Her car phone rang.

Katie hit a button on the console, muting her radio and activating her hands-free microphone.

“Hi,” she said, speaking loudly to be heard over the wind and the sound of the other cars.

“Oh, good. You’re in your car,” her youngest sister, Mia, said, sounding delighted. “I was calling to make sure you’re still coming home this weekend.”

“I’m already on my way. How’s school?”

“Good. I’m settling into my classes and getting ready for midterms.”

Katie frowned as she followed the curving interchange. “Didn’t you just start the quarter?”

Mia sighed dramatically. “Tell me about it. I love UCLA, but the quarter system is so tough. I barely figure out what the class is about and suddenly it’s time for midterms.”

“And despite the pressure, you dazzle us all with your straight A’s.”

“I try.” Mia giggled. “Guess what? There’s gonna be an announcement at dinner.”

“Announcement?” Katie eased into the fast lane and concentrated on the minivan in front of her. “Good or bad?”

The Marcelli family had a tradition of announcing news at large family gatherings. Once everyone was seated and the meal had been served, the pronouncements began. Confirmations of births, blights, and illness were made, along with surprises, some welcome, some not.

Katie quickly considered the possibility of damage to the vines, but it was only February. Everything was dormant.

“Good,” Mia said with another giggle. “Very good.”

“Want to give me a hint?”

“Not really. So how was your Valentine’s Day?”

Katie remembered the quiet evening she’d spent in front of her tiny fireplace. She’d celebrated one of her favorite days with a bottle of champagne, Godiva chocolates, and a romance novel.