“You thought all this up on your own?”

“Yep.” He looked extremely proud of himself. “I talked to Norah’s father a couple months back about flying out, but as I said, having you join us was a spur-of-the-moment idea. Norah’s going to be thrilled.”

To say that Norah was thrilled—or surprised—was putting it mildly. As Rowdy had predicted, David Bloomfield arrived within minutes of her and Rowdy. They’d waited in the driveway for him, and the three of them walked into the house together.

Rowdy stood in the entryway and, his eyes twinkling, called, “Norah, I’m home!”

Norah appeared and Rowdy threw open his arms. “Happy birthday!” he shouted and stepped aside to reveal David Bloomfield and Sherry, standing directly behind him.

“Daddy!” Norah cried, enthusiastically hugging her father first. “Sherry!” Norah wrapped both arms around her, eyes bright with tears.

“You thought I forgot your birthday, didn’t you?” Rowdy crowed.

Norah wiped the tears from her face and nodded. “I really did. I had the most miserable day. The kids were both fussy, and I felt like I’d moved to the ends of the earth and everyone had forgotten me.”

“This is a long way from Orchard Valley,” her father said, putting his arm around his youngest daughter, “but it isn’t the end of the earth—although I think I can see it from here.”

Norah chuckled. “Oh, Dad, that’s an old joke.”

“You laughed, didn’t you?”

“Come on in and make yourselves comfortable,” Rowdy invited, ushering them into the living room. “I certainly hope you didn’t go to any trouble for dinner,” he said to Norah.

“No. I was feeling sorry for myself and thought we’d order pizza. It’s been that kind of day.”

“Good—” Rowdy paused and looked at his watch “—because the caterer should get here in about ten minutes.”

Norah was floored. “Is there anything else I should know about?”

“This?” He removed a little velvet box from his pocket, then put it back. “Think I’ll save that for later when we’re alone.”

David laughed and glanced around. “Now, where are those precious grandchildren of mine?”

“Sleeping. They’re both exhausted. But if you promise to be quiet, I’ll take you upstairs for a peek. How long are you staying? A week, I hope.”

David and Sherry followed Norah upstairs and tiptoed into the children’s rooms. Sherry was fond of David Bloomfield and loved watching his reaction as he looked at his grandchildren. Sherry remembered several years back, when David had suffered a heart attack and almost died. His recovery had been nothing short of miraculous.

By the time they came back downstairs, the caterer was there and the table had been set for an elegant dinner. The candles were lit, the appetizers served and champagne poured.

“Rowdy did this once before,” Norah said, reaching for her husband’s hand. Rowdy brought her fingers to his mouth and brushed his lips over them. “He wanted something from me then. Dinner was all part of a bribe to get me to leave Orchard Valley and be his private nurse.”