aThank you, Toni. That was a wonderful evening. It was a thoughtful thing you did,a Allie said as they strolled down the avenue.

aMy pleasure. I know you love art. However, the night is not over, Mrs. Sanders.a Toni pulled Allie into a bistro.

The restaurant was cozy and warm as they sat at a table by the window. aSo when does Paul get back froma"New York was it?a Toni asked as she ate the decadent chocolate cake.

aTomorrow,a Allie said. aAnd I feel guilty.a aWhy? Youare not doing anything wrong.a aI know. I feel guilty I havenat really thought about Paul for two days. But he had to see some big client. I donat know.a Toni had the fork in her mouth and took it out slowly.

aHeas been working so much lately. Iam afraid heall have a stroke. He comes home late, so tired sometimes.a She watched Toni, who shrugged but said nothing.

aYouare trying to be nice and not tell me you hear the irritation in my voice. And youare hesitant to ask because youare not sure if you wanted to get into a discussion about my marriage.a Allie looked at Toni. aRight?a Toni laughed. aRight. But I am here for you. So say whatever you like. Heas trying to make a good life for you.a Allie groaned loudly. aWe have a good life. We have two kids that we put through college, who are normal well-adjusted people, both of whom Iam extremely proud. We have a nice house, a nice car, a nice nest egg, a nonexistent s.e.x life...a Tonias eyes widened, her fork still in her mouth.

Allie gazed out the window, then took a deep breath of resignation, and looked at Toni. aYou look like an owl with a fork in its mouth.a All of a sudden, Allie started to laugh. aYou should see your face.a Toni now started chuckling. Soon, both women tried to contain their laughter. aWell, you shocked the s.h.i.t out of me, woman.a Toni wheezed as she dried her eyes.

Allie banged on the table in a fit of laughter. In a few moments, the wave of hysteria died. Allie dried her eyes. aG.o.d, that felt good. Thank you.a aYouare welcome. Laughter is good for the soul,a she agreed. aCan I finish my cake now?a aYes, you may.a Allie sighed happily and sat back.

Toni ate the remainder of her dessert in silence, stealing a glance at Allie as she stared out the window once again. aWhatcha thinking about?a she asked softly as she drank her coffee.

aOh, I donat know,a Allie said in a pensive voice. aWhen you were young, did you ever think what youad be doing when you were fifty?a aYep. I thought Iad be dead.a Allie laughed and stirred her coffee. aIam serious.a aSo am I,a Toni said. aI never thought Iad live to be fifty. As a kid, when my folks were fifty, I thought they were so old. I never thought Iad be that old.a Allie nodded in agreement. aAnd look at us now.a aNo s.h.i.t. Weare just two old fogies, schoolmarm,a Toni said with a wide grin. aI feel like it in the morning, let me tell you.a aToo much flag football?a Allie asked with a teasing grin.

aNo, smart a.s.s. Fighting too many fires.a Toni stared at her coffee cup.

aWere you ever hurt?a Allie quelled the urge to reach over and brush the wayward lock of hair off her brow.

aI almost quit the department about eight years ago. I was in a relationship, and we used to argue about me being a firefighter. And to answer your question. Yes, the snake woman you met.a aWas it too dangerous a job for her?a Allie prodded.

Toni let out a rude snort. aGina was not worried about my health. Her worries were more along the lines of appearance. Being a woman and a firefighter didnat look good to her family and friends.a aI donat get it.a Toni laughed quietly. aGina came from money, scads of money. Tons of money. So much moneya"a aCut to the chase, OaHara,a Allie said dryly.

Toni laughed once again. aIt was not refined. She wanted me to quit.a Allie gaped at her. aAnd you thought about it?a aG.o.d no, but it was weighing heavily on my mind, and I wasnat focused. Thatas not good when fighting fires. I paid for it,a Toni said with a shrug.

aHow bad?a Allie asked. For some reason, seeing Tonias strong body in pain made her stomach clench.

aI zigged when I should have zagged,a Toni said with a grin. She stopped when she saw the serious look on Allieas face. aI took a wrong turn on a stairwell and fell through to the first floor. Broke a leg, an ankle, a few ribs, and my wrist.a She stopped and shrugged. aYou see, Alana, a fire is a living thing. And when you donat give it the respect it deserves, it will let you know. But Iam fine now. Bones heal.a aWhat happened to Gina?a Allie drank her coffee.

aShe neveraa aNever what?a Allie asked softly.

Toni looked into her eyes and smiled sadly. aShe never came to visit me in the hospital. I was in for two weeks, then home convalescing for a few more. Iam not a baby, and I donat need to be taken care of, but s.h.i.taa She shrugged. aAnyway, when I told her I wasnat going to quit, she had enough.a aShe didnat deserve you.a aThanks, but I can be a pain in the a.r.s.e. Come on, Iall take you home before I spill my stupid guts about my entire life.a Toni hailed the waiter.

aWould that be so bad?a Allie asked.

aYes,a Toni a.s.sured her with a laugh and pulled Allie out of her seat. aBesides, I have a busy day tomorrow and a date tomorrow night, so I need my rest.a Allie stopped and looked up at the laughing gray eyes but said nothing. Toni c.o.c.ked her head. aWhat?a aNothing. Whoas the lucky woman?a she asked as they walked to the car.

aRemember Miss Flag Football on Sat.u.r.day?a Toni wriggled her eyebrows.

aThe prep.u.b.escent blonde?a Toni laughed heartily. aIall have to remember that one. Yes, her. So you see where I need my sleep?a Allie laughed along and slipped into the car. aDonat forget the Geritol.a

Chapter 8.

Toni tried to peel Carol off her body. aCarol, Carol, I need to breathe, sweetie,a she said in a coa.r.s.e voice.

Carol lifted her lips from Tonias and pulled back, grinning. She then kissed Tonias soft firm breast, her teeth raking across the hard nipple.

aAhh!a Toni cried out as Carolas fingers traveled south.

Toni instinctively parted her legs as Carol quickly entered her. Toni arched her back in surprise, her hips moving in rhythm. She sighed and closed her eyes. Suddenly, once again, and for the umpteenth time in the past few weeks, Alanaas face crowded her mind. d.a.m.n it. Go away, she begged inwardly.

It was no use. As she neared o.r.g.a.s.m, Alana was the one making love to hera"it was Alanaas face she saw. Alanaas body she felt pressing close to her.

aYes!a Toni cried out as her body shuddered. She arched her back and cried out, aG.o.d, Alana!a *******

Well, that went well, Toni thought now as she remembered her blunder. Never had she seen a woman so angry. Toni OaHara had been slugged before for various reasons. Never had anyone hit her square in the face like Carol had that morning. She gingerly felt her jaw, knowing the bruise was starting.

aI think she loosened a tooth.a She shook her head. She stood on her fourth-floor deck, overlooking the Chicago lakefront. I have the best o.r.g.a.s.m Iave ever had, she thought, and I have to be fantasizing about a married woman and a good friend. She let out a dejected sigh as she drank her coffee.

To get her mind off her debacle, Toni thought of the upcoming holidays and her siblings, Matt and Fran. She grinned and grabbed her cell. Shead call her younger brother first.

aHey, sis.a Toni could hear the smile in his voice and grinned. aHey, Matt. How goes it?a aIt goes well. If it would stop raining.a aHey, n.o.body twisted your arm to move to Seattle, pal. Well, maybe Sheilaas dad.a Matt laughed and agreed. aThe money was too good. You know that. Besides, itas better than a Chicago winter. So how are you? Howas the fire inspecting business?a aItas good, unfortunately. Less wear and tear on my body, thatas for sure. So what are you and Sheila doing for the holidays? I havenat seen you or our sister in three years. I thoughta"a aIad love to, but I really canat get away this season. Iall be working the whole week of Thanksgiving, and at Christmas, weare going to Florida with Sheilaas parents.a Toni smiled sadly. She couldnat blame Matt. Since their mother died four years before, Toni tried to keep all of them together. However, she couldnat blame them for wanting their own lives. Neither younger sibling loved Chicago as Toni did. When Matt married three years earlier, his father-in-law offered him a great job in rain-soaked Seattle. The same happened with Fran, but she wound up in Boston with her husband, Lou. Toni was happy for them; she missed them but couldnat deny their happiness. Their childhood wasnat so happy, and they deserved their own lives.

aFlorida? Good for you, sun and beaches.a aYep, two weeks of nothing to do. Weall be out there for New Yearas, too.a Toni fought the lump she felt in her throat. aWell, you have a great time. You deserve it.a aThanks. Hey, what are you going to do?a aOh, Iam spending the holidays with Kevin.a aGood. Well, I gotta get goingaa aSure, sure, Matt. Give Sheila my love.a aWill do. We really have to get together soon. I miss you.a aMiss you, too.a aIall see ya.a aI love you.a He had already disconnected.

Toni called Fran but got pretty much the same result. She was having her in-laws over for Thanksgiving, then going to her sister-in-lawas for Christmas. Toni set the phone down and got a cup of coffee that she took onto the deck. She blew at the steamy cup and shivered, pulling the big sweater around her. As she gazed at Chicagoas skyline and the lake, not surprisingly, she felt lonely. She loved the holidays, and she really thought this year, Fran and Matt might be able to come home. The fact that neither invited her out there was something that Toni put in the back of her mind.

They needed their lives away from Chicago to feel normal. Toni saw that and honestly couldnat blame them. They were young and only caught the tail end of their fatheras abuse. Toni, however, caught the brunt and gladly took it. She would rather he beat her than her mother or the younger ones. G.o.d, how she hated him. And, G.o.d forgive her, how glad she was that he was dead.

She grabbed her keys, feeling restless, as she always did after thinking about her father, and headed out. She walked the neighborhood and came to the familiar bakery. Taking a deep happy breath, the smell of freshly baked goods filled her senses. The wonderful sound of the tinkling bell brought Lidia Walinski through the swinging door.

aHi, Mrs. W.,a Toni said with a grin.

Lidia wiped the flour off her hands and smiled. aAntonia. What brings you down here this time of day, hmm?a Toni shrugged. aI dunno. Just walking, I guess.a The old Polish woman gave Toni a skeptical look. aSit, I get you something.a She gently pushed Toni into the nearest chair, then disappeared into the kitchen.

Toni glanced around the bakery and smiled. She loved it here. She felt safe, content. This shop was a constant. aYa know, Mrs. W.,a she called out as she looked around, ayou should make this into a coffee shop. Sell those smoothies and juice and put more tables in here. Youad get more of the younger crowd.a aYou and your coffee houses. I am too old to be changing.a Lidia walked up to the table with a small plate.

aNever too old to change, Mrs. W. A few tables here, a nice little coffee bar in the corner. It could work.a Toni licked her lips. aKolachkies.a aNot kolachkies,a Lidia mimicked her. aYou Americans. Itas kolachky.a aTomato, tomahto. Are they apricot?a Toni asked with glee.

Lidia nodded. aYes, just for you. And Kevin.a Toni had the cookie in her mouth as she gave her a curious look. aKevin, is it?a Lidia grinned and nodded. aHe came by last month to see if I was all right.a Toni swallowed and grinned sheepishly. aReally?a aYes. It seems he got the idea that Mr. Su down the street had a window broken, and he was worried. I wonder where he got that idea.a Toni shrugged and continued eating. aHe was worried about you. So? Whatas happening?a aNothing. We went out for dinner and a movie.a Toni was wild-eyed. aReally? Thatas good?a aThatas very goot. Now eat.a She reached over and pinched Tonias cheek. aYou big lovable b.u.t.tinski.a She gave her cheek a playful slap.

Toni grimaced and flexed her jaw.

aWhat are you doing for Thanksgiving?a Lidia asked quietly.

Again, Toni shrugged.

aHave you talked to Matt and Fran?a Toni nodded as she ate. aThey got plans.a Lidia leaned in. aThey have not invited you yet?a aTheyare so busy, Mrs. W.a aDo me one favor?a Toni noticed the tentative posture as she wiped the powdered sugar off her mouth. aSure.a aI will be going to my sisteras for the holiday. Would you see that Kevina?a she asked as she dusted off her ap.r.o.n.

Toni grinned. aOf course, I will. I think he might be with his brother, but donat worry. He wonat be alone for the holidays.a aAnd neither will you. Thank you, Antonia. You make me feel much better for leaving.a After her fill of cookies and coffee, Toni promised once again to take care of Kevin while Lidia was gone.

aAnd who is taking care of you?a Lidia asked with a stern look.

Toni felt her bruised jaw and chuckled. aRight now, Iam better off on my own. Itas much safer that way. I think Iall head over to my office. Iave got a ton of paperwork Iad like to get off my d.a.m.ned desk before the holidays. If you see Kevin, tell him Iam there. See ya, Mrs. W. And thanks.a ********

Toni sat in her office shuffling papers. aG.o.d, I hate paperwork. It was much more fun fighting fires. Hmm. Iad like to torch this desk.a As she sifted through the tidal wave of papers, her mind wandered to Alana. She wondered what she was doing. Shead been to the museum a few times and thought stupidly Alana would stop by. Toni hoped everything was all right between Alana and Paul. Although, Toni had no room to talk. Her jaw still hurt from the right cross from Carol. She still couldnat believe she was fantasizing about Alana. Actually, she could believe it; it was just such a bad idea.

With that, her phone rang. aInspector OaHara.a For an instant, there was nothing. Then the familiar voice called out, and Toni smiled instantly.

aH-hi. Itasa"a aAlana? h.e.l.l, how are you?a Toni leaned forward in her chair, knocking over the cold cup of coffee. as.h.i.taa she cursed as she scrambled.

aAm I interrupting?a aNo, no. I spilled my coffee,a she explained with a chuckle.

She heard Alana laugh quietly. aHow are you?a aFine, fine. How are you? Howas Claude?a Toni asked as she mopped up her mess. She tossed the coffee-saturated paper towel at the wastebasket and missed. As she moved to pick it up, she nearly pulled the phone cord out of the wall.

aHeas fine.a aI-I went to visit him a couple times,a Toni said, struggling with the wastebasket.

aYou did?a Toni heard the smile in Alanaas voice and grinned. She sat back in her chair and rocked. aHe asked about you, thought youad be by for a visit.a Toni played with the phone cord. She heard Alanaas soft laughter.

aClaude misses me?a aYes. The poor man is high-maintenance.a Toni chuckled.

aI sincerely doubt that. Claude strikes me as a self-sufficient, smart, savvyaguy,a Alana said.

aSo enough about Claude. To what do I owe the honor of your call?a aWell, I thought...well, I have to call the kids, but Iam sure theyare coming in for Thanksgiving, and Iam throwing a little party on that Wednesday night. Just family and a few friends, and I thought if you werenat busy, perhaps youad like to stop by.a Toni immediately sprang forward in her chair but didnat answer.

aI know you must be busy, so ifaa aIad love to. What time?a Toni asked quickly. She thought she heard a sigh of relief.

aHow about seven? Donat bring a thing. Iall have everything,a she a.s.sured her. aYou can bring a date if you like. Just not the snake woman.a Toni laughed at the idea. aDefinitely. Okay. Thanks, Alana. Thanks for thinking of me.a There was another pause. aIs everything okay, Toni?a aRight as rain. See you in a couple of weeksaWednesday,a she said and rang off.

Toni sat back as she gently set the phone down. She looked up to see Kevin standing in the doorway. aHey, Kevin,a she said quietly as he walked into her office and sat down.

aHey. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Are Fran and Matt coming in?a he asked. aHmm. I can tell the answer by the look on your face.a aYou great mind reader. But youare right. They already have plans. Franas in-laws are coming in, and Mattas working and canat get away, but heas taking Sheila to Florida for Christmas.a She leafed through her files.

Kevin nodded. aWell, youall just have to make dinner for me then.a Toni shot a curious look his way. aWhat about your brother?a aNope, he decided to go up to his sister-in-lawas in Wisconsin. They asked me to go along, but I hate to travel. So I thought wead have something together unless you got something going.a Toni smiled. aNo. With Fran and Matt busyawell, h.e.l.l, you canat be alone on Thanksgiving,a she said. aBesides, a certain baker is worried about you.a Kevinas grin spread across his face. aOh, yeah?a aQuit grinning, you look like a pumpkin.a aYou make a list. Iall buy the food, you cook.a aItas a deal.a It might be a good holiday after all, she thought. Toni knew how much Alana loved her children, so she hoped Alanaas kids were coming home for the holidays. She actually looked forward to meeting Alanaas family. This should prove interesting, she thought, and started on her list.

Chapter 9.

Allie smiled at the idea of Toni coming to her home for a holiday party. As she dialed the number, she continued smiling when she heard Jocelynas happy voice.

aHi, Mom. Of course, Iall be home for Thanksgiving. Iam flying in Wednesday.a Jocelyn squealed with delight. aBut I do have a favor. If you canat, thatas fine. Itas just that Marcie isnat going home for Thanksgiving anda"a aOf course, you can bring her. I remember Marcie.a Allie was elated. aHoney, Iam so happy. What time? Are you flying into OaHara?a Jocelyn laughed. aNo, but weare flying into OaHare.a Allie pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at it. aWhat did I say?a aYou said OaHara.a Jocelyn was still laughing.

Allie looked to the heavens, feeling her face redden, but she laughed along. aAnd no, I havenat started on the holiday punch.a aYouad better wait for me. Iall be there at five in the evening. I canat wait to see you. Itas been four months! Howas Dad?a Jocelyn asked quickly.

There was a momentas hesitation. Paul and she had not been so talkative since their dinner discussion the previous month.

aMom? Is everything okay?a aYes, honey. Itas fine.a aYou donat sound sure.a Jocelyn was silent for a moment. aMomaa aWhat, sweetie?a aCan I say something? I-I donat mean to bring anything up on the holidaysaa aYou know you can say anything to me. You and I have always been open. Whatas on your mind?a aI donat know when this happened, but Iave noticed a change in Dad and you. Maybe Iam reading too much into things. And I donataI just see you both changing. I canat put my finger on it. Iam sorry to bring up something like this right before the holidays, but itas been in the back of my mind for so long now.a Jocelynas observation stunned Allie.

aMom?a aOh, sorry, sweetie. And donat worry about anything. Maybe your father and I are just getting to know each other all over again. We donat have you and Nick to take care of nowaa She wasnat sure what else to say. aWell, enough of this kind of talk. Weall talk about ita"a aOver a cup of hot chocolate.a Allie smiled as the tears welled in her eyes. aYou remember,a she whispered.

aOf course I do. I was seven, and John Downing broke my heart.a Jocelyn stopped; Allie heard her sniff. aAny problem can be solved through talking and a good cup of cocoa. Thatas what you always said.a Allie wished it were that easy now.

aSo is Dad still working like a jacka.s.s?a Allie raised both eyebrows. aJocelyn Celeste, he is still your father.a aCamon. Tell me.a aYes, but not like a jacka.s.s. Weall pick you up Wednesday. I love you.a aI love you, too. Quit crying,a she said and hung up.

Allie rubbed her hands together in antic.i.p.ation. aNext, Nick.a aCan you come, Nick?a Allie asked hopefully. She heard his hesitation and the shuffling of papers.

aI have a ton of work. I donat know if Iall be able to get away,a he said honestly.

Allie shook her head. aListen to me. I love you very much, but if you become a workaholic like your father, Iall shoot you,a she said in a firm quiet voice.

aMomaa he said in a warning chuckle.

aIam serious. Youare young and alive. If you choose this life now, youall never get out from under it. Money is not the answer. Life and love is, please remember that, sweetheart.a aYou sound like the ghost of Christmas Past,a he said affectionately.

Allie laughed along with him. The laughter died down, and Nick cleared his throat.

aIs everything okay, Mom?a Allie now hesitated for a moment. First Jocelyn, now Nick. She hoped this was not going to be the topic of conversation for the holidays.

aItas not, is it? Whatas he doing? Working like a fiend?a aNow you sound like Jocelyn.a aHow is Jossie?a aIf you come for Thanksgiving, youad know,a she countered and smiled at the sound of Nickas laughter.

aOkay, I give. Iall be there. Iall call you with the flight information,a he said, laughing. aMom?a aYes, sweetie?a aI love you, you know,a he said quietly.

Tears sprang into her green eyes. aI love you, too. Itas the most important thing, sweetheart.a aI know. Iall call you later in the week. Bye...a Allie hung up and smiled at the phone. Though she knew they were grown and had their own lives, she adored the fact that her children wanted to come home.

Two weeks went by much too quickly for Allie. What was I thinking? Having a party and picking up the kids on the same day? She struggled with the groceries, letting out a deep groan as she set the last bag on the counter.

Thirty minutes later, she had everything put away and started on the house. She flipped on her music and grinned wildly as her song rang out. Beyond the blue horizon, waits a beautiful daya Two hours later, she was donea"exhausted but done. Autumn decorations filled each room. Allie had placed the last of them out when Paul walked in the door.

aHey, honey, just in time. I need help with the tablecloth,a she said and kissed him.

aHi. G.o.d, Iam tired. What time are the kids getting in?a He set down his briefcase.

aWell, youare elected to pick them up. Gratefully, your intelligent son got a flight that gets in nearly the same time as Jocelynas. So you have just enough time to jump in the shower and head to OaHara...OaHare,a she said, shaking her head. She heard the groan. aCamon now, honey, itas Thanksgiving. You remember weare having a party tonight, right?a aYes, I remember.a Allie watched him curiously. She walked over and felt his forehead. aAre you feeling all right?a He quickly took her hand away. aIam fine. Iave been working all day, and I donat relish driving in this sleet to the airport.a He walked upstairs.

Allie felt the air leaking out of her holiday balloon when the phone rang. ah.e.l.lo?a she said with a heavy sigh.

aGood grief. Who died?a Vickyas voice rang out.

Allie laughed. aSorry.a aWhat time does this clambake start?a aAnytime after seven and the kids will be home, if Paul decides to join the living and pick them up.a She tried not to sound completely irritated. aAre you bringing the kids?a Allie asked as she took the lace tablecloth out of the drawer.