"I hope so. I want her to know I'm doing everything she asked me to do."

Fifteen minutes later, SaUie and Devin's ashes swirled across the mountain to the strains of Dusty Springfield. "Rest in peace, Sal-lie," Fanny whispered.

"Oh, God, look, Fanny!"

Fanny raised tear-filled eyes to see not one, but two shooting stars, so close together they appeared as one. "I take that to mean our night's work met with their approval."

"I'd say so," Billie said breathlessly. "Fanny, do you ... do you believe . . . ?"

"Yes. Yes, I do."

A long time later, Billie said, "What time is it, Fanny?"

"Ten past midnight. It's a relatively still night. I think it's safe to bum the house now. I listened to the weather forecast and . . . and I think it's okay. If anything goes awry, I'll live with it."

"Where's die gasoline?"

438 Fern Michaels "On the front porch. I bought three five-gallon cans. As soon as it really starts to bum, we'll go down to Chue's and get the hoses ready . . . just in case. I hooked ours up this afternoon. Would you like a cup of coffee or a soft drink first?"

"No. Let'sjustdoit."

"Okay."

"It's such a pretty litde cottage. I like simple things," Billie said as she poured gasoline over the living room carpet.

"SaUie hated it. And yet she lived here for fourteen years. I will never understand how she did that. You fight a match in the kitchen and I'll light one here. Close the door tight and run around to the front, okay?" Bilfie nodded.

The two women stood in the middle of the road, their arms around each other. "It's going to bum real quick. The wind is holding steady. If I were a pyromaniac, I'd be real happy with this."

"Let's go down to Chue's. As soon as he sees the flames he's going to be heading this way," Bilfie said. "Oh, oh, here he comes."

Fanny reached out a hand to Chue. "It's okay, Chue. Saifie asked me to bum it. We waited until the wind was right. I don't think it will spread."

"Why, Miss Fanny?"

"SaUie said the cottage was a bfight on the mountain. She said you should clear the mbble when it cools, and plant grass and flowers. It's all right, Chue, if you don't understand. Some days I don't understand it either. I promised."

The three of them sat on the shoulder of the road, their arms wrapped around their knees, watching the flames shooting upward.

In the predawn hours, Chue dragged hoses from his cottage and from Sunrise to spray the smoldering ashes in case the wind whipped up. When the sun crept over the horizon, Fanny and Bilfie, soot-blackened from head to toe, headed for the main house.

SaUie Coleman Thomton's last wishes had been respected. To the letter.

"Have a safe trip. Call me as soon as you get home." "I wiU." Billie smiled as Chue turned the truck around. Fanny waved wildly until the truck was out of sight.

"I miss her already," Fanny said, sitting down next to Simon on the steps. "Bess and I used to be close the way Bilfie and I are. We're still great ftiends, I would do anything for her and she would do any- thing for me, but we lead different lives now. She's involved in all the activities at the medical center, she has her children, she helps her father out in the drugstore, and she still manages to put in a full day at Sunny's Togs. I wish it were otherwise. True friends are so rare these days."

"You're feehng nostalgic," Simon said. "Do you want to talk about what else is bothering you?"

"Yes, and no. Ash was so ugly, so hateful. I've been trying for the past several days to figure out ... I should say try to figure out where it all went wrong. I get such a raging headache I then try to put it out of my mind. At this stage I don't even know why it's important to me."

"Ash is the father of your children. He was the center of your life for many years. You don't just cast that aside and not think about it. No matter what happens, he will always be a part of your life. One day at a time, Fanny,"

"Ash is going to fight the divorce. Out of spitefiilness. Fm giving him the money for the casino. I have to call my attorney this afternoon. I need you to sell off everything as soon as possible. Not Jake's securities, though."

"You didn't ask for my opinion, Fanny, but Fm going to give it to you anyway. You're making a mistake to give Ash so much money all at one time. Spend the money for a real tough financial man to come in and oversee everything. I know several I can recommend. Ash has no head for financial matters. Some smart-ass contractor could come in, hear the name Thornton, and jack the price up double. You can't let that happen. Ash could go through the money in a year. Contractors usually want a real healthy chunk up front, then they schedule payments according to the progress of the building. Ash likes to gamble, bear that in mind."

"What would you suggest? I gave my word to Ash. How can I switch up now? For sure he'll fight the divorce."

"Listen, Fanny, I want you to give serious thought to controlling any monies you give Ash. I can set up a separate fund your attorney can oversee. You and Sunny should be the only one who can s^ checks. No one else. Will you think about it?"

"Of course Fll think about it. I never thought of it in those terms. I think you're right, Simon."

"Okay, let's go to town and have some breakfast. We'll make a day of it and check out the other casinos. Fd like to see what Ash is up against, building wise."

440 Fern Michaels "I'd like to visit the bingo palace. Sallie loved it, more than she ever loved Sunrise or her house in town. The second-best thing that she loved was the church she built for her friend Cotton. Your mother was such a simple person, Simon. Not many people knew that."

"I didn't know it for a long time. I love you, Fanny. I never said it aloud before. I don't expect you to say the same thing in return."

Fanny drew in her breath. This kind, gende man truly cared about her. He deserved a response. "I think I fell in love with you the first time I saw your picture. Are you my destiny, Simon?" she asked softly.

"I beUeve so. I feel... like .. ."

"Giddy?"

"Yeah, giddy. Here I am, 48, going on 49, one year away from the half century mark, and I'm feeling the same way I felt when I was seventeen."

Fanny smiled. "Your heart doesn't know you aren't seventeen. I feel the same way. And then I look in the mirror and see my gray hair, the lines in my feice. It doesn't change the way I feel. I find myself wanting to go roller skating with you, sleigh riding, skiing, all the things I did as a teenager. Did that make sense?"

"Oh, yes. Your kids probably would have trouble with it, but I understand perfecdy."

"A whole day to spend together, Simon. Just you and me. I can be ready in fifteen minutes. Casual dress, okay?"

"Sure. I'll bring my things with me and catch an early flight out tomorrow morning. Then I'll be waiting. I'll wait forever, Fanny, if I know that you 2md I. .."

"Shhhh," Fanny said, placing her index finger over Simon's lips. "We have all the time in the world. One day, Simon, when the time is right, I'm going to take you to a very special place. It's a simple place, but its simplicity is wondrous. I want you to hold on to that thought."

"We're going to make it, Fanny. We might be old and gray, but we're going to makt it. You hold on to that thought."

"I wiU, Simon."

"Now we both have something to hold on to," Simon said.

The office was luxurious, consisting of green marble, dark shiny mahogany, stained glass windows, and ankle-deep carpeting. The lone figure in the elegant waiting room was impeccably dressed, appearing a part of the cosdy furnishings. One tasseled loafer tapped a path on the green marble that led to the carpeted area where comfortable chairs waited for wealthy clients.

Fanny Thornton and her attorney entered the room. Fanny stopped in her tracks to view the surroundings before she marched up to where her husband was sitting. He was so handsome, so incredibly polished, Fanny had to take a moment to gather her wits. "Your legal fees better not be coming out of any monies from me, Ash."

"Are you going back on your word?"

"Tadk to my attorney through your attorney, Ash, but I repeat, I am not paying for these offices. I don't think the White House has such an elegant waiting room. The president of the United States probably makes less money than these attorneys you've hired. Just so you know, Ash. I'm giving you and these fancy attorneys exactly seven more minutes. Our appointment was for 10:00 a.m. It's now five minutes past the hour. Attorneys bill by the quarter hour. I'd husde if I were you. These days I'm not known for my patience."

"Mr. Thornton, Mr. Tinsdale, Mr. Palmer will see you now."

Fanny sat dovm on one of the comfortable chairs. Mr. Thornton, Mr. Tinsdale. Was she invisible? She had been the one to schedule the meeting, she was the one with the money, she was the one who agreed to a meeting at this office to accommodate Ash. Blind with fury, Fanny stood up and addressed the modellike secretary Ash was eyeing greedily. "This meeting has just been canceled. It will take place fifteen minutes fi"om now, in Mr. Tinsdale's office. Excuse me, gendemen."

Outside the offices, in the marble hallway that was as elegant as the waiting room she'd just been in, Fanny took a deep breath. She thought about Devin's suite of offices on the second floor and Sal-lie's first experience with Devin's secretary. She had learned a thing or two from Sallie. She was sick and tired of men and secretaries classifying women as second-class citizens. Her head high, she marched to the elevator. She entered it just as Ash barreled through the office door, Mr. Tinsdale behind him. His rage-filled face was the last thing Fanny saw before the elevator door swished shut.

Fanny walked out of the legal building and around the comer to where Harry Tinsdale's offices were located. Her back was stiff, her eyes angry when she setded herself to wait. She was looking pointedly at her watch when her attorney, Ash, and his attorney entered 442 Fern Michaels the room. "Fanny Thornton, Mr. Ettinger. Time is money, so let's get our meeting under way."

Ettinger has more teeth than a shark, Fanny thought as she followed her attorney down a long hallway to his offices.

It was a long meeting, with three temper tantrums thrown by Ash Thornton and much cajoling on the part of Samuel Ettinger before the meeting broke up with Fanny's last words being hurled over her shoulder as she exited the office, "Take it or leave it, Ash. It's my only offer, and there will be no negotiating."

"What the hell was that all about, Fanny?" Ash blustered. "Moving that meeting."

"Common courtesy goes a long way, Ash. Don't worry about it, that long-legged beauty will probably end up in some chorus line, and you'll get to see her again. If she worked for me, she'd be walking the streets right now looking for a job."

"Is that what this is all about?" Ash snorted. "I didn't think you had a jealous bone in your body, Fanny."

"You're right, I don't. She didn't invite me into the meeting, she invited you and my lawyer. Since I wasn't included, I opted to conduct business on my own turf, in this case, my attorney's offices. I'd appreciate it if you'd get out of my way. I'm running late. No terms, Ash, until you agree to the divorce. I have no intention of ending up like your mother and Philip."

"Unless you agree to my terms, that's exactly how you're going to end up. I know you, Fanny, you won't allow yourself to get involved with anyone unless you're free. Well, guess what, you aren't going to be free. Don't forget, that assault and battery charge is still looming. I haven't dropped the charges."

"As I said to you once before, you don't know me at all, Ash. I'm not that stupid, starry-eyed girl you married thirty years ago. If I feel like having an affair, I'll have an affair. If I feel like hopping between the sheets with some pit boss, I'll do that too. Being married to you will never stop me. I will do what I want when I want. You go ahead with your assault and battery charge, stall the divorce. You're the one who wants to build a casino, not me. I have all the time in the world. I'm leaving the country in a few days, so don't drag your feet. If you decide to hold out, it will take that much longer. Your choice. Sallie's will is unbreakable. All that attorney is doing is taking your money. Get a second opinion."

"Fanny, wait a minute. Let's go get a cup of coffee and talk about this like the civilized adults we are."

"No." Fanny opened her car door and slid inside.

"What do you mean, no."

"What part of 'no' didn't you understand?"

"No you don't want coffee or no you won't reconsider?" Ash said, his face murderous.

Fanny shifted gears, her eyes straight ahead. "I'll send you a postcard from the Orient."

Fanny's heart pumped furiously. How was it possible that Ash could still get to her? Tears ran down her cheeks as she drove through traffic. She was going home, the home she'd created for the children and herseff. Home to lick her wounds, and cry for what might have been.

The phone rang, just as Fanny lugged her bags to the top of the steps. She ran back to her bedroom to pick up the phone. "Sunny! How are you honey?"

"Real good. Mom. Just called to say good-bye. Have fun and bring me a present."

"Now, did I ever go anywhere and not bring presents?" Fanny laughed.

"You might have such a good time you'll forget. Everyone wants to say good-bye. What are you going to do for a whole month?"

"ril sightsee, eat, sleep, shop. I don't have much time, honey, put the others on, okay?"

"Okay, love you, Mom."

"Love you too. Birch, watch out for everyone, you are the oldest. Sage, before you can ask, yes, I have a window seat. You know I love you. If your dad calls . . .just be respectful. I'll call and give you a phone number as soon as I know what it is. Love you. Bye!"

"This is everything, Chue. Goodness, I don't have much time, do I?"

"Plenty time."

"Did anything good come in the mail?"

"Lots of letters. I put them in the car so you could read them on the way to the airport."

Fanny settled herself and immediately ripped open the one from her attorney. When she finished reading she heaved a sigh so loud that Chue asked her if she was all right.

"Better than you'll ever know, Chue," Fanny said happily. Ash had agreed to her terms and the divorce would go through. By the 444 Fern Michaels time she returned from China she would be a free woman. What did one do when divorce became final? Did women stand up and cheer, did they cry and wail, did they celebrate? What was she going to do?

Fanny leaned back in the seat of the car, her eyes closed, her heart thumping in her chest. In just a few hours, in Honolulu, she would be meeting Simon. Then she would travel halfway around the world with him.

They would board a flight for Hong Kong. Together. Fanny's eyelid twitched. She was going off with a man for an . . . assignation. Sunny would call it a tryst. She couldn't help but wonder now if she had made a mistake by not telling her children Simon was going with her to the Orient. What would they think, what would they say? Because she didn't want to know their opinions or their attitudes, she'd kept quiet. According to the letter from her attorney, her divorce woi^d be fmal in seven days. The countdown had started yesterday. Not counting today, she would be a free woman in six days. Today, and into tomorrow, was a travel day. One minute after midnight, on the seventh day, she would finally be liberated. She could do whatever she damn well pleased. She could go to bed with Simon Thornton. She could marry Simon if she wanted to, providing he asked her.

Mrs. Simon Thornton. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. If she was into monograms, which she wasn't, she would have no need to change hers.

"We're here. Miss Fanny. Take care of your ticket, and I'll check your bags," Chue said. "The trunk with my things is going to cost extra, I have the money right here."

Fanny placed a gende hand on his arm. "No, Chue. I want to do this for you. I have all the messages in my purse along with telephone numbers, addresses, and even some pictures. Should your relatives have presents or mementos for you and your family, I'll bring them back in the same trunk."

"Give Mr. Simon my regards." Chue smiled.

"Chue! How did you know?" Fanny asked, flustered that this kind, gende man knew what she was up to.

"I see it in your eyes. I see the same thing in Mr. Simon's eyes. He is a good man. When he was a small boy he worried that I worked too hard. He would try to help in many small ways."

"I don't want you to think . . ."

'*I do not think anything, Miss Fanny. Life is very short here on earth. One must be happy and content. I wish much happiness for you and Mr. Simon."

"I vsdsh that too," Fanny said, hugging Chue. She accepted her baggage claiim tickets, stuffing them along with her ticket into her purse.

"When you return, the remains of Miss Sallie's cottage will be gone. I have the sod and many beautiful flowers to plant. Each time we look at the bend in the road, we'll think of Miss Sallie and her goodness. For many days I did not understand. Will there be a stone?"

"Just a simple wooden cross. She said one of your cousins would carve it"

"But everyone else has a stone," Chue said. "Even Mr. Devin."

"Sallie said. .. what she said was ... if she was just plain old Sal-lie Coleman, all she would have was a wooden cross and be lucky to have that. A wooden cross it is. It will read: Sallie Coleman. She said she disgraced the Thornton name. I couldh't talk her out of it, Chue. You might want to think about a large stone with her name chiseled on it, in the flower garden you're going to create. How do you get butterflies? What kind of flowers do they like? A garden for butterflies. Sallie would like that. All kinds of butterfhes."

"I will look into it. Miss Fanny."

"I know you will, Chue. I'll bring you a present. A Chinese yoyo for your collection."