Jackie was already seated when Anna arrived.

"My dear, how nice of you to join me."

"How thoughtful of you to invite me," Anna murmured, hating small talk and knowing she would be forced to endure at least an hour of it until Brian's mother came to the point of the meeting.

The waitress arrived, filled Anna's water glass, and handed her a menu Anna ordered almost without looking. She doubted she would be able to choke down anything more than a salad. Already she could feel the muscles of her stomach tightening.

"Such lovely weather this time of year, don't you agree?" Brian's mother murmured the question.

"Yes." Anna nodded. Her right hand surrounded the water glass, collecting the condensation. "May is my favorite month."

"You've done remarkably well with Brian."

"Thank you."

"Believe me when I say I know how difficult he can be."

"He was in the beginning, but came to accept me shortly afterwards."

"How much longer will it be before Brian's completely independent?"

"A few weeks, not much more than that." She swallowed a sip of ice water. It slid down her throat, easing the building tightness.

"One of the reasons I asked you here today is to ask about Brian's social readjustment. I'm sure you've dealt with situations like this before."

Anna hadn't, but didn't say so. "I believe that, given time, Brian will readjust automatically."

"I had hoped he would agree to the party. He knows how much I love parties, and everyone has been so concerned. It seems like a good way to help my son. Don't you agree?"

"I really couldn't say, Mrs. Littrell." Uncomfortable, Anna lowered her gaze. So this was the reason Jackie asked her to lunch.

"Has he mentioned the party to you?"

"Not since yesterday."

"What did he say then?" The older woman probed.

"Mrs. Littrell, please," Anna said, and breathed in softly, "I don't think it's my place to relay your son's feelings."

"But I had so hoped." She gave Anna a softly pleading glance, not unlike the one Anna had witnessed her giving Brian.

The waitress arrived with their salads. Anna smiled her thanks and lifted the fork. She didn't need to take a bite to know the meal would taste like overcooked mush.

"I think that if you talked to Brian..." Jackie continued, her gaze centered on the meal. "What I mean to say is that I've noticed the way my son looks at you."

Anna's heart jumped to her throat. "What do you mean?"

"It's only natural Brian would feel a certain amount of gratitude toward you. He respects and likes you. If you were to ask him about the party, I'm sure he would agree. Won't you, dear?" She asked. "For Brian's sake?"

Anna laid the fork beside her untouched salad. "I sincerely doubt that my asking will have any effect on Brian's decision."

"But you will try?" Jackie pleaded.

"Yes," Anna agreed, nodding with reluctantance, when what she wanted was to keep Brian to herself for the rest of her life.

As Anna returned to the beach house, she knew what she had to do. Brian's mother had made the position clear. Anna's responsibilities went far beyond the physical therapy Brian required. He was almost to the point of walking on his own. Her last duty would be to bring him back into the mainstream of life.

Hands clenching the steering wheel, Anna drove to the shoulder of the highway and stopped completely. The scenery was spectacular. Huge waves pounded the rocky shoreline. Large gulls swooped low in a sky that was cloudless. Heaving a sigh, Anna lowered her face until her brow pressed against her coiled hands. A building moistness clouded her eyes as she struggled to gain control. What Jackie Littrell was really asking was that Anna relinquish her love. Of course, she had been subtle, but genuinely concerned that Brian fit back into the lifestyle he had known before the accident. One that excluded Anna.