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pool!”
    â€œGreat,” Katharine groaned sarcastically. “Now you’ll have to worry about that, too.”
    Eliza chose not to respond, knowing that Janie’s grandmother was at a point now where she was apprehensive about any possible thing that could pose a threat to her grandchild.
    â€œIt also has a hot tub,” Louise pointed out, ignoring the negative comment. “And, as you can see, a cabana.”
    She opened the unlocked door and they walked through the small building. A full kitchen outfitted with a large refrigerator, double sink, oven and dishwasher was the main room. Off it was a perfectly tiled bathroom with an oversized shower stall. Beyond that was a utility room with a washer and dryer.
    â€œThink of the great parties you can have out here,” Louise enthused.
    Eliza was just thinking of quietly sitting on a lounge chair watching Janie swim, or soaking in the hot tub after a long day at work, as her daughter scooted out the cabana door.
    â€œMommy, KayKay, come see!”
    They followed the direction of the child’s voice in time to see Janie climbing up the wooden slat steps nailed to a giant elm. “There’s a tree house!” she called with wonder.
    â€œBe careful, honey. You don’t know if those steps are safe.” Katharine hurried toward the old tree.
    In that instant Eliza knew for certain that she was doing the right thing. She didn’t want Janie growing up timid and afraid. She wanted her to be confident and strong. Though she wanted to shield Janie from anything that would wound her, Eliza knew that her daughter would have to take chances in life, be hurt and then learn to recover. Janie’s was a strong and beautiful spirit and, painful though it might be, she would have to take life’s knocks in order tolearn how to survive in the world as it was and grow to her full potential. Katharine and Paul were wonderful, loving grandparents, but their overprotectiveness, while understandable, would not be good for Janie in the long run. Eliza and Janie had to get their own rhythm going again, as a family, small though their family was. And maybe, if things continued as well as they had been going, Mack would join their family, too.
    Eliza thought about Mack as she watched her daughter smiling triumphantly from the tree-house platform. Mack McBride, a keenly intelligent, no-nonsense news correspondent, was gentle and loving with Janie, and with her. Their relationship was relatively new, but the emotional bond had grown quickly in the turmoil of the last few months. Mack had been a rock of stability and it felt right to have him beside her after all the years she had been alone. Eliza marveled at the notion that she was being given another chance to love.

Chapter 8
    At the Manhattan Ocean Club on West Fifty-eighth Street, KEY News president Yelena Gregory sat across the table from Mack McBride. As the waiter brought their cocktails, Yelena raised her glass.
    â€œTo you, Mack, and the wonderful work you’ve been doing for us.”
    Mack nodded at his boss and took a swallow of scotch. “That’s a relief,” he exhaled. “I was wondering if you were taking me out to give me some bad news.”
    Yelena didn’t smile in response as he had expected her to. Something was up and he wasn’t sure he was going to like it. He waited for her to speak.
    â€œWell, as a matter fact, I do have some news. News that I hope you will be happy about, Mack.”
    He raised his eyebrows.
    â€œAs I’m sure you are fully aware, Mack,” Yelena continued carefully, “there are some correspondent positions that are considered more important than others.”
    Mack nodded. “Go on.”
    â€œWe’ve got you earmarked for one of those slots.”
    Mack’s mind raced. It was a move from New York, he was sure of it. But where? He waited.
    Yelena took a sip of her drink, resentful because she knew that the gift