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"Then what’s the occasion?"

Her daughter’s eyes ide "I’ to ask me to marry hi her dis last week about Andrew and Courtney’s wedding, he told e and family"

"Family is iree on practically everything--family, church, politics Those are the important subjects, don’t you think?" Annie searched Bethanne’s face for confirle comment on the subject doesn’t entle, but inside she hter’s naiveté She didn’t want Annie to set herself up for disappointrew her protective instincts, she realized

"Oh, I know, but Nicole saw him at a jewelry store in the University District It only s Why else does a guy go to a jeweler?"

For any nu herself to burst her daughter’s bubble "When’s the hot date?"

"Friday night"

"Fabulous I hope everything works out" Either way--engagement or not--she had concerns, but this wasn’t the time to discuss them

"Thanks, Mom" Annie just about skipped down the hall toward her own office

"Annie," Bethanne called out, stopping her "I have a bit of newsher eyes

"When I saw your grand to drive to Florida next week I’ve decided to go with her"

Annie’sto Florida?"

Bethanne laughed "Don’t say it like that We’re two randmother’s wanted to make a road trip across the country nearly her entire adult life, and for one reason or another it’s always been put off She’s detero alone"

"What about Aunt Robin?" As soon as the words were out, Annie shook her head "Never mind Aunt Robin wouldn’t take the time for that"

Bethanne nodded "It was a…sudden decision"

"What about the business?" Annie nodded in the direction of the conference roo

"Julia can handle whatever comes up in the next feeeks," Bethanne said calmly "I’ll be accessible by phone and email, if she really needsoff on the spur of the ot a lot to think about right now, and this will give h my options"

"Does Dad know?"

"Not yet," Bethanne said, waving as she hurried to the conference roorand with Julia was abbreviated due to the arrival of the ers Afterward, Julia and Bethanne parted with a pro day When she finally made it back to her office to return phone calls, Bethanne saved Grant’s for last The commercial real estate market was still depressed across the country, but it had recently started to pick up in the Seattle area As the broker in charge of one of his conificant responsibilities

His assistant connected her irateful to hear froht to the point; they were both busy people

"Tellbusinesswoman?"

Bethanne smiled "I believe she inherited her talent from you"

"I don’t know about that," Grant countered "You’re the business powerhouse these days"

Grant had always been skilled ateveryone feel special--like the most important person in the room--and it had served hi that char he hadn’t done in years

"I called about dinner on Friday You never did say if you were available"

She didn’t need a reminder; his invitation had been on her o to that little Mexican restaurant we used to like soher silence as hesitation

"They’re still at the sahed nervously "What do you say? You and me, for old times’ sake?"

Bethanne closed her eyes, her knuckles white around the receiver She was decidedly tired of that expression "Not all our old times were that happy, Grant"