“And you are a dirty old broad. Is that a yes?”

She slid one of the patio chairs closer to the table. “Of course it is. Did you bring a change of clothes for church tomorrow?”

“I wasn’t planning on going to church tomorrow.”

“Well, change your plans, mister. We can stop at your place in the morning. But...” She walked to him and he slid his arm around her waist. “Do you think it might be time to start keeping more things here?”

“Why, Victoria Pendergast, are you asking me to move in with you?”

Her eyes went wide. Was she?

“Well...what would you think about that?”

“I won’t be a kept man, Vickie.” His eyes sparkled with laughter, but then he grew serious. “I know your place is bigger than mine. And fancier. And on the water. But my house is where my kids grew up. I don’t know if I want to part with it. I guess we could rent it.” He looked around the deck. “Or rent this...”

“Are you suggesting we move into your house?” He was a contractor, so of course he had a beautiful home. Smaller and simpler than the home Malcolm bought for Vickie all those years ago. Located in town, not far from the Taggart Inn. It would be a big change for her, but moving would be a big step for Gordy, too. She finally went on her tiptoes to give him a soft kiss.

“Sounds like we have some decisions to make, but they don’t need to be made today. We have all the time in the world, right?”

He pretended to think about that. “Well, you are seventy, so maybe not all the time in the world...”

“Thanks, smart-ass. Go get the table umbrella, funny guy.” She smacked his shoulder, then headed into the house. She was shocked to realize she was actually considering leaving this place. Her heart belonged wherever he was. In the end, this was just a building. And Gordy was the man she loved.

ZOEY STOOD ON the front porch as Mike’s Mustang came rumbling up the driveway with Hazel in the passenger seat. It was a sight she hadn’t prepared herself for—her two hearts together. Hazel had tried to explain why she had to meet Mike at Vickie’s place to apologize. She’d said she didn’t want anyone listening in, and she especially didn’t want to do it in front of Zoey or Chris. Hazel said that would make her nervous. But Zoey was glad Mike was here because she really needed to talk to him, and it had nothing to do with their relationship. A relationship she still had on hard Pause. A relationship she missed desperately, but was terrified to start again.

Hazel’s eyes were bright and shining, her hair wild around her face when Mike stopped the souped-up car. She saw Zoey and jumped out of the car.