"Ian, tell me where you want me to put Rena's bags."

"Down that hall, the second door to the left."

As Blake walked away, Rena looked like she was trying to say something but couldn't get the words out of her mouth. She was red-faced, not knowing what to ask first or where to begin. She finally screamed, "Ian!"

"Hush, or you'll wake Mother."

"Ian, what have you done?"

"I had to do something. She was too sick to stay in that big house by herself. There was no way for me to take care of her and my own house, too."

"Look at this place! How do you think she could possibly get better here – clutter, smoke? This place is a mess. This is not like Debbie. Where is she?"

Blake walked back into the room. "They're divorced."

"What?"

"Three years ago, and he's been this way ever since."

This was too much for Rena to handle. She eased across the room and pushed a pile of papers aside so that she could sit down before she fainted. Three years ago, Ian begged her to come home. Three years ago, people from Savannah called her and asked her to check on her mother and Ian. She had ignored them all. Someone must have called Blake because he was here. He would do anything for Clarissa Blackshear.

"Do we still own the restaurant?"

Blake glared at Ian. Rena could only imagine what that particular look implied. Tension was thick. Ian looked stressed. Rena braced herself. Ian finally replied.

"Yes, we still own the restaurant."

"Is that all you have to say, Ian? I thought we agreed that you would tell Rena the whole story."

Ian paced the floor. The handsome look on his face was marred by nervousness. He couldn't look Rena in the eye. His eyes kept shifting from her face to a distant spot on the wall. He wiped sweat from his brow. This conversation would not be as easy as he had thought. He'd rehearsed it a thousand times before she came. Now, his throat was tight and the palms of his hands felt sweaty.

"I took out a second mortgage on the restaurant. Mother didn't know about the loan. Debbie and I had gotten into some debt. We used the loan to clear the debt and set aside part of it for an investment that was sure to turn a profit. We intended to pay back the mortgage from the profit, but it didn't work out."

"Oh, Ian!" Rena turned to Blake. "So, that's when you came. You've been helping him to manage the restaurant?"

"I was still going to find a way to make the note, but the bank sent the payment notice to the restaurant instead of my house, and that's how she found out about it. Of course, she was devastated." He looked as if he was about to disintegrate. All his life everyone alluded to his irresponsibility, but to hear it coming from his own mouth and saying it to Rena caused knots to form in his stomach. In his mind, Rena was always the perfect one. He always fell short. Having to admit that to her made him squeamish. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Shortly after that, she started getting sick and the business went into disarray. You know, I never knew anything about the restaurant."

She could read a thousand emotions in Blake. She saw hurt, compassion, anger and frustration. He'd been carrying a load that was not his to bear. She could beat Ian for putting their family heritage in danger.

"That's not all, sister. When Blake saw how our margins were so thin because of the loan that we could barely pay the payroll, he started the coffee shop. Instead of paying himself a salary he donates it to Mom and she's been paying off the loan. The coffee shop has done really well."

Rena couldn't take anymore. She left the house and went out to the porch. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Blake followed her outside.

"How could he be so irresponsible? How could he tie your life into the mess he created?"

"Your mother is responsible for who I became. I don't feel tied. I feel like I'm giving something back to her out of everything she gave to me. I have nine restaurants because she taught me how to run her restaurant. She encouraged me to follow my dream and I did."

"Since Mom has gotten worse, you know Ian wants me to come back. I can't stay here. My life is in New York. We'll have to sell it. I can't have you indebted to us."

"You certainly are Clarissa Blackshear's daughter – stubborn. This is not the time to make decisions."

"I want to see my mom, but I've had so many shocks tonight I don't think I can handle another."

"It will keep until morning. She's sleeping. Let her rest and you get some rest, too."

Rena was still feeling as if she was in a twilight zone. Then she looked at Blake. He had become more than she ever imagined. Though she didn't want to admit it, she was still drawn to him. He was the same old, thoughtful Blake, willing to leave his life in Florida to take care of an old friend. He never had a harsh word, not even for Ian, who had completely screwed up. Many would've taken that opportunity to rake him over the coals, but Blake said, "Let him tell his own story." He was everything that she had always wanted, but could never fully have. Learning to live without him was hard, but she'd mastered it.

"Thank you for being here for Mom."

"I'll stop by some time tomorrow."

Before she knew it, Rena was being swept into a bear hug that left her entire body tingling. She'd forgotten how good it felt to be locked in his arms. Memories of it flooded her mind. Her heart had been frozen for years. The press of him against her body was causing it to thaw. She had absolutely no control over the pitching of her emotions. They were crashing into the ice surrounding her heart and causing it to crack. Between the comfort of his arms and the exotic scent he was wearing, Rena was emotionally done in.

"It's good seeing you, Rena."

She watched his eyes trail from the tip of her head down to the black stilettos on her feet. When he glanced into her eyes again, it made her toes curl. The heat of it consumed the rest of the frost around her heart. It was merely a puddle now.

"You too, Blake."

...Author Notes...

To: My Beloved Readers

From: Jaspira

When I write I have the readers in mind.  I value your time and I want to give you something worthy of the moments that you spend reading.  Reading a story is more than just entertainment.  It's an escape, a place of rest and relaxation.  When I'm writing, I'm thinking what situation can I put my characters in that will make the reader be swept up into their lives.  So I try to find situations that people can relate to.  One of my favorite parts was dealing with Clarissa and Avery.  Children have a hard time dealing with parents developing a second love after the loss of their spouse or a divorce.  Many woman raise children without spouse for whatever reason.  I wanted to show the strength of single women and to explore with them how to love again.  Would love to hear your comments if you can relate to that. Again, thanks so much for your encouraging support.