Mad About You

about his salary. And the only savings he had was sitting there under protective canvas covers. One dealer had been pestering him for years about a couple of the cars. He'd call the man, then try to find the original house plans.
    He watched as his son's dark head disappeared inside a battered 1954 Hornet. "Double wow!" came the muffled appraisal.
    Gratitude filled his heart, but then he thought of Ginny, and a tiny selfish part of him cried out for more.

    * * *

    "It's so great to see you, Ginny," Rita said, elbow deep in flour.
    Virginia sat at the kitchen table slicing tart green Shenoway apples for the pie Rita was making. "You too—you haven't aged a day."
    Rita laughed. "Not true, but nice to hear. You haven't fared badly yourself. And Bailey tells me you're a successful executive—computers, isn't it?"
    A blush warmed her cheeks. "Yes, computers. It's not as glamorous as it sounds, but I enjoy my work."
    "So, how do you feel about all this?"
    She took a deep breath, grateful to have a woman close to her age to confide in. "Shocked. It was so sudden—I feel like I've been turned inside out, emotionally and physically."
    Rita clucked sympathetically. "I can't even imagine. When Bailey told me, I was floored—delighted but floored. Are you going to be okay?"
    She nodded. "I guess so. It's hard becoming an instant mom to an eight-year-old."
    "Remember you can call me if you need anything at all." Rita stopped kneading and angled her head toward Virginia. "I mean it."
    She smiled fondly at her former sister-in-law. Though younger than Virginia, Rita had always been mature and thoughtful. "Well, the truth is," Ginny ventured, "I'm a little scared."
    Rita smiled, tossing her black bangs out of her eyes. "You'll be a great mom, Ginny, just give it some time. He seems like a good kid."
    "He's the spitting image of your brother, complete with attitude."
    "Well, since you're the only woman Bailey ever listened to, I'd say you're the woman for this job too."
    "Thanks for your vote of confidence, and your offer."
    "By the way." Rita's voice took on an innocent tone. "Bailey also told me you never remarried."
    Virginia's hand slipped and she gasped as the sharp knife sliced into her skin. Luckily, the cut wasn't deep. "That's right." She sucked her finger, eyeing Rita warily. "I guess I never met the right guy."
    "Well," Rita said lightly, "maybe that's because you'd already met the right guy and married him."
    Shaking her head and laughing at Rita's transparent tactics, Virginia said, "Right, Rita, and that little thing called a divorce never happened."
    The petite brunette smiled wryly. "Well, I tried." She reached for a rolling pin, then her mouth pulled down in a deep frown. "Seriously, Ginny, I know Bailey isn't the easiest person to love. He told me the things he said to you, the jerk—he doesn't deserve you."
    Virginia's cheeks flamed. She'd never told anyone the terrible things Bailey had said to her after the kidnapping.
    Rita's voice softened with affection. "But I think it's great to see you coming together for Chad's sake."
    She had to fight the urge to be carried along with Rita's fantasies. "It's the right thing to do."
    "Bailey will be a good father, Ginny."
    Resuming her peeling, Virginia murmured, "I know, Chad's already completely taken with him."
    "My brother's never loved anyone else, you know."
    Virginia's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't lift her head. "Other than himself, you mean."
    Rita chuckled. "So he's not the most humble man, but maybe after you and Bailey spend more time together..." Her voice petered out on a high, hopeful note.
    Virginia threw her an impatient look.
    Up went Rita's hands, flour buffeting around her head. "Okay, okay, I'll stop—for now." Her black eyes twinkled merrily. "I'd love to have you back in the family, but for now, I'll take what I can get."
    They heard male voices approaching the kitchen door. Bailey and Jerry walked in, heads high and noses sniffing. "Need a taster?" Jerry asked, his smile wide and teasing for his wife. He swooped down on her neck with a noisy kiss that brought a blush to Rita's cheeks. She elbowed him playfully, shooing him out of her way.
    Watching the affectionate exchange, Virginia felt a tug of longing. To avoid Bailey's gaze, she looked around the room, admiring the Americana colors of navy, brick, and cream. This was the kitchen she and Bailey had once nuzzled in, had shared late night cookie raids, had warmed formula for their