Lucio thoroughly enjoyed the drive up to Sonoma. Back at Genevieve's place, she'd tossed him the keys to her Volkswagen and slid into the passenger seat with a smile, comfortable with Lucio being behind the wheel. Josh and Jason took up residence in the back, Senorita Chiquita on her satin pillow between them.

The boys chatted the whole way, regaling him with stories of their own life adventures, including the time Josh almost fell off a scenic overlook into the Grand Canyon, the night Jason got thrown in juvenile detention for underage drinking, and Josh's elaborate plans to become president of the United States.

You can take my official portrait when the time comes, Josh told him.

It would be an honor, Lucio said.

Next the boys told a revealing tale of their grandmother's weeklong stay while their parents' divorce was finalized.

We don't see Grams a lot, so it was kind of weird having her stay with us, Jason said. She was a Hollywood actress, did Mom tell you? And she's still kind of glamorous-looking, even though she can't move her face so good anymore.

Lucio frowned. She had a stroke?

She had Botox, Josh said. Lots of it.

Jason jumped in. And a chin lift and something that yanked up her eyelids so much that she always looks like she's just seen somebody get ax-murdered, and a bunch of other shiii He stopped himself before he cursed in front of his mother. Good for him, Lucio thought.

She's had a few too many procedures, Ginger explained, clearly uneasy with the subject matter.

How many? Lucio asked.

Ginger let go with a tired sigh. She's been under the knife more times than a sheet cake at a kid's birthday party.

The boys laughed. Genevieve shook her head and looked out the window. Lucio nodded slowly, grateful for another piece to Genevieve's puzzle.

Yeah, and she's always telling Mom she needs ‘work done,' too. Joshua leaned closer to Lucio's headrest to whisper theatrically into his ear. Maybe you could tell her she doesn't. Maybe she'll listen to you.

That's enough, guys, Ginger said.

Well, you won't listen to anyone else, Josh said.

Lucio glanced at an annoyed Genevieve in the seat next to him. Please, do not do it, mi amor, he said, watching her frown. He noticed that she did not succumb to her usual tap-tap-tapping of her forehead, however, and that impressed him.

He tried to keep his eyes on Route 37 North, but it was difficult. The sun was hitting Ginger at an angle that transformed her hair into ribbons of coppers, browns, and golds, with just the tiniest hint of silver threaded throughout. Her hazel eyes shimmered, despite the frown.

Nature has already done all the work you need, Lucio told her. You are the rarest wildflower, at the peak of her splendor.

Ginger tried to hide her embarrassed smile. There was no comment from the back, at least not right away.

Okay, that was awkward, Jason said.

Lucio laughed, checking in the rearview mirror on the teenagers, who didn't look like they felt the least bit awkward. They were grinning, in fact. They looked relieved that someone might have talked some sense into their motheror simply lavished her with the kind of praise she deserved.

I Googled you the other day, Josh said. You're one of the most famous photographers in the world.

Lucio chuckled. I would not go that far.

But you are, man, Jason said. Your pictures have been on the cover of a bunch of magazines like Geographica and Smithsonian and Nature. You were even in a PBS special. We watched it on YouTube!

Ah, yes. Lucio nodded, thinking back to the documentary that Sylvie Westcott had produced in the late eightieswhen she first met up with Piers and Lucio. That was a very long time ago.

God, it had to be, Josh said. You looked young!

Jason smacked his brother on the shoulder. You're a complete jacktard, he told him. No, waitpardon meyou're president of the Jacktards of America!

Lucio looked to Genevieve in bewilderment.

You don't want to know, she said, shaking her head. She raised her voice to add, And that's the last time he'll ever hear that expression used by either of my sons, isn't that right?

Silence had returned to the back seat.

Isn't that right? Genevieve repeated, threatening to turn all the way around in her seat.

That's right, Mom, Jason said, his voice soft.

Ass-wipe, Josh said, smacking his brother in retaliation.

Joshua Franklin Garrison!

Okay. Okay, Mom.

The last ten miles of the trip were much quieter, but as they pulled up to the gates of Samhain Ranch, Genevieve smiled shyly at Lucio. He knew exactly what she was thinking, because he was thinking of it, too.

I haven't been here since the wedding, she said.

Me, either. Lucio could not hold back. He reached for his wild woman of the vineyards and brought her hand to his lips. He didn't care if the boys saw. He had nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of. He was going to do everything right when it came to this woman. He would not give her anything less than the best he had in him.

Genevieve did not pull her hand away. Her smile grew and she let out a little laugh of pure pleasure. And the second his mouth brushed the top of her fingers, he knew it would be pointless to avoid the truth any longerhe loved her. He wanted to be with her, always.

Finally, after more than twenty years of roaming, Lucio had found his home.

Wait! Wait! I have it! Roxie jumped from her wicker chair on the front porch of Rick and Josie's ranch house, suddenly inspired.

What'd you decide? Josie asked. She'd just come back from the kitchen with another platter of chicken and steak taquitos with all the trimmingsguacamole, sour cream, fresh salsa, tomatilla sauce. Lucio beat even Josh and Jason in the race for seconds.

I am picturing a rain forest setting, Roxie said, looking out onto the vineyards, reaching out like a movie director framing a scene. It's kind of surreal, maybe mists rising from the ground, mountains, waterfalls, a jaguar or two pushing through tall grass in the background.

Rick wagged his eyebrows at Lucio and raised his glass of lemonade in a toast. I hope you've got Photoshop, he said, and they both laughed.

I hope you've got dry ice, Bea said.

Roxie's eyes shone. She raised her chin and put her shoulders back. And I'm standing there, an Amazon woman, full of my own glory and powera true queen.

Lucio finished his taquito. That would make a grand statement, he said.

Roxie wasn't done. And I'm holding a spear that's way taller than I am and wearing some kind of headdress with plumes from exotic birds. My midriff is bare but my breastplate is ornate.

Well, duh, Bea said dryly. Those plain ole breastplates are so yesterday.

Shhh, Bea, Josie said, giggling as she snuggled into her spot next to Rick on the white wicker love seat. Lucio smiled as he watched his friend casually put his arm around his wife and grin at her. All evening, Lucio had been entranced by how perfectly the newly married couple complemented each other. They hosted this party like they'd done it a thousand times, though it was their first official get-together at the ranch since the wedding. Rick's face was perpetually lit up, like he'd discovered the key to everything.

It looked to Lucio like Josie and Rick had been designed for each other. They fittheir personalities, their spirits, their physical bodies. And the ranch fit both of them. Even their three dogs seemed ecstatically happy with the arrangement. From where Lucio sat, it appeared the universe had settled down around the couple with a great sigh of relief, everything in place, just as it was supposed to be.