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to the grass. “I’ll see you tomorrow after church.”
    Walt gave him a shrewd glance, then shrugged. “Suit yourself. See you around one, one thirty?”
    Ryan nodded, and lifted a hand in farewell as Walt and the boys headed for the trailer. He opened his car door and stood for a moment, watching their retreating figures. Walt, in the center, rested a hand on each of his sons’ shoulders as they made their way along the edge of the field’s dark soil toward Loralee and a thick slice of cherry pie. Yeah, Walt was one lucky guy. He was living the life he’d always envisioned.
    Not for the first time, Ryan envied his brother. It would be nice to know what you wanted out of life. Someday maybe he’d figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up.

    Tori guided her car into the parking garage and zoomed up to the row of reserved spaces. She slipped into a visitor space close to the building’s elevator with a thrill of satisfaction. A choice parking spot was little enough reward for giving up her Sunday morning.
    Of course, the closest space was already occupied by a familiar silver Lexus. Kate’s car.
    “I’ll be there for dinner, Mom.” She switched the cell phone to her left ear, freeing her right hand to shift the car into Park and turn off the engine. “Kate said the meeting should only last a couple of hours. If we get out early, I might even be waiting for you when you get home from church.”
    Possible, but unlikely. Meetings with Kate usually ran over, not under. Still, she could hope for the best. Since her boss was leaving town in the morning, maybe she’d want to get out of the office quickly today.
    Yeah, right.
    “That would be good.” Mom’s voice sounded pinched, a sure sign of worry. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in months.”
    Tori tossed the keys into her purse. “We saw each other yesterday.”
    “That doesn’t count. There were too many people around to have a real conversation.”
    “Like about selling Gram’s house and buying a condo?” She tried to keep the irritation out of her voice, but failed.
    Mom’s sigh sounded in her ear. “Joan said they told you after I left the party yesterday. She said you seemed upset. I’m sorry, honey. I wanted to talk to you about it myself in person, but you’ve been working so hard lately there hasn’t been a good time.”
    Tori’s irritation evaporated and she wilted against the seat. Mom was too nice to say it was her own fault for ignoring her family. “I know. It’s hard to have a conversation with me when I’m never around.”
    “I’m worried about you. You’re working too hard. You need to find a balance.”
    A yawn took Tori by surprise. Through sleepy eyes, she stared up at the concrete ceiling where, six floors up, Kate was already in her office. Balance? Tori had worked until after five in the morning to finish the Harmon report. “I don’t think there is such a thing as balance in marketing, Mom.”
    A movement drew her eye to the rearview mirror. Another familiar car had just pulled into the parking garage. Mitch had arrived.
    “I’ve got to go. Tell Joan and Allie not to be mad at me for skipping church.”
    “I will, honey. See you this afternoon.”
    “Bye.”
    Tori slipped the phone into her purse and gathered her briefcase. The heels of her new boots touched the pavement as Mitch’s car glided to a stop beside her. His head appeared over the roof almost immediately, and a low whistle cut through the June warmth.
    “Look at Miss Victoria Sanderson, all dressed up for a Sunday meeting.” His admiring glance traveled the length of her new slacks and blouse.
    Tori paused in the act of punching the lock button on her remote to turn a dimple his way. Mitch flirted outrageously and without partiality, but at least he appreciated an attractive outfit when he saw one. They’d hired on at the firm within a month of each other two years ago and performed the same function, though for different clients. He was