Lala’s eyebrows arched. ‘You and me? I’m flattered, but don’t you think that’s a terrible idea? We don’t exactly thrive when we spend all of our time together. A night here and there is more than enough. Besides, I’m a cop. That’s all I ever wanted to be, and that’s still what I want to be.’

‘I know. I like you as a cop. I wasn’t talking about you.’

She looked somewhat crestfallen. ‘Then who?’

Cab nodded at the girl on the balcony, who continued to stare dreamily at the Gulf waters.

‘Peach?’ Lala asked.

‘Peach,’ Cab said. ‘What do you think?’

‘Actually, I think it’s a great idea. Have you talked to her about it?’

‘No, not yet. Will you put in a good word for me?’

‘I will.’

They kissed again. Lala turned for the balcony and left him alone. He knew she would stay the night, and he would leave with her in the morning, and life, which had been on hold for a while, would begin again.

Lala slid open the patio door and went outside and closed it behind her. He watched the two women together, Lala and Peach. There was something close there, an intimacy of friendship, an easy familiarity. Peach hugged her. Lala smiled, and he saw genuine affection in her smile. Lala had a big family, and Peach had no family at all, but the thing about big families was that there was always room for one more.

Then there was himself and his mother.

‘Penny for your thoughts,’ Tarla said.

Cab jumped. He hadn’t heard her arrive. His mother still had the ability to appear miraculously at his side out of nowhere. ‘A penny?’ he said. ‘You can afford more.’

‘I’m retired on a fixed income, darling. I’m economizing. Anyway, you look happy. Is something wrong?’

‘Oh, it just occurred to me,’ he said, pointing at Lala and Peach, ‘that those two women are likely to be in my life for a long time.’

‘Well, I hate to ruin the moment for you,’ Tarla replied, ‘but so will I.’

‘Despite my best efforts?’

‘I’m afraid so.’

‘Just so you know, I’m going back to Naples with Lala tomorrow,’ he said.

‘Finally! No offense, darling, but you were starting to get on my nerves.’

She winked at him and patted his cheek. He looked momentarily dismayed, but then he smiled. Tarla was Tarla and would never change. She was dressed to kill, as she always was. She was beautiful, as she always was. The drive between Naples and Clearwater didn’t take long in the Corvette. They still had things to talk about and things to work out.

‘I have to go annoy the chef,’ she said. ‘Try to stay out of trouble until I get back.’