Gina laughed. “I’m something, that’s for sure. I told them I was still interviewing for the stateside job. It’s kind of nice, though, to have a bidding war over you.”

  “Just so long as I don’t have to bid.”

  “Never.”

  “Good to know. Do you want to go to London?”

  “I’m pretty sure I don’t want to. I think things will become clearer for me after the interview.”

  “Why do you say that?” Did Mary let it slip that she was visiting?

  “I don’t know,” Gina said. “I just have a feeling that once I’m through that, I’ll have a clearer idea about what I should do. You can learn a lot from an interview.”

  Meg leaned back in her desk chair, relieved. She didn’t appear to know about her visit. “Okay,” she said. “Here I am, the stateside interviewer and I think you’re the best thing ever and I offer you the job right there. What do you say?”

  “That I need the weekend to think about it and I’ll get back to you Monday.” She sounded like she’d already rehearsed that answer.

  “Do you have a deadline on deciding for the London thing?”

  “Kind of. They want to know toward the end of next week, since my leave is up around then. I can push it to the week after, but they really want to get somebody in position for it. Which I totally understand. But I’m feeling a little pressured. They really like me, and they like the work I do. But I’m just not feeling it. I just—things changed for me after the bombing. No, that’s not quite right. I was already thinking about leaving. The bombing just accelerated the process.” She chuckled. “It kind of accelerated a lot of processes.”

  “Well, if it helps, whatever you decide, I support. I can’t say I’ll be thrilled if you go overseas, but we’ll figure it out,” Meg said, getting the words out before she second-guessed herself.

  “That means a lot to me. I’d like to talk to you a bit more about this, but I think after the interview is better for it, because I’ll have a clearer idea of what’s involved with that job. Is that okay?”

  “That’s totally fine with me. You know how I get with this deep stuff.” Meg injected a little bit of teasing into her tone to lighten the mood.

  “You’re doing fine. Better than fine. And holy hell, I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too.”

  “After the interview, I want to talk about a visit.” Gina sighed. “Shit. That might have to wait until after Monday. Those meetings are going to deal with schedules and they’ll shed more light on this London thing. So Monday night I’ll call you and we’ll figure out a visit.”

  Meg bit her lip to keep from blurting her surprise. “That would be great. I’ll come out there again, if it’s easier.”

  “No decisions about that until Monday. But thinking about seeing you again makes me—hell, I don’t have the words. Happy doesn’t even get close to how I feel. Anyway. How are you? How was work?”

  Meg smiled. Gina had always done that with her, asked about her day. She liked how it felt, how something as simple as that served as a connection, even miles apart. She gave Gina the rundown, and by the time they signed off thirty minutes later, it was all Meg could do not to tell Gina that she’d see her in a couple of days. Still smiling, she went to retrieve Moonshine from the back yard.

  “Hey, Meg. I just wanted to check in with you about the plan.” Mary put an emphasis on “plan” that made it sound clandestine. “Since it’s, you know, the day before you actually get here.”

  “Cool.” Meg checked her watch. Another ten minutes before her next appointment. “Nothing’s changed on my end with my flight schedule. I’ll be in Fort Collins tonight staying with a friend and then tomorrow I’m having lunch there with some colleagues and then I’ll drive to Denver. Text or call if you need to get in touch with me before the flight.”

  “Okay. So here’s what’s going down here. Gina’s flying in from LAX—” she stopped and laughed. “You probably already have her flight schedule, since I’m sure she told you. Whatever. Let’s pretend we’re Mission Impossible and we have to get this right. She gets in at one. Our folks are picking her up. Then around six or so we’re having the pre-Fourth dinner at my grandparents’ house.”

  “Are you sure it’s okay for me to crash that party?”

  “Oh, my God. Did you seriously just ask me that?”

  “Sorry,” she said, sheepish.

  “Everybody is so psyched to see you. And you’ve been to our dinners. Like one more makes a difference.”

  “Okay. So how many people know I’m coming?”

  “Practically everybody except Gina, and even though we’re loud and Italian, we can keep secrets like this like we’re in the damn resistance or something and smuggling you over the border to Switzerland. Or some shit like that. Seriously. Don’t worry. Gina has no idea, and it’s going to be the coolest fucking surprise ever.”

  Meg grinned. “Do I have to jump out of a cake?”

  “No, but save that idea for future surprises. I’m sure she’d love it. Anyway, I’ll pick you up and we’ll go right to my grandparents’. From there, we’ll sneak around until we can go in for maximum surprise factor.” Mary was practically giggling. “So stoked. I’m so glad you got a wild hair. And she’s been super-bummed that she doesn’t get to go to Wyoming next weekend like she’d planned, so this will totally fix that.” She stopped. “Gotta run. I’m at work. Anyway, let me know when you’re boarding tomorrow and when you land. See you soon!”

  She signed off and Meg put her phone in her back pocket. She’d be headed down to Fort Collins in a couple of hours. She went out front, where Ginny gave her a look and a self-satisfied smile.

  Meg was about to respond when Mark came in from the back.

  “Hey, Meg, can you do me a favor? I’ve got an emergency to deal with and I need someone to take care of ’scripts for my next two appointments. You’ve seen them a couple times before. Just refills and check-overs.”

  “Sure.”

  He looked at Sandra. “Can you squeeze them into Meg’s schedule?”

  “Already doing it,” she said.

  “Thanks.” He gave Meg a relieved look. “Hope you don’t have to stay too late. And if I don’t see you, have a great trip.” He hurried into the back and Meg looked over at Ginny.

  “Do I have no secrets, either?”

  “No,” Sandra answered. “And we’re all dying to know what happens next.” She fluttered her eyelashes. “I’d like all the guys I date to take romance lessons from you and Gina. Do you think you could start some workshops?”

  Meg stared and behind her, Kelly snorted a laugh. Ginny pretended to be absorbed in reading something. “I’ll for sure run it by her,” Meg said, trying to keep a poker face. “In the meantime, how about letting me know who I’m seeing for Mark?”

  Sandra handed the files to her. “One feline, one canine. You’ve seen the canine once this year and the feline once last fall.”

  Meg looked through the files and handed them back when Haley appeared from the back.

  “Hey, Doc T. Ready when you are for the next one.”

  “Okay. Be right there.”

  “Oh, and Sandra—”

  Sandra looked up at Haley.

  “If Doc T and Gina can’t do those workshops, Beth and I will,” she deadpanned before she retreated into the back.

  Sandra burst out laughing.

  “Oh, my Lord,” Ginny said with a gasp as her own shoulders shook with laughter.

  Meg shook her head, but laughed, too. “There, see? Bases covered.” And she followed Haley into the back.

  Chapter 34

  The plane banked for its landing at the Sacramento airport and Meg drummed her fingers on her thigh, wishing for it to just land, already. She’d enjoyed not having to rush to get to the airport this time, and not having to worry that she was covered with the detritus of work. She wore clean jeans, a pair of Vans sneakers, and the Hawaiian shirt Gina had given her five years earlier. She toyed with one of the buttons and watched out the window as the plane descended over California’s Central Valley.

  Her rowmate in the aisle seat looked like a businessman, and he’d spent most of the flight working on a laptop, which he’d closed as they’d begun their descent and placed it on the empty middle seat. He looked Latino, Meg decided, and she wondered what line of work he was in. He’d worn headphones most of the flight, so they didn’t chat, though he smiled in greeting and handed her the cup of coffee the flight attendant brought to her.

  The plane dipped and Meg heard the thunk and whoosh that meant the landing gear was down. She wiped her palms on her jeans and stared out the window again, wondering what sorts of things she’d done right to bring her to this place, fifteen thousand feet above Sacramento, and that much closer to Gina’s embrace. She glanced over at her row mate. He had his eyes shut and head leaned back against the seat. She went back to staring out the window, watching the myriad structures below rush closer.

  Ten minutes later the plane taxied to its jetway and the struggle to disembark filled the cabin. Meg texted Mary to let her know she’d landed and then she waited for her row mate to get his bag from the overhead bin before she did the same. She traveled this time with a small black duffle with the DR logo in gold on its face, which made it easy to pick out of a crowd if she had to check it. She chafed at how long it seemed to take for people to gather their things and exit, but she reminded herself that she’d be off the plane soon enough and to just relax. A few minutes later, her row mate stepped into the aisle and she followed.

  She hit the bathroom on her way to the airport exit then checked her phone. Mary had texted back and told her to just follow the signs to ground transportation and text her when she was outside. She’d meet her there, driving a black Jetta. Meg made her way down to the lower level and exited through the automatic doors into Sacramento’s air, the smell of exhaust and asphalt lingering in the diminishing heat from the day. She texted Mary and approached the curb for a vantage point where she could look for Mary’s car.

  Excitement fluttered in her chest. She’d fibbed in her response text earlier that day to Gina, and told her that she had to work a little late but she’d call as soon as she could so Gina could tell her how the interview went. Better yet, Meg thought with a smile, I’ll just fly my ass out to California so you can tell me in person.

  A black Jetta approached, then swooped to the curb nearby and Mary practically jumped out before the car came to a complete stop.

  “Oh, my God. You look fantastic!” Mary came around the front of the car and pulled Meg into a bear hug, nearly knocking the wind out of her.

  “So do you,” Meg said with a gasp. A hug from Mary was like getting a hug from a professional wrestler. She’d inherited the Morelli build—short and broad—unlike Gina, who displayed more of the Giordano side in her slightly taller, leaner frame. Of all the sisters, though, Meg thought Mary looked the most like Gina.

  Mary released her. “Here, put your bag in the back seat.” She opened the door and Meg dutifully did as instructed before getting into the passenger seat up front and buckling her seat belt. “So the flight was okay?” Mary asked as she also buckled up.

  “Great. Mellow.”

  Mary pulled away from the curb, talking a mile a minute. Just like old times, Meg thought, as she laughed at Mary’s observations about Gina.

  “Oh, my God, she hasn’t said much about the interview, but she did say it went well. She’s a little tired and cranky, probably because she hasn’t talked to you yet since you’re working late, and all.” Mary giggled. “Mom is totally excited and Nonna is making baked ziti in your honor.”

  Meg looked over at her. “Really? For me?” She loved Gina’s grandma’s ziti.

  “Duh.” Mary smiled. “I told you. We love you. And Nonna said, after you and Gina broke up, that you’d be back. She didn’t say anything to Gina, but she told Mom and Angelica that you’d be back. They, of course, told me and Grace.”

  Meg looked out the windshield, an odd warp in time rippling through her chest.

  “And though she is tired and sort of cranky, Gina is totally goofy over you,” Mary continued. “It’s beyond great. And it is so good to see you! How are you?”

  “I’m doing well. Even better since your sister kept after me.”

  Mary laughed and maneuvered through traffic before responding. “You two were meant to be together. And don’t forget that, dammit.”

  Meg grinned. As Mary aged, she looked even more like Gina, though her features would probably always be a bit softer than her older sister’s. Her cheekbones weren’t as defined as Gina’s but Mary had similar dark eyes that twinkled when she teased. And the structure of her nose and forehead reminded Meg of Gina. Mary, however, had always worn her hair short. Today it was spiked almost straight up. She wore silver hoop earrings and a feminine pink sleeveless blouse tucked into tan shorts.

  “Oh, we got another care package from your dad and Alice,” Mary continued. “Cookies, jerky, rock candy. There were a couple bundles of fresh sage in there for Nonna. Mom did manage to save some of Alice’s cookies from this one for Gina, too. Your dad and Alice are the bomb. I love the DR.” Mary exited off Interstate 5 onto westbound Del Paso Road and stopped at a light. “So are you ready?” Mary asked.

  “Well, you know I’m kind of the reserved, quiet rancher-type. How do you think I’ll do?”

  “Like you were meant to be there,” she said with another grin. “I am so excited. Gina is going to—this is going to be beyond cool.” The light turned green and she accelerated, steering the car into the left-hand lane so she could eventually turn south. They drove in silence, much to Meg’s amazement, for a while toward the outskirts of the city before they arrived at the turnoff that would take them to the Giordano farm. Mary pulled off the road when they were halfway there but left the car running.

  “Hold on,” she said. “Let me text one of our co-conspirators.” Her thumbs flew over the screen of her iPhone. She finished and sat back. “Too bad we won’t be coming in under cover of darkness.”

  “Should I get in the back and hide?” Meg teased.

  “Hmm.” Mary appeared to give that serious consideration. “Nah. They’re going to make sure Gina’s not near any windows that face the drive.” Her phone made a weird little whistle and she checked it.

  “Cool. Grace says to drive on up. They’ve got Gina in the kitchen drinking wine with Angelica and Nonna.” She paused. “I’m sure it’s not the bad wine. Oh, God, that was funny, Meg. Mom still laughs about that. Anyway, Gina won’t be able to hear the car, though she’ll hear the dogs barking. But she knows I’m coming, so no biggie. They’ll keep her in the kitchen while everybody gets set up.”

  “Wait. Set up?” The butterflies in Meg’s stomach started dive-bombing each other.

  “Well, yeah. Like a surprise party kind of thing. Don’t worry. All you have to do is show up.” She moved her eyebrows up and down. “We do surprises right, girlfriend.”

  “I now see where Gina gets her instigator streak,” Meg said with a nervous laugh.

  “Damn right. It’s on both sides of the family.” Mary put the car in gear and continued toward the farmhouse. The huge circular driveway was filled with cars and she pulled up behind a blue minivan. A big black lab and two smaller mixed breeds bounded over, the smaller dogs yipping and wiggling.

  “I don’t think you’ve met this crew. The lab is Max and the fat little dog is Ralphie. His brother is Richie,” Mary said. “So you can yell at them if they annoy you.” She smiled and opened her door. Ralphie and Richie immediately appeared, wiggling and whining with canine excitement. “Out of the way, guys,” she said as she got out.

  Meg got out, too, and Max gave her a sniffing onceover.

  “You must smell like doggie date night,” Mary said as all three dogs suddenly converged on Meg and began sniffing.

  “Goes with the territory. Hi, guys.” Meg gave them each some pats, making soothing noises though her heart was pounding a mile a minute. Gina was inside. Just steps away.

  “Ready?” Mary asked, eyes sparkling. She didn’t wait for Meg’s response and instead started walking toward the house. Meg followed, much to the dogs’ disappointment, as her movements interrupted their investigation of all the smells on her shoes and pants. She wiped her palms on her jeans before she walked up the steps to the wide covered porch a couple paces behind Mary. The inside door was open, the only barrier between her and Gina a screen door through which she heard voices and laughing. The odors of fresh bread and tomato sauce also greeted her, and she inhaled, remembering the first time Gina had brought her here, a few months after they’d started dating. August, just before Meg had to go back to school. That was the first time she’d had Luisa Giordano’s baked ziti, and Gina’s grandmother had told her, in broken English, that she made Gina happy, so she would cook something good for Meg.

  Meg paused at the top of the porch steps, awash in memories and excitement, and before Mary was close enough to open the screen door, Marcella pushed it open with enough force that had it hit Mary, it would have hurt. Marcella beckoned Mary to go in first, and then she fixed her gaze on Meg, and a smile broke across her features, like the sun coming out after a rainy day.

  “Buona sera, Meg,” she said, the laugh lines at the corners of her eyes crinkling with her smile.

  “Hi, Mrs.—Marcella. It’s really good to see you.”

  “It’s so good to see you. Come in,” she directed with the warm authority of an Italian matriarch. “Inside. Gina only thinks Mary is here. And we made sure she got the good wine.” She laughed, and it reminded Meg of Gina.

  Meg stepped inside, and into another time warp. The American colonial-style furnishings remained where Meg remembered them last, nice complements to the dark stained wood floors of the historic farmhouse. Even the curtains at the windows hadn’t changed—at least not that she could tell—heavy red winter drapes tied aside while filmy white lacy affairs fluttered in the breezes through the open windows. She stood, staring, and it was like walking into the kitchen at the ranch. Warm, smelling delicious, and filled with love and laughter.

 

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