"Do you think we'll meet any men at this joint?" Rina asked as she pulled her purse out of the drawer in her desk. "Because with my new 'Hot Stuff' column, I could use some good interaction."

Rina might claim her interest was in work, but Emma didn't miss the sparkle in Rina's gaze at the mention of meeting a member of the opposite sex. Oh, this was going to be fun, Emma thought. "With your cheekbones, you'd meet men anywhere."

"Why, thank you, Emma." Rina fluttered her mascara-free lashes with obvious exaggeration, then grabbed her winter coat from the back of her chair.

Emma wrapped her heavy shawl more securely around her shoulders. Together, they started for the door, but as they walked by the empty desk beside Rina's, Emma paused. "Did you hear the news?" she asked.

Rina shook her head. "I came in late today and worked all afternoon." She pointed to the Walkman she often wore when deep in thought. "What news?"

"That desk will have an occupant soon. The prodigal son has returned." Emma ran her hand over the old, empty desk. One no one was allowed to take in case Colin Lyons should return.

"I don't understand," Rina said.

"You already know that Corinne took over the paper from her sick husband, Joe."

The young woman nodded. "He's in the hospital and Corinne's worried."

"Right. And so is Joe's son. The man's a wanderer. He never stays in one place, to his poor father's chagrin." Emma placed a hand over her heart, knowing how she loved having her children and grandchildren around her. Even New York, where her granddaughter, Grace, lived, was too far away from Emma's home in Massachusetts. She couldn't imagine having a world traveler in the family. "But he's home now. And Corinne said he'll be working here." Emma pointed to the empty chair…a chair a few feet from Rina's desk.

The possibilities flitted through Emma's mind, giving her an adrenaline rush. Colin was a gorgeous man with sparkling blue eyes and the most amazing smile. But he'd never stick around for longer than he had to. Emma knew this because he'd been her grandson Logan's college roommate. She loved Colin like he was her own grandchild, but felt he was missing out on so much that life had to offer. A warm bed to come home to, a good woman…