“I see you tried to find an old lady in distress,” the admiral chuckled. “The young fellow who beat you to her got quite a surprise. I say, she was a prickly one.”

“At least Sterling didn’t waste a minute when he reached earth,” the nurse said approvingly.

Sterling glowed to hear the praise. “Thank you, thank you. As you can understand, I don’t want to waste a minute now. I believe I can best help Marissa when I fully understand the cause of her problem.

“Marissa’s father and grandmother were planning to take her to Radio City Music Hall last New Year’s Eve morning. But something went wrong just before that. They came to see her very early that day and told her they had to go away for a while.”

The monk nodded. “To get to the root of most problems you have to do some digging in the past.”

The shepherd, who had been very quiet, suddenly spoke up. “Most people’s problems go way back. You should have met my family. Why do you think I became a shepherd? The only place I got a little peace was out on the hill.”

They all laughed. “Don’t get me started,” the queen said. “My family’s problems were the talk of the kingdom.”

The monk cleared his throat. “I think we all understand you, Sterling. We know why you’re here. You are requesting permission to go back in time to learn why Marissa’s father and grandmother needed to leave town.”

“That’s it, sir,” Sterling said humbly. “Perhaps you feel that by granting permission you’ll make my job too easy, and of course, if that’s the case, I don’t expect special favors.”

“When you see what this is all about you may need a few special favors,” the matador said wryly. “Personally, it’s my opinion that you’ll be stepping in the ring with two bulls, not one, and-”

The monk shushed the matador. “It is Sterling ’s job to figure this out for himself.” His hand reached for the button.

That was fast, Sterling thought as he felt himself once again hurtling through the solar system. They’re sending me a different way. I guess because I’m going back in time.

The next thing he knew he was standing in the parking lot of an inviting-looking restaurant. Seems to be pretty popular, he observed. Through the windows he could see that there was a bustle of activity inside. To get his bearings, he walked to the end of the driveway and read the sign: NOR’S PLACE.

Very good, he thought. Marissa’s grandmother’s restaurant. He didn’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out that the next step would be to go inside and take a look around. He hurried back up the driveway, climbed the steps, crossed the porch, and started to open the door.

I can just go through it, he chided himself. No use wasting heat. A sharp breeze accompanied him inside, where a shapely woman of about sixty, with blond hair held up in a loose twist by a jeweled comb, was standing at a small desk, studying the reservations book.

She looked up. Tendrils of blond hair brushed her forehead.

A most attractive woman in a showy kind of way, Sterling thought.

“I’d swear I shut that door tight,” Nor Kelly murmured as with two quick strides she was beside him, giving the door a decisive pull.

“NorNor, sit down. Your coffee’s here,” a child’s voice called.

A familiar voice. Sterling whirled around to face the dining room. Mahogany paneled walls, tables covered with crisp white cloths and topped with wide red candles created a cheery and welcoming atmosphere. A piano was at a right angle to the bar. Strings of Christmas lights twinkled on the walls and windows, and holiday music was playing softly in the background.

“NorNor,” the child called again.

His eyes roamed the crowded room. A little girl was standing at a corner table just to the right of the door. She was looking in his direction. It was Marissa! She was slightly younger looking, her hair a little shorter, but the most noticeable difference was how happy she looked. Her eyes were sparkling, her lips were curved in a smile, she had on a bright red skating outfit. With her was a strikingly handsome, blue-eyed, dark-haired man in his late twenties.

Billy Campbell, Sterling thought. He’s got movie-star looks. I wish I’d looked like that when I was alive, he reflected. Not that I had anything to complain about.

Nor looked up. “I’ll be right there, Rissa.”

It was obvious Marissa had not seen him. Of course, Sterling thought. We’re not due to meet until next year.

He strolled over to the table and took a seat opposite Marissa. What a difference in her, he thought tenderly.

She and her father were finishing lunch. The crusts of a grilled cheese sandwich were on Marissa’s plate. I never liked crusts either, Sterling remembered.

“Daddy, can’t I please go to the party with you?” Marissa asked as she played with the straw in her soda. “I love to hear you and NorNor sing, and I promise I won’t be a pest.”

“You’re never a pest, Rissa,” Billy said, giving her hair a tug. “But this party is not for kids, believe me.”

“I want to see what that big house looks like inside.”

“A lot of people do,” Billy murmured, raising one eyebrow. “Listen, we’re going to Radio City on New Year’s Eve. That will be a lot more fun. Trust me.”

“A kid at school said that the men who own that house are like the people in The Sopranos.”

Billy laughed. “That’s another reason not to bring you there, kiddo.”

Sopranos? Sterling thought.

Nor Kelly slipped into the chair next to Marissa. “Don’t forget your other grandma is coming to your mom’s house in time for dinner tonight. You were looking forward to seeing her.”

“She’s staying for three days. I can see her tomorrow. I don’t want to miss the chance to hear you two sing.”

Billy’s eyes twinkled. “You’re too young to be a groupie.”

Groupie? So many new words, Sterling thought.

“Daddy, everybody loves your new song. You’re going to be so famous.”

“You bet he is, Rissa,” Nor confirmed.

I can see why Marissa has missed them so much, Sterling thought. She’s in her element with them. Already, he thoroughly liked Nor Kelly and Billy Campbell. You could not mistake that they were mother and son, and that Marissa had inherited those blue eyes, fair skin, and good looks from them. Nor and Billy had the natural charisma of born performers, and Marissa was already showing signs of possessing that same quality.

The restaurant was beginning to empty, and people were stopping by the table to say good-bye. “See you on New Year’s Eve,” a number of them said. “We’d never miss your party, Nor.”

“That party I’m coming to,” Marissa said decisively, pointing her finger for emphasis.

“Until ten o’clock,” Billy agreed, “then you’re out of here.”

“Don’t try last year’s trick of hiding behind the bar when it’s time to go home,” Nor warned, laughing. “And speaking of going home, your mother should be here any minute, and Daddy and I have to get moving. We’re due at our job in an hour.”

Billy stood up. “Here’s Mom, Rissa.”

Denise Ward was crossing the room to them. “Hi, Billy. Hi, Nor. I’m sorry I’m late,” she apologized. “I had to pick up some groceries, and the line at the checkout counter practically went around the store. But I bought what we need to make cookies, Marissa.”

Neither Denise nor Billy could be thirty yet, Sterling thought. They obviously had married young, and although divorced, seemed to have stayed friendly. Just looking at the two of them, she in her somewhat prim winter pantsuit and he in his black jeans and boots, you could tell they weren’t on the same wavelength.

And God knows Billy Campbell hadn’t followed the adage that every man marries his mother. No one would ever accuse Nor Kelly of looking prim. She was wearing a striking white cashmere pantsuit with a colorful print silk scarf, complemented by eye-catching costume jewelry.