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still awake when I got here.” He glanced at her and a fond smile curved his lips. “I think I’m growing on her, though. She only told me to go away twice before she let me through the door.”
    I laughed, as I knew he’d meant me to. Edie was still on the defensive where River was concerned, but she’d mellowed a bit over the past couple of months. The fact that he was standing in front of me at all proved that. I just wasn’t sure whether letting him stick around today meant that she was ready to let him be part of her life, or if she was simply too tired to fight him.
    As if he could read my thoughts, River sank onto the couch near Edie’s feet and rubbed his face with one hand. “Do you think I’m making any progress with her?”
    I shrugged. I knew he wanted me to say yes, but another of Aunt Yolanda’s favorite sayings was that a dishonest opinion has no value. “It’s hard to tell with Edie,” I said. “Just keep being patient with her.”
    â€œThat’s what you always say.”
    â€œBecause it’s the only way,” I said. “If she’s going to let you in, she’ll have to get there on her own. You can’t make Edie do anything she doesn’t want to do.” JD stirred in my arms and the besotted expression on River’s face stirred my heart at the same time. I held out the baby and River took him gladly. “She’d probably kill me for saying this,” I said as the two of them settled back on the couch, “but she needs you, and so does John David.”
    â€œI’m glad you think so,” River said with a weary smile. “I sure wish she would agree with you.”
    â€œSo do I, but Edie’s a hard nut to crack.” I smiled gently andstood. “Hold your son,” I told him. “I’ll see what I can do in the kitchen.”
    I left the two of them alone and stepped into the kitchen, where I immediately regretted my offer. Dishes lined every inch of available counter space and tilted in stacks on the small table. For the first time, I wondered how long it would really take Edie to pull it together and come back to work.
    I spent a few minutes clearing the sink and unloading the few clean dishes still in the dishwasher. I scrubbed and scraped and stacked until I had the dishwasher loaded again, then started it up as I wiped down the table and counters, and nosed around until I found a broom and dustpan. I swept the floor and was reaching for the Swiffer when I heard footsteps scuffing on the floor behind me.
    Edie looked around the kitchen and blinked rapidly. “It looks amazing in here.” I was afraid she might cry, which would have been awkward for both of us. To my relief, she shook it off and held out her hand for the Swiffer. “I’ll do that. You’ve done enough.”
    I laughed at the command and checked to make sure there was cleaning fluid in the dispenser. “Sit. Relax. I’m on a roll here. This may never happen again, so accept it while I’m in the mood.”
    Edie looked like she might argue, but then thought better of it and sat at the table. “The kitchen is clean. The baby is asleep. How can I ever thank you?”
    â€œI didn’t do it all,” I said. “I’d still be holding JD if River hadn’t come by.”
    Edie stiffened noticeably. “Don’t start.”
    â€œI’m not starting anything,” I assured her. “But it’s true. He’s a good guy, Edie, and he’s utterly besotted with JD. He wants to help.”
    â€œI won’t deny that, but I’m not getting together with him just because he loves my kid. That would be stupid.”
    â€œIt’s not just JD he cares about.”
    Edie laughed softly and shook her head. “Whatever. Let’s not go there right now. I don’t have the energy. I wonder if I’ll ever have energy again.”
    I went over a