She shook her head. "No, I don't think so. Maybe this is the best way to explain," she said, reaching inside her vest and withdrawing a folded piece of paper. She passed it to him.

He opened it, keeping his eyes on her face. Then he looked down and saw a notice of auction on foreclosed property-and the address was hers. He looked up. "Nora, what is this?"

"It was posted on my front door. I think we both knew something like this would happen eventually-I didn't own that house. I didn't even rent it. It was probably abandoned a few years ago."

"Auctioned next Friday?"

She nodded. "I'm sorry I can't give you notice on leaving my job. Will you be able to get by without me?"

He was on his feet. "Where are you going?"

"Well, the notice forced a decision and maybe that's a good thing. I'm going to take my dad up on his offer. I'll move to Stanford. Well, I'll move in with him until he can secure family housing for me, which might take a couple of months, given the holidays and everything. I'll go back to school. It's a very generous thing for him to do."

He was standing over her. "And what about us?"

"Us?" she asked. "I'm not sure what there is about us. I don't think you're ready for an us, Tom."

"Why do you say that?"

"Please, sit down, you're making me uncomfortable." When he went back to his chair, she continued, "You were pretty worried about me taking all that kissing too seriously."

"Come on," he said. "You must have felt what I felt."

She reached across the table and touched his hand. "Listen, it's okay. I understand-my situation and all, it's a lot to consider. Kissing without commitment-that's much easier to handle. I'm okay about that."

"Okay, look," he said, rubbing his hand over his face, completely unsure what he was going to say next. "It's a little intimidating, I admit that. Not because there's anything wrong with having a couple of kids-they're nice kids. It's not about you-more about me. Like I should take some time to really consider whether I'm up to handling them. I don't mean handling...you know what I mean."

"I know what you mean," she said with a smile. "I understand. And I don't want you to think I was expecting anything more. I'm being honest."

"You weren't? Expecting more?"

She shrugged. "If by some twist of fate we ended up knowing each other longer, much longer, things might have evolved, but we haven't known each other long and-"

"A few months, Nora. Not like a day..."

"I know," she said. "I know. I really enjoyed it."

He leaned back in his chair. "I don't know what to say. All of a sudden you're leaving. Without warning."

"I'm afraid that's how it is, not really my idea. But I'm grateful, you know? At least I don't have to be afraid-Jed's a good man. The more I get to know him, the more I realize how lucky I am that we found each other after all these years. My girls will have a grandfather and I've watched them together. He's good with them. He's like he was with me. He's so gentle. He has the patience of a saint."

"Have you already talked to him about this idea?"

She nodded. "I had to know what I was going to do as soon as possible."

"Did you ever think about talking to me?" he asked.

"Oh, Tom, I couldn't put that on you. You know-this whole place is so wonderful-long before that notice was tacked to my door, people offered me help. Space. Security. Noah told me to never worry. Adie said she'd take me in, even though she lives in a tiny house and there are three of us. I have no doubt you and Maxie would have been willing to help me, give me a place to stay. But I still have this crazy idea I'm going to somehow make it on my own..."

"But your dad..."

"Is my father and he feels he has a lot to make up for. Not only that, he keeps reminding me that if we'd never been parted, these are the things he'd want to do for me anyway. He tries so hard to convince me it's acceptable-it's not extra stuff given out of guilt." She shook her head. "I just don't want any more charity if I can help it. I just don't want to be pitied."

"Nora," he said loudly. "I don't pity you!"

"I didn't mean you treated me with pity, Tom. I mean I want to build a life for my girls, not rely on someone's kindness to do it for me. I would, you know. I have-I've had to take charity to get by. But trust me, it feels better to stand on my own two feet."

He was quiet for a moment, then he took a slug of wine. Not a sip but a couple of big swallows. "I'm not sure I'm ready for this," he said.

"Well, there are still a few days," she said. "I can't get out of that little house overnight. Jed is coming tomorrow. He's bringing me some sturdy boxes. I'll get us packed up early this week. He's going to come back, rent a trailer for the furniture in Fortuna and we'll drive south. I'll follow him to his house."

"Have you told anyone else?"

She shook her head. "But I'm going to take a couple of days to say goodbye, to thank people for everything they've done to help me. And I'm going to remember this, you know? I'm going to damn sure remember what it's like to need help and have a good person hold out a hand. Believe me, I'll pay that back. I might not have the luxury of paying back in Virgin River, but I'm going to be paying back the goodwill."

"I'm not getting this," he said. "It's too fast."

She started to stand up. "It's okay, Tom. I know I've blindsided you. You'll get used to the idea."

"I don't think so," he said, also standing. "Sit down-let me get the dinner out of the oven... ."

"Um, if it's all the same to you, I'm not too hungry." She slid a hand over her stomach. "Telling you all this had me nervous and kind of scared my appetite away. I still have lots of Maxie's soup at home."

"Salad, then. A little something."

She shook her head. "I think now that it's out and we had a chance to talk, I'm going to just-"

"No," he said. He came around the table. "You can't just go." And he pulled her to him.

But she put her hands against his chest. "Tom, think about this. You really don't want to-"

But he pulled her harder against him and covered her mouth in a blistering kiss. No test kisses this time, just the kill. She could taste his desperation and sadly, it matched her own. She hated this at least as much as he did-she had been foolish enough to hope that given time, they might actually come together.

"Don't leave yet," he said, his voice hoarse. "Let me do something. Let me feed you. Hold you. Rub your shoulders. Change your oil. Anything, please."

She looked into his hot eyes; she was almost shaken. "Pedicure?" she asked.

He covered her mouth with his again, moving over her lips with passionate need. He licked open her lips and invaded her mouth and she welcomed him. Her arms went around his neck while his big hands slid down her back to her butt, cupping her and pulling her harder against him. He devoured her mouth and she not only cooperated, she met his fever with her own. It was a long time before he broke away. "Better than a pedicure," he said softly, making her laugh.

"I think I know what you're trying to talk me into."

"Nora, I won't let anything happen to you. I'll take care of you and you know, I care about you. You know I do. If I just wanted sex, I could find that. I need you. I have protection," he promised.

And so did she. She'd been caught off guard twice; she'd been on the Pill since she started working part-time at the clinic in town. Even though she'd made the excuse that she didn't want to take chances, what she really hadn't wanted to risk was her heart. Well, hell, it was too late for that.

She met his lips again, running her fingers through his short hair, kissing him deeply and with promise. "Oh, Tom," she whispered against his lips. And he lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs to his bed.