“Falling in love is overrated.”

“Bite your tongue. Falling in love is what makes this miserable life worthwhile. I should know; I’ve done it about a hundred times.”

Jessie smiled and felt a tiny chuckle rise in her throat.

Renee laughed alongside her. Stubbing the cigarette out under her shoe, Renee patted Jessie’s knee. “I know you don’t approve of how I live my life—”

“It isn’t that I don’t approve, Mom. I just want you settled and happy.”

“I am settled, little girl. I’ve been in this house since right after you were born. As for happy…I’m happy most of the time.”

“And miserable every time your relationships fall apart.” Jessie covered her mother’s hand with hers.

“No denying that. I think I’ve fallen in love with falling in love. It’s exciting to see your man look at you with diamonds in his eyes, the thrill of a first kiss, the buzz of every touch and taste.” Renee gazed off in her memories.

“With all that buzzing and sizzling, I’m surprised you haven’t buried your husbands,” Jessie joked.

Her mother tossed her head back with laughter. “Life is too short to live it alone.”

“Well, it looks like Danny and I’ll be alone for a little bit longer.” More than a little bit. Jessie wouldn’t be jumping into the dating fire any time soon. Her mom might like the buzz, but the dive after wasn’t something Jessie wanted to experience again.

“I told you, you could fall in love with a rich man just as easy as a poor man.”

As if Jessie could forget those words. “Lotta good that does me.”

“Seems to me you fell in love with both.”

That’s where Jessie disagreed. “I fell in love with Jack Moore. Cowboy waiter who drives an old, beat-up truck.”

Renee stood. “You’re going to get through this, Jessie. I never did worry about you landing on your feet. Even after you ended up pregnant, I knew you’d be just fine.”

A lump formed in the back of Jessie’s throat. “Thanks, Mom.”

Renee nodded and slipped back inside, leaving Jessie to her own thoughts.

Then the tears finally came.

It was Christmas Eve, and Jack had no idea where Jessie was. For the life of him he couldn’t remember all the last names Jessie had spouted that belonged to her mother. Driving around Fontana looking for a house with Jessie’s new car parked in front of it was a bust.

The hours of sleep he’d had could be counted on one hand, the meals on less than that.

The ring he’d ordered from the jeweler had arrived, and Jack sat on his bed in his room staring at it. It belonged on Jessie’s finger. All he had to do was put it there.

The voices of his sister and father carried from the living room. The two of them had actually joined forces in busting Jack’s balls for deceiving Jessie as he had. It was nice to see that Jack could bring his overbearing father in sync with his meddlesome daughter.

Between the two of them, you’d think one would have a surefire way to find Jessie.

His sister had always butted in uninvited as a kid, so what stopped her now?

Sister.

Jack’s thoughts turned to Monica.

Gaylord was riling Katie about the tightness of her jeans when Jack walked into the room.

“I wear ’em to tick you off, Daddy.”

“Don’t think I don’t know it,” Gaylord chided.

“There you are,” Katie called when Jack walked by them on the way to his computer. “Are you going to eat?”

“Not now, Katie.”

“Did you figure out a way to find her?” his father asked.

“Jessie’s sister, Monica. I just need to find her cell phone number.” Jack sat down at his desk and turned on his computer.

Katie called out a series of numbers, but Jack ignored her.

Then his head popped up and he slowly turned in his seat. “Monica’s number?” he asked his sister.

His sassy sister winked at him. “Doubt she’ll tell you where Jessie is. I didn’t have any luck.”

“You talked with Monica?”

At least Katie had the good sense to let the shit-eating grin on her face fall. “Don’t look so shocked. Sisters are always looking out for each other.”

“You don’t have a sister.” Jack hoped his sister heard the sternness in his voice.

“I get the divine pleasure of looking out for you.”

“When did you talk to Monica?”

“Before we flew back. I’ve left a message for her since, but she hasn’t called me back.”

All this time Katie may have held the key to finding Jessie and she had held out on him. Why?

Jack picked up the phone. “What’s her number again?”

Katie called out the seven digits and Jack put the number to use. While the phone rang, Jack moved to the patio for some privacy.

He was about to give up when suddenly Monica’s voice said, “Well, if it isn’t the town snake. How is the grass you’re lying in, Jack? Get it, lying in?” There wasn’t a drop of humor in Monica’s voice.

“I can explain everything.”

“Save it. I’m not interested.”

Jack knew he’d lose her if he didn’t act fast.

“There is no other woman. The picture on TV was of my sister. Sassy woman who talked to you last week.”

Monica was breathing into the phone, but not saying a thing.