After dinner, the four retired to the terrace for drinks. Walker leaned against the large pillar, and Grace, who was dressed for the evening in the most modern Capri's and a sleeveless shirt sat on the porch swing. Hannah and Tattie each took a seat in a wicker chair. Walker took a cigarette out of his pocket, and lit it. He only smoked in stressful situations, and for some reason, this was an extremely stressful situation. "Walker. Put that hideous thing away. And especially not in front of Hannah."

Walker put the cigarette down, and stamped on it.

"My apologies, Hannah."

"Not at all Walker. Those who want to kill themselves should go right on doing it."

Grace smiled to herself, and took a great interest in her small glass of red wine. She was completely sure that there was a great deal of attraction between Walker and Hannah, but without her help, they might never get together. As she sipped her wine, she formulated a plan in her head that might help her brother and best friend see the light of day. While Hannah chatted with Tattie, before she had gone inside to get a refill on her drink (some things never changed), Walker had taken a seat on the porch railing, leaning against the column. Grace decided to get the conversation back to the one thing that Hannah and Walker had plenty of interest in: journalism.

"So. Hannah. What's it like traveling all over?"

Hannah smiled. She truly loved her work. The last few years had been hard, what with everything that had happened, and she dearly missed her father, but it was good to be home. Even with Walker around.

"Wonderful. All my presents from India are in the suitcase, Grace."

Being a journalist from one of the No. 5 magazines on the east coast meant going the extra mile.or hundreds of miles. India had been beautiful, and she would never forget it. She even intended on returning there for her honeymoon. Whenever that would be.

"India? Isn't that a little far from the kitchen, Hannah?"

Grace looked at Walker, and gaped openly. Fortunately, in her travels, Hannah had acquired that one characteristic that had made her the woman she was today: Class.

"I suppose so, Walker. But I really haven't been in the kitchen for quite some time."

Grace, on the other hand, hadn't.

"How dare you, Walker. Couldn't you, for just once be a gentleman?"

"No, Grace it's fine."

Hannah tried to stop the train wreck she saw coming, but Grace would have none of it.

"Hannah, could you excuse Walker and myself for five minutes. Check on Tattie?"

"Grace-"

"I'll be right there, Hannah."

Hannah sighed, and walked into the house, leaving Grace and Walker on the porch. Walker continued to drink his brandy, and lit another cigarette, which Grace grabbed out of his mouth, and stepped on.

"Hey!"

"I can't believe you."

"What?"

"My friend, Walker. My sister. All I wanted was for you to make an effort. Her father died, walker. The man who was like a father to ME. And you go and act like she's the spawn of all Satin. What the hell is your problem?"

"Red Aisle, Grace. You couldn't have warned me?"

"What does that have to do with ANYTHIGN? It's not like she's a major competitor of yours."

"After last time, you didn't think even a heads up would be appropriate?"

"After last time you didn't deserve the opportunity to ever speak to her again."

Walker put his glass on the railing with a large THUMP. He walked up to Grace and got into her face.

"You think I don't know that? You think I didn't feel bad for weeks-months after that"

"You were a beast to her."

"I know! I know that. She probably picked the worst day of my life to tell me what her feelings were."

"NOW IT'S HER FAULT?"

Without another word, Grace turned on her heel and walked to the door, but when she got there, she paused.

"If you wanted to make things right, she enjoys roses."

And then she disappeared, leaving Walker standing on the porch in the fading light.

"Damnit."