He finished chewing before he spoke. “It’s all because of Dad. He wanted to be told everyone’s business. Today I got the idea that people expect me to take over everyone’s problems and to solve them. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’ve got to see The Godfather.”

“A woman’s movie about christenings?”

“No, not quite. I’m sure my mother made the pie.”

“So she was in on this? She knew we’d come here and...and...?”

“Hoped is more like it. She hopes you and I will elope and I’ll be pregnant by Christmas. With triplets.”

“She wants them to hold you in place?”

“Exactly!” Vera got up to get the apple pie. Pretending it wasn’t of monumental importance, she said, “So what are you going to do? And when?”

“O ye of little faith,” he said. “Tomorrow I’ll show you my photos.” He hesitated. “I know Africa is far away, but I feel like I belong there. The people need me and that’s a powerful connection.”

“Very powerful,” she murmured, her eyes never leaving his.

Adam sighed. “If it were up to me, I’d go tomorrow. Tonight even, but I’ve got to get Robbie settled. We have to take care of the youngsters in our life. You and Kelly, me and my hardheaded, disaster-loving brother. Are we agreed on this?”

Vera could only nod.

He leaned forward. “You really want to go, don’t you?”

“More than you can imagine. At work I envy my clients with all my heart. They fly to places I’ve read about but I can’t go. I—”

He kissed her. “I know. You’ve sacrificed yourself for your family. We should put a plaque up for you. Or maybe a statue.”

“It’s what had to be done.”

“My house in Africa, if you can call it that, has a dirt floor. I saw hyenas. They—”

“Save the animals for Kelly. What’s the hierarchy of the tribe? Or do they let you know that? Tell me the politics. How are the women treated? Did you—?”

He smiled. “Slow down and come here, and I’ll try to answer all your questions.”

CHAPTER TWO

Kelly yelled at Adam until she saw his truck drive away. But maybe she was shouting in anger at both of them. With Adam’s reappearance, everything was going to change. She had an idea that Adam would want to stay until the end of summer and of course Vera would agree. But then, her sister would do/say/agree to anything if it got her out of Kansas.

Kelly nuzzled against the big horse. She knew him well, as he was ill last summer and she’d been the one to sleep in the stall with him.