"I'll try, but when Maxie starts banging around pans and Duke sticks his cold nose in my face, I usually get up. I like mornings."

She had learned to love the mornings as well, especially since she had a job to look forward to and more so now that she had a car to drive her there.

After a full afternoon of playing outdoors at the orchard, the little ladies were in dire need of a scrubbing and bed. Jed and Susan wanted to hang around awhile to talk to Nora, so she cleaned up her girls and settled them in bed. Just as she'd been completely unprepared for toys, clothes and furniture, her father managed to surprise her once more.

"Your friends at the orchard are wonderful," he said. He grabbed Susan's hand and said, "I want to make something available to you-something for you to consider for the future. And please, there's no pressure of any kind. If you have an interest in finishing your education, I have some advantages as a tenured professor. Not only is your tuition waived, after a little checking I found out I can get you into family housing. Child care on the campus is affordable. Nora, if you'd like to go back to school, I'd like to help make that happen."

She was speechless for a moment, even though he'd mentioned school at least once before. "Family housing?" she asked.

"I wouldn't presume to offer you my home, even though I'd be happy to have you and the girls move in. But I respect your boundaries. Take all the time you need, not just with me, with everyone who comes into your life. Those little girls are precious. Don't take any chances."

"It could really happen? School?"

He gave a nod. "It's not the answer to everything, Nora, I know that. This seems like a good place with good people. If it works for you here and you're satisfied, there's no need to change things. But if money is holding you back from going to school, let's not let that stand in the way. I can help. Without investing much. And Stanford is a quality school."

"My one year of college," she said. "My grades were not very good. I was a freshman and so inexperienced."

"You'd be allowed to repeat classes."

Susan grabbed his hand and stopped him for a moment. "Nora, this is only a suggestion, a possibility. I have two daughters-one went all the way through medical school and the other chose to be a stay-at-home mom. They are equally smart and equally driven with individual ideas about what makes a happy life. This is just something to consider. And the offer isn't going to expire."

I have things to work out here, came to her lips, but she didn't let it out. Instead she thanked them both. And once they were gone she thought about what was on her plate. First, she had to find a way to make her rent right-someone owned this little house, whether an individual or bank or the county for taxes. She couldn't steal free rent and sleep at night. And second, she had to know what was to become of Maxie.

And Tom.

Chapter Fifteen

Nora had gotten a little quiet again, but Tom was not at all surprised. She hadn't had a day off in weeks, plus two full weekends of Apple Festival; besides being a hard worker, she had mothering responsibilities, as well. So he cornered her and asked, "Is your father coming up on Sunday again?"

"He wouldn't miss it."

"I want you to take the weekend off and catch up at home. Get some rest."

She drew a sigh. "I think I'll take you up on that."

"That doesn't mean you have to stay away-bring the kids to dinner," he said.

She looked surprised. "Listen, I think I've imposed on Maxie enough... ."

He just laughed. "Maxie loves having you. She took most afternoons off this week and she's getting a little bristly from boredom. And since we're on the subject, why don't you take Friday afternoon off, catch a nap if you can, then bring the kids back here for Maxie to babysit. You and I will do the town."

"Do what town?"

"Okay, we're not going to exactly do the town-no dressing up. But there's this restaurant in Arcata. It's great. I'd like to take you. I already asked Maxie if she'll babysit and she likes the idea."

Her forehead furrowed. "Why? I mean, why?"

He scraped off his cap and scratched his head. "You don't make it easy, do you? Because you slaved for about three straight weeks, and sometimes you slaved at the orchard while carrying a baby on your back and baking with my grandmother. Come on, it's a treat. Just say yes and thank you. And then, Saturday is the pumpkin patch out at Jilly Farms and they'll have a lot to eat and drink and there will be rides on miniature ponies. I'll take you so you can pick out your pumpkin. The girls will love it."

She stared at him in shock, her mouth open. She forcibly closed her mouth and swallowed. "Um, that's very nice of you, but I'll have to take a pass."

"Why? You have a sudden aversion to fun? Or is it just me?"

"Um, look, Tom-much as I enjoy your company and as grateful as I am that Maxie would be willing to babysit for me, I'm going to have to decline."

"Why? That was a perfectly nice offer!"

"Because I don't date?" she asked as more of a question than an answer.

"Then don't think of it as a date-think of it as a couple of friends going to dinner. My treat, as a reward for all your hard work."

She lifted an eyebrow and tilted her head. "How are you rewarding Jerome, Eduardo and Juan?"

"I'm only rewarding the pretty employees."

"Well, tempting as it all sounds, I'm still going to have to decline, with thanks."

"Are you serious? Why? I thought I was very gentlemanly."

She thought for a moment and finally said, "There is just no polite way to say this, Tom, but I made a deal with God not to lie, so I'm going to spit it out and if you hate me, I'll find a way to live with it. Just don't fire me-I need the money. I have things to work out that involve money. Here it is-I'm a little uncomfortable around Darla. She's a very nice person and all, but I feel like a peasant when I'm near her. I'm kind of Cinderella, and the glass slipper hasn't turned up yet."

"What?" he asked, dumbfounded.

"I feel a little rough around the edges when I'm with her. All sow's ear. I feel like the last kid in class to get picked for the team. You know?"

"You thought Darla would be coming with us?"

"She's been here every weekend. For weeks. I just assumed..."

"She's not going to be able to make it this weekend. I guess she has other plans."

"Really?"

"Now will you go out with me, Cinderella?" he asked with a grin.

"Don't make fun of me, please. I probably feel like the poor girl because I am the poor girl. Certainly not Darla's fault, but come on."

"Nora, Darla isn't coming. It's just you and me. Well, you and me and sometimes my grandmother and your children."

"Am I your stand-in date?" she asked. "Because I bet you could do better."

He growled and turned away from her. "Fine," he muttered. "I'm not going to beg you!"

"All right," she said to his back. "All right, as long as it's not a date!"