The quiet McManus house buzzed with activity. Normally, all the action happened in the barn with people coming and going. Except for the perpetual motion of a four-year-old, the house tended to be quiet.

First, a team of house cleaners spent a day thoroughly cleaning the large living room, kitchen, and atrium. Then Shaun had to keep Tansy busy and out of the clean rooms. Shopping for a new dress so she could attend at the beginning of the party took half a day.

Meanwhile, Sarah was constantly on the phone with the caterers, musicians, and Denny. Shaun was afraid that the letdown after the party would send her mother back into mourning.

As she rode Star on a bright sunny morning the day before the big event, she wasn't thinking of her mother. Josh was bringing Ann, and she wasn't sure how she felt. One thing she knew was she felt things she shouldn't when he climbed out of the pool. Josh was taller than Eliot and broader. The man she married worked-out, but Josh made her tummy quiver.

She returned to the barn after letting her thoughts go renegade, and reminded herself Josh had Ann. As Shaun unsaddled Star, Denny appeared behind her. His masculine scent should jumble her nervous system, but it didn't. Not like the man who swam with her daughter.

"Let me help you."

She smiled. She had it, but would tuck her independent streak away. "Thanks."

"I was wondering if you would be my date tomorrow?"

She smiled. "Thanks, but I'm still married. I think it's best if we keep things as they are."

Denny nodded and took the saddle from her. Their fingers brushed, but she didn't feel any sparks. Why couldn't she have been attracted to the single man? Instead, she was an almost divorce mother with the same crush she had in high school. She left the barn as Sarah arrived for her therapy.

The following day, Sarah rode around, checking to be sure everything was set up just right. Earlier, she announced she had arranged for a stylist to do their hair and makeup.

"Mom, it's just a party. Why all the fuss?"

"Sweetheart, it's my only party. I miss feeling young and beautiful. I used to dance all night in your father's arms."

Shaun reflexively put her hand on her mother's arm. "You are still beautiful."

"You are too, and all the young men will notice."

Shaun put a spoonful of yogurt in her mouth. She suspected any young men would be outnumbered by gray-haired ones with deep pockets. It was futile to remind her mother she was still married.

Later Shaun sat still as Ritchie gave her smokey eyes. He piled her hair on her head with twists and pins. She looked like another person. The man was a genius.

"Darling, the men will drool. Now slip into your dress and let me see you."

When Shaun returned with her sage green dress. Ritchie gasped.

"Turn for me." The layered midi skirt swirled. "A princess. Your mother looks like your sister."

He had attended to Sarah first, then Stella helped her dress before taking on the task of dressing Tansy.

Looking in the mirror, she felt bare with just spaghetti straps. Her mind went renegade as she wondered if Josh would like it.

When she emerged, her mother saw her first. "Beautiful!"

She smiled. "Mom, you look amazing." She wore blue, which highlighted her eyes.

Jimmy appeared in a handsome suit. "No date, Jimmy."

He smiled a perfect white grin. "I thought you were."

Shaun went down the hall to check on Tansy. She found her sitting still while Ritchie curled her hair.

"A true princess, Miss. Tansy."

"Mommy, look!"

She smiled. "Perfect!"

Tansy took her hand. As they returned to her mother, Ritchie packed up his tools of the trade. Sarah complimented Tansy as Denny appeared in a suit. The man cleaned up well. Shaun knew suits. She knew the ones Eliot wanted to buy and the ones they could afford. Denny wore one they could pay for. Tansy stayed at her side as she smiled and made painful small talk with people she didn't know.

She felt her hand drop as her daughter took off, and when Shaun looked up, Tansy was in Josh's arms. Shaun wanted to smile, but didn't. He looked so natural holding her as his date looked at him, puzzled. When Tansy stuck out her hand to Ann, she took it and shook it briefly with an amused expression.

As Shaun walked over, the couple was flanked by Oliver and his wife, who spoke to Tansy. Josh watched her approach, but didn't smile. Oliver stepped forward and offered his hand.

"Shaun, this place is amazing, and Tansy is very sweet."

She smiled at the high school hotty, before approaching Ann. She extended her hand. "Welcome, I'm Shaun McManus."

Josh interrupted her introduction. "You're still McManus?"

She smiled and nodded. "Tansy tell Dex your name."

"Tansy Shaughnessy."

Josh's mouth formed an 'oh'. Oliver laughed.

"Shaun Shaughnessy. Good choice."

His wife's attention was on Tansy. "Your name sounds like a special flower."

"You're pretty."

Emma smiled. "You're sweet and Dex looks good holding you." She stepped forward. "Shaun, I love this house. Can I have a tour?"

Shaun nodded at the designer. As soon as they stepped away from the others, Emma grabbed her arm and laughed.

"Ann may not recover from Dex and his girlfriend. How did he get her to fall for him?"

Shaun smiled. "He ate peanut butter and jelly. The kitchen is busy with the caterers. This is the atrium."

"Gorgeous."

"The pool is down there."

"I love how it is so discreetly wheelchair accessible."

Shaun smiled. Most people never noticed. "I'll introduce you to my mother."

"I'd love to meet her. My mother-in-law speaks highly of her."

Shaun pointed to the two-bedroom wings, but they were closed to guests.

Emma squeezed her arm. "I understand. Someday, we'll be better friends and I'll get the full tour."

"Did you really name your cat Duff?"

She smiled. "Oliver kissed me on a dare. He didn't know I was only sixteen. I knew him by his nickname and it was a kiss I'd never forget."

Shaun used to fantasize about a memorable kiss after a tutoring session.

Emma put her hand to her mouth. "Did you have a crush on Oliver in high school?"

Shaun shook her head. "Not, Duff."

"Dex!" She giggled. "Your secret's safe with me."

She hadn't concurred, but to argue would make her look guilty. Thankfully, they reached her mother, who smiled at them.

"Mom, this is Emma Sumner."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. McManus."

"Sarah, please. I heard you have a baby."

Emma nodded and talked about her daughter. Shaun looked around, and spied Tansy still holding on to Josh's hand, as he spoke with Denny. Side by side, the quality of Josh's suit was obvious. She had seen him in a tuxedo, jeans, and swim shorts, but not in his business attire. Why couldn't she have been attracted to Denny like she was Dex?

As she approached, she felt six eyes on her, each with unique opinions. Tansy dropped Josh's hand and went to her side.

He smirked. "There goes my girl."

"I think Ann might disagree." She turned to Ann. "Your dress is stunning. I couldn't pull off that color."

Ann wore a tangerine halter dress. It would clash with Shaun's hair.

Denny put his arm around Shaun's waist. "I think you look stunning."

She didn't pull away because it would be rude. Ann smiled at them. "I didn't realize Denny was your husband."

Josh and Shaun reacted together. "No!"

Shaun let out a nervous giggle. "My husband is in Seattle. I'm in the process of a divorce."

Ann smiled again. "You two make a lovely couple."

Shaun shook her head. "Not a couple. Unlike the man I married, I'm not dating. Denny is a good friend of my mother. Right?"

He shrugged. "I asked to be her date. She turned me down."

"Shaun!"

She turned to see her friend Holly just as she accosted her with an embrace and pulled her away from Denny, Josh, and Ann.

She whispered in her ear. "I just talked to Oliver Sumner. He's still beautiful!"

Shaun laughed. Holly's husband stood behind her. "He's nice too. I love his wife."

"Who's the hunk?" Holly looked past Shaun.

"Denny, my mother's..."

"OMG!" Heads turned. She switched to a whisper. "Joshua Roche is so hot. He has improved with age."

Shaun agreed, and she had seen him without a shirt. She didn't dare look behind her.

Shaun needed to move away. "Tansy, let's find Stella."

"I don't want to go to bed!"

"I know, but it's time for the grownups." And your mother needs a drink.

"Dex!"

The man appeared and looked down at the girl. "What, Peanut?"

"I don't want to go to bed."

"I'll come ride tomorrow." He looked at Shaun. "Not dinner. Stella needs a break from company."

Shaun smiled. Could he be any more thoughtful?

"Peanut butter and jelly?"

Josh smiled. "I'm not sure I can get here early enough for lunch. I'll text your mom in the morning. Go to bed so tomorrow comes."

Tansy hugged him and kissed his cheek. Shaun's heart almost burst. When she looked up, Stella was watching by the door to Shaun's wing. The older woman had a look of approval on her face. Shaun led her daughter to Stella, who was about to put her to bed.

She grabbed a glass of wine and willingly stepped into a crowd of her mother's friends. She needed to distance herself from Denny and, more importantly, Josh and Ann.