Then he held her close and gently stroked her naked body.

She was almost back to sleep when his gravelly voice came in the night. “I think you have to stop reading psychology or self-help books. We’re fine.”

* * *

In the morning Ginger was getting ready to leave while Matt scrambled them some eggs. They sat side by side on the sofa, holding their breakfast on trays on their knees. There was tension most obvious by their pleasantness to each other. After helping to wash up the dishes she said, “I know you’re itching to get out to the farm and I have a long drive.”

He nodded and pulled her close. “Let’s not fight,” he whispered into her hair. “Please.”

“Let’s not,” she said. “Matt, think about getting out of here. This apartment. You hate it and it’s not a home to you. It’s a couple of rooms. And it eats at you.”

“Where do you suggest I go?” he said, and she could see that dark look coming into his eyes again.

“I don’t know. Go home. I think you stay there half the time anyway.”

“Where will we go when you come to the farm?” he asked. “You know for the next several weeks I can’t get to Thunder Point. You said you’d come up here. I need you beside me.”

“It doesn’t matter about me,” she said. “We could get a room somewhere. We could camp in the hayloft or even stay with my parents. It’s just that... Listen, you eat at your mother’s table because there’s comfort there. You stay at the farm because it’s warm with allies, with family. This apartment is functional but I think it’s like nettles in your underwear. Could be time for a fresh start.”

“I’ll have a fresh start when my house is ready.”

“That’s a long time for you to be itchy and cranky.”

“If we don’t talk about all the difficult stuff, starting with our exes...”

“It wouldn’t have worked for me,” she said, shaking her head. “I couldn’t have stayed in my little rented house and just kicked Mick out. I had my marriage in that house and even though I wanted to end it and ending it was the right thing to do, if I’d stayed there I think it would’ve been harder for me to move on. You’re not happy here. This isn’t your home anymore. And I’m not ever going to live here with you. There’s a barrier.”

He glanced away from her. She could see his jaw tense.

“Just think about it, Matt,” she said. “I’ll still come to the farm to help during the harvest. I’m excited about it. You have family sleeping in every nook when they come to help—I can, too. I’ll bed down with you in the back of your truck! We’ll find a way to be together.”

“Then we’ll get married,” he said.

“You won’t have time to think about anything but grapes and pears and potatoes for a while. Let’s resolve a few things after the harvest. I love you very much.”

* * *

When Ginger was back in Thunder Point people were very anxious to know how her weekend with Matt and the family went. She put on a smiling face and said it was great. But then she looked for a time Peyton might be able to sneak away for a talk. “How about an ice cream sundae at the diner?” she asked.

“Sure. Things are quiet at about two and Scott’s in the clinic. Want to meet then?”

Once they had a booth and their sundaes in front of them, they could talk. “So, did Matt win the Dysart seal of approval?”

“Oh, absolutely. But remember, he knew my dad and at least one of my brothers. Apparently they’ve done business together over the years. We had a nice time.”

Peyton tilted her head and peered at Ginger. “Why do I sense something’s wrong?”

“Well, something might be wrong. Maybe we’ll just get beyond it easily. Matt lost his temper while we were there. Over something stupid.”

“Uh-oh. Mad Matt?”

“One and the same,” Ginger said.

“Mind if I ask what stupid thing?”

“My mother passed on a message that my ex-husband, who doesn’t have my number anymore, wanted to talk to me. He said it was urgent and I said I’d give him a call. Matt went ballistic.”

Peyton shook her head sympathetically. “Would you believe I’ve been there?”

“Really? But you and Scott have been together forever!” Ginger said.

“Not exactly,” Peyton said. “I had just broken up with someone when I took the job in his clinic. I fell for Scott pretty quick. But then the ex called to say he needed my help and sweet, gentle Scott threw a hissy.” She whistled. “It was impressive.”

“Hard to imagine Scott in a temper...”

“I know. But trust me—he went over the top.”

“And what did you do?”

“Well, as it turned out, it wasn’t my ex but his daughter who needed help. Scott was in no frame of mind to listen or understand so I cut him out of the loop.”

Ginger shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“Oh, Scott was throwing around ultimatums and acting like an ass so I just did what I had to do. I did try to patiently explain to Scott that he was going to feel like an ass when he finally understood my situation. I drove to Portland, helped the girl the best I could, told the ex to get his shit together before he lost his whole family, came back to Thunder Point and duked it out with Scott. And I was right—he felt like a fool. He hasn’t acted like that big an idiot since.”

“Let me ask you something,” Ginger said. “Is Matt known for that? A temper?”

Peyton shook her head. “He’s always been the sweetest-natured guy in the family. George is very silent and steady. Sal is a little like Paco—melodramatic and interfering. I’m like Mama—serious and sometimes quietly controlling, Mikie is a comedian who seems like he doesn’t take anything seriously and yet he’s close to a PhD in biochem, but Matt has always been a happy guy. Pretty laid-back and easygoing. Until his divorce. That seemed to take a lot out of him.”

“He’s not real happy right now. And he’s going to be less happy. He basically told me to get over it but he’s in for a surprise. I’m not going to set a date until we’re beyond the harvest and I can see whether he’s going to be sweet Matt or Mad Matt. I’m sure it’s still about his divorce. I understand, I really do. And I’m sympathetic—I have some of that baggage myself. I was married to an idiot myself and it’s not easy letting go of it. But he has to deal with his ex, bring it to a close. I refuse to bring her into our relationship, even if it’s just in the form of Matt’s emotional baggage.”