It was the first time Grace had seen Anna under full steam, and she was both impressed and baffled. ‘‘I thought you just said you were going to make some changes and you were going to let me go.’’

‘‘I’m thinking about getting some new pillows and having the sofa re-covered,’’ Anna said impatiently, ‘‘not losing the person I already realize I’m going to depend on for my sanity around here. Do you think I didn’t know who made sure I didn’t come home to a houseful of dishes and laundry and dust? Do I look like an idiot to you?’’

‘‘No, I . . .’’ The beginnings of a smile flirted at Grace’s mouth. ‘‘I worked my tail off so you’d notice.’’

‘‘Okay.’’ Anna let out a breath. ‘‘Why don’t we sit down and start over?’’

‘‘That’d be good. I’m sorry.’’

‘‘For?’’

‘‘For all the nasty things I let myself think about you over the last few days.’’ She smiled fully as she sat down. ‘‘I forgot how much I liked you.’’

‘‘I’m outnumbered around here, Grace. I could sure use another woman. I don’t know exactly how these things are done, and since I’m the outsider here—’’

‘‘You’re not an outsider.’’ Grace all but gaped in shock. ‘‘You’re Cam’s wife.’’

‘‘And you’ve been a part of his life, of all their lives, a great deal longer.’’ She turned her hands palms up, smiled. ‘‘Let’s get this one thing out of the way so we can forget it. Whatever you’ve been doing around here works just fine for me. I appreciate knowing you’re doing it so I can concentrate on my marriage, on Seth, and on my job. Are we clear there?’’

‘‘Yeah.’’

‘‘And since my instincts tell me you’re a kind, understanding person, I’m going to confess that I need you a lot more than you need me. And throw myself on your mercy.’’

The quick, easy laugh made shallow dimples flicker in Grace’s cheeks. ‘‘I don’t think there’s anything you couldn’t do.’’

‘‘Maybe not, but I swear to God I don’t want to be Wonder Woman. Don’t leave me alone with all these men.’’

Grace nibbled on her lip for a moment. ‘‘If you’re going to have the living room sofa redone, you’ll need new curtains.’’

‘‘I was thinking priscillas.’’

They beamed at each other, in perfect accord.

‘‘Mama! Gotta pee!’’

‘‘Oh.’’ Grace sprang up and scooped a frantically dancing Aubrey into her arms. ‘‘We’ll be right back.’’

Anna had a good chuckle, then rose, stripped off her jacket, and prepared to start her sauce. This kind of cooking—the familiar, the dependable—relaxed her. And since she had no doubt that it would earn her points with the Quinn men when they got home, she intended to enjoy herself.