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“You did. When did this happen? How was it? How do youfeel?”

“Two days ago, fabulous and embarrassingly happy. I invited himover so I could explain why I’d had the freak-out. We talked and then one thingled to the other.” She sighed. “It was great. He stayed the night. He had toleave early to get home before Isaiah woke up, then he called me about fifteentimes.” She pointed to a big bouquet of flowers. “Those were delivered yesterdayand we’re having dinner tomorrow.”

“You’re floating.”

“I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground, but it’s hard.” Shelowered her voice. “He’s really nice.”

“I’m glad.” Violet meant it. One of them should have asuccessful love life.

* * *

Jenna was surprised when her father walked into herstore later that week. It was early afternoon and there were only a fewcustomers.

“You’re an unexpected treat,” she said, crossing to him.

“I thought I’d come by and see how things were working out.” Heglanced around the space. “Very nice. You’re busy?”

“Most of the time. We’re doing several cooking classes a week.They’re turning out to be popular. We’ve also been selling a lot of food.Supplies for the recipes we make in the class.”

She doubted hearing those details was why he’d stopped by. “Ifyou’re here thinking you can pick up something for Mom’s birthday next month, Ican’t help. She’s pretty much bought everything she already wants.”

He smiled. “One of the things I love about your mother. Shegoes after what she wants.” The smile faded. “I’m not here to talk about herbirthday.”

She waited, knowing her father would get to the point when hewas ready.

He glanced around, as if making sure they couldn’t beoverheard, then said, “I’m worried about her.”

“Mom?”

He nodded. “She hasn’t been herself for a while now. HavingViolet stay with us helped, but now with her gone...”

“She’s seemed fine to me,” Jenna said, even as she rememberedBeth overhearing her say she missed Serenity. Her stomach tightened.

“She hasn’t said much to me,” he admitted. “I’m guessing here,but I know her pretty well. These last weeks have been hard on her.”

Jenna put her hands on her hips. “This is so unfair. She’s theone who encouraged me to get to know my birth parents. If you remember, sheinvited them over for brunch, where we all played happy family. Now she’s madthat Serenity and I are getting along?”

“She’s not mad. She’s hurt and confused. I tried to warn her,but she wouldn’t listen.”

“What did you warn her about?”

“Getting involved. Beth never thought she wouldfeel...threatened.”

Jenna dropped her hands to her sides. “There’s nothingthreatening her. Regardless of my relationship with Serenity, she’s my mom. Sheraised me. I love her.”

“You’re using logic. Your mother gets it in her head. It’s herheart that’s bruised.”

The tension in her stomach increased. “I don’t want herupset.”

He shrugged.

Part of her wanted to stomp her foot and point out that if Bethhad had her way, she would have given birth to several children and Jenna wouldhave been expected to share her parents with them. But she knew that was a weakargument at best.

“She hasn’t said anything.”

“She wouldn’t,” Marshall reminded her. “Part of the problem isshe really does want you to have a good relationship with Serenity. That’simportant to her. But I think she’s feeling left out. When was the last time youdid something together? Just the two of you?”

“It’s been a while, but that goes both ways. She could havesuggested something.”

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