The teleconference call with Jeffrey Rains really hadn’t served any purpose more than to frustrate Maxine further. He hadn’t revealed much beyond the fact that he’d witnessed the car accident and thought her to be dead all these years. She couldn’t convince him to tell her any more on the phone nor would he agree to meet her any sooner that the appointed time in New York three weeks hence. For this reason Maxine decided to put it all out of her mind and concentrated on packing up her Montreal home in preparation for the move back to the United States.

For the past few weeks her focus had been on the future and what life would be like being back in the states, having her family complete and rekindling a special friendship with Peter Hartman. Granted the fact that Peter lived in Philadelphia would mean a lot of commuting back and forth but he didn’t seem to mind. He was still smitten with the beautiful woman even after a thirty five year separation. This time he had every intention of acting on his feelings; especially since they were reciprocated. They’d moved pretty quickly to get Maxine situated. Less than a month after she made her decision to return to the United States here she was living with Greg and Cole. Although the living arrangements were only temporary until she found a place of her own Maxine was soon ensconced in her new life.

***

Greg and Cole loved entertaining and having friends stay over. Although it was vast in size their six bedroom house sitting on 4 acres of land had a very homey comfortable feel; and no doubt felt lived in. The antiques and collectibles that they’d acquired over the years were tastefully displayed. It was obvious that at least one of them had a flair for home décor. The house had four large bedrooms and two masters with en suite bathrooms. Greg and Cole occupied the larger of the two master bedrooms. The second one was the room Bette and Tina used when they stayed overnight but now it was Maxine’s bedroom. It was ideal not only because it offered Maxine her space and privacy but it was also located in the same wing as Angie’s bedroom.