"So, how's the new book going?" asked Victoria as she encountered Gil Andrews sitting outside on his porch. He appeared to be lost in thought, staring off towards the mountains. "Gil?"

"Oh, Victoria," he responded with a start. "Did you say something?"

She sighed deeply. "Gil Andrews, I asked about the new book."

"Oh, that." He still seemed preoccupied as he looked at the papers in his hand. "I'm between books at the moment."

"Invite me in for coffee," Victoria prompted, her tone concerned.

"Coffee?"

"Thanks, I'd love it." She climbed the stairs and glanced at the papers Gil clutched. "Bad news?"

"I'm not sure," he admitted, almost sheepishly. "My wife wants a divorce."

"You're married?"

"More or less. Less, I suppose."

"But you've been living here for almost a year. You've been separated?"

"Not legally. It just sort of happened."

"Gil, you want to talk about this?"

"Not really. I think Rosemary's probably right," Gil mused aloud. He looked over at Victoria who seemed concerned. "It's okay, Victoria. I think I'm actually relieved."

"I don't understand. Don't you...didn't you love her?"

Gil paused thoughtfully. "Love? I guess I did, but I'm not sure that I was ever in love with her. In fact, I used to think that she was in love with my brother."

"Really? You said that he was back at the vineyard now."

"True."

"Where is your wife?"

"At the vineyard."

"Gil-you left her with him?"

"More or less."

Victoria stared at Gil. "Is this what you wanted-your wife and your brother? I mean, subconsciously?"

"I don't think so. Jared is a man of integrity. He wouldn't go behind my back-and I don't think believe that he's in love with Rosemary, anyway."

"What about Rosemary?"

"I don't know. I don't think so."

"But you don't know?"

"Victoria," Gil said. "I really don't care." He smiled and suddenly, looked years younger. "She can do whatever she pleases with whomever she pleases."

"Christina?" Jack spoke softly into the phone.

"Yes?" She answered, rather pleased that he'd called.

"Jack Johnson. We met at the Andrews' party."

"I remember."

"I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me Saturday night. Maybe a movie afterwards."

"I'd like that," Christina answered, her smile coming through the receiver. Jack smiled back.

"Great. How about I pick you up around seven? I'll make reservations for seven-thirty."

"Fine. " She gave him her address, and he noted it carefully.

Jack was still smiling when Jared entered the office.

"Morning, Jack! You look happy."

"Got a date," Jack grinned.

"Anybody I know?" Jared was thinking of the receptionist who had been noticing Jack for some time.

"Christina Castle."

Jared paused, and his words came out rather strangled. "Suzanna's daughter?"

"You know them?"

"Uh, Jack, hell," Jared scowled. "Where's Marty?"

"Inside her office. Hey, Jared, what's wrong?"

"You wouldn't believe...no, wouldn't understand." Jared was visibly upset.

"Try me."

"Not now. Damn!"

"Uh, Jared," But, Jared had already stomped into the office and slammed the door behind him.

Unperturbed except for an upraised eyebrow, Marty looked up from her computer.

"Having a Monday?"

"More like a heart attack," Jared admitted. "Jack's got a date."

"It's not a sin."

"With Christina Castle."

"On second thought..."

Both sat staring at each other, Marty amused, Jared perplexed.

"You are going to tell him?" Marty began.

"How can I?"

"You don't want him to find out too late."

"Hell! I don't want him to find out at all."

"Would you like some privacy?"

"No, damnit! We're both in this together." At her smile, he continued. "If I tell him that...." He gestured with his hands "he'll expect me to tell him.......you know...."

"He would assume that you know," Marty pointed out logically. "One generally does."

"Not in every case."

"Are you trying to tell me something?"

"!@#$%^&*!"

"I see. Jared, I did call you down here for a reason."

"You can work at a time like this?"

"Is there a better time?"

"But..."

"But it's Monday-when is the date?"

"I didn't ask."

"That is obvious."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it."

"Is it? Jared, I told you years ago that you needed to deal with this." Jared scowled again, and Marty continued. "And, it isn't like you didn't know how things work."

"Damn, Marty. I hadn't seen you in seven years. Seven! And, I didn't know!"

"Nor did you ask."

"You didn't tell me."

"I didn't know where you were."

"You could have asked somebody?"

At that, Marty rolled her eyes. "Right. We were both doing need-to-know stuff back then."

"You didn't think that I needed to know?"

"No, Jared. It wasn't like you could have done anything about it."

"I should have known. You should have told me."

"We've been through this before, Jared. What occurs to me that for a really great agent, prepared for any contingency, a man who thinks on his feet-wait-that must be the answer-you weren't on your feet, and I dare say, you weren't thinking, either."

"I sure as hell wasn't prepared."

"Things will work out."

"One way or the other."

"This can be resolved rather quickly."

At that moment, Jack opened the door and strolled in. He had an oddly curious look on his face, a slightly strained expression around his mouth. Looking from one to the other, he finally said, "You left the intercom on. Speaking of need-to-know....."

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