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time.” She laughed softly, but there was a sadness lurking in her eyes that Tori knew stemmed from the loss of one of those babies. It was a loss Tori felt in every bone and sinew of her body every day.
    “You’re a long way from there,” Mom said. “What brought you to the US?”
    “I’m a televisionproducer in Los Angeles. The draw of Hollywood was too great to ignore.” His smile broadened.
    “Do you plan to live there permanently?”
    Sean glanced at Tori. “I hope to. It depends on several things.”
    “I imagine. You have a visa, right? Do you have to renew that regularly, or is it permanent? Oh, listen to me talking about nonsense. I just went through all of this in reverse with Hayden whenhe took a job in France last spring. He’s my youngest; Tori’s probably told you about his new adventure, right?” She looked at Tori.
    “Sure,” Tori said, though she actually hadn’t told him anything about Hayden. She’d told Sean precious little since she’d last seen him in March. Keeping him at a distance was the only way she’d been able to function. Thinking about him brought Alex to mind andthe fact that she hadn’t been there for him. And those thoughts spiraled her into despair. Her headache spread across her skull.
    “Yeah,” Sean said, spearing her with a WTF look that said, I have no idea what you’re talking about, so don’t leave me hanging .
    “Sean was just in Europe filming a show,” Tori said, her head throbbing. “I’d hoped he’d have time to visit Hayden at the winery in France,but it didn’t work out. He wasn’t close enough to Bordeaux.”
    Sean’s lips twisted, and his subtle reaction led her to believe he’d been smack dab in the middle of Bordeaux, but he didn’t say anything. He smiled at Mom. “I’ve been there before, however; it’s gorgeous.”
    “I spent three months there with Hayden,” Mom said. “It was just what I needed to feel more like myself again.” She didn’t sayanything specific about Alex, but he was as present in the conversation as if he were standing with them. It was both comforting and trenchant.
    “I can think of few places as restorative as the French countryside,” Sean said, “though I’d say your Willamette Valley comes very close. The similarities are astounding.”
    “True, but our wine is superior,” Kyle said, inserting himself into the conversation.“Hi, I’m Kyle.” They shook hands.
    “Sean. Nice to meet you. Great fondue, by the way.”
    Kyle chuckled. “Thank you. I’m worried we’ll run out soon, but I’ve got minions working in the back. In fact, I better go check on them. I’ll catch up with you later?”
    “Sure, I’ll be here all week.”
    “Oh, where are you staying?” Kyle asked.
    Sean’s brow creased. “I don’t know yet. This trip was a bit spontaneous.Any recommendations?” He looked between Kyle, Mom, and Tori.
    “Dude, you’re completely screwed.” Kyle flashed an apologetic smile at Mom. “You won’t find a place to stay with all this going on. You’ll have to head back toward Portland to get a hotel room, at least for tonight and maybe tomorrow as well.”
    “He won’t either,” Mom said, and Tori braced herself for what was coming next. Damn, damn,damn. Mom smiled at Sean. “You’ll stay with us. We have a lovely apartment over the garage that will suit you perfectly. And I insist you stay all week.”
    Again, Sean flicked a glance at Tori. However this time his gaze held a smug sheen. “If you’re sure it isn’t an inconvenience.”
    “Not at all. And this way, you’ll be close by so you and Tori can spend time together.” Mom nudged Tori’s hand,and her worst fears were realized: Everyone thought she and Sean were an item. They’d be glad Tori had someone in her life, and they’d like Sean. Before she knew it, they’d have her and Sean halfway to the altar—if they hadn’t already been there, that was.
    The pain in her head spiked, and she rubbed her temple.