Chapter 1

It was hot.

And Paige Newsome was angry. No, make that boiling, as she stared steadily at Dr. Zayed Nair, her department chair. She wasn’t going to have a tantrum. She wasn’t a little girl. At forty-nine, she was strong, disciplined, and professional to the core. But really. Seriously? Dr. Nair wanted her to teach another course now, two weeks before semester started, a course where she’d team teach with a visiting instructor?

“This is a lot to take in,” she said tightly, wishing Dr. Nair would just once, once, turn on his air conditioner when temperatures were in the nineties. His office felt like an oven, and normally she could just leave, but she couldn’t just leave now. Dr. Nair claimed he thought better when he was warm, but she felt as if she’d melt. Or explode. “I don’t know what to say.”

Dr. Nair’s hands lifted, gestured broadly. “Yes, would be nice?”

They both knew that wasn’t the answer she wanted to give. They both knew he’d promised not to put her in this position again, but here she was. Paige squared her shoulders, gave her right arm a faint shake, making the bangles on her wrist softly clink. “There’s really no one else who can do this?”

“I’ve asked.”

She could feel the scratchy weight of her ponytail against her neck, and the bold cat eyeglasses she liked to wear slip down her nose. She wasn’t glowing, but sweating, and if she’d known this was why Dr. Nair wanted to meet with her, she would have just stayed home. “No grad students who could take it on?”

“It’s not appropriate for a grad student. We need someone with experience, someone with an outstanding reputation. You have both.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, Dr. Nair, but how hard did you try to find a replacement before you decided on me?”

“I put out a call via email to the entire department, there were no takers.”

Paige had noticed that as well, but she hoped he’d done more than just sent the one email. She hoped he’d actually reached out to individuals directly. “Am I the first one you approached?”

“Esther suggested you.”

“And here I thought Esther was my friend,” Paige muttered.

Dr. Nair gave her a patient smile. “She is. That’s why she suggested you. You’ll be teaching with the legendary Professor King.”

Paige pictured an elderly man leaning heavily on a cane. “What makes him legendary?”

“He’s one of the most respected teaching scientists in the world.”

“And he’s going to be teaching for Orange?” She couldn’t mask her incredulity.

“It’s a huge win for us. We’ve got him for a year, and we want to take advantage of this opportunity. The alumni are thrilled. Dr. Keller is thrilled. Jack King’s a fantastic instructor— “

“Jack King?” she interrupted, skin prickling. She’d known a Jack King, thirty odd years ago, and he wasn’t an elderly man leaning on a cane. He’d been a PhD candidate, participating in an international forum she’d attended in Paris. He’d also been sex on two legs. She was fairly certain he wasn’t the one and same, but still. Paige hadn’t thought of him in years, and yet it was still so easy to picture him. Tall, broad shoulders, handsome.

A great kisser. Adventurous in bed.

Her cheeks heated at the last.

“He’s one of the leading epidemiologists in the world, and he’s going to bring the college a lot of publicity. It’ll be good for Orange. Alumni are already writing checks.”

Paige was still trying to figure out if the legendary Jack King was her Jack King—not that he was hers—that was stretching it. But she needed to know.

Dr. Nair was still talking, hands gesturing broadly. “Private universities depend on donations, and thanks to Professor King, we will see some significant funding for the Veneman College of Science and Technology.”

Paige couldn’t complain about that. The College of Science and Technology had been overlooked for years. It needed new technology, new laboratories, an upgrade in the building itself. “That’s a win then.”

“It is.” Dr. Nair gave her a sympathetic look. “So, we’re all good? You’ll take Esther’s course?”

“I still don’t know anything about it.”

“You’ve taught statistics for years. It won’t be a problem for you. You’ll just be using a different book and syllabus.”

“Which book?”

Dr. Nair shuffled through papers on his desk before shaking his head. “I don’t have the details here. But Jack should be able to fill you in on everything. You’ll be meeting him tomorrow. He flies in tonight from Delhi.”

“Delhi?”

“He was speaking to a conference. He does that a lot.”

“He won’t be too jetlagged?”

“Jack assured me he’ll be fine.”

Jack King couldn’t be that elderly then. Not unless he was Superman. “Where will we be meeting?”

“I’ll text you the time and place. I’m trying to find something convenient for everyone.”

“You’ll attend?”
Dr. Nair nodded. “I’m looking forward to meeting Jack. And so are the alumni. We’re hosting an event Friday night at the President Keller’s house. Make sure to save the date. You’ll want to be there.”

Paige stood, feeling more than a little queasy. “Want to be there, as in, it’s required to be there?”

He smiled, as if she’d made a joke. “Everyone from the College is attending. It’s important we put on a good show.”

As Paige left Dr. Nair’s office, she got a sympathetic look from his secretary, Andi McDermott. “Sorry,” Andi mouthed.

Paige nodded grimly, grateful for Andi in a department dominated by men. “Did you know?” she asked, aware that Andi had been an ally ever since Paige joined the Orange faculty.

“I tried to suggest a few others, but Dr. Nair was convinced you were the right one.”

“Thank you for having my back.”

“Always.”

Paige continued down the hall to her office, a narrow shoebox of a space, but she loved the tall window that let in lots of light and gave her a view of the historic quad, surrounded by two- and three-story white plaster buildings topped by handcrafted red tiles. Located ten minutes from the mission in San Juan Capistrano, and twenty minutes from the ocean, Orange University had been founded in 1896 as a university for men but shifted in the early thirties to include women.

Closing her door, she turned on the fan positioned on top of her filing cabinet and stood in front of the whirling blades, trying to cool down. She was hot and sticky and annoyed. As well as slightly panicked.

Someone else should have been tapped to teach the course. Someone else should have stepped up to teach with the legend. This was the second time in less than two years she’d been squeezed into a last-minute assignment. The second-time Dr. Nair was in a bind, with no other options. It seemed rather ludicrous that she was the only option he ever had. Or was she the only one he could count on to say yes?

A light knock sounded on her door before it opened. Greg Hsu, an assistant professor in the Biological Science program, stuck his head around the door. “Hey,” he said. “Bad time?”

“No,” Paige said, adjusting the fan so that it could better circulate the air. “Come in.” She gestured for him to take a seat across from her desk. Greg was one of her favorite people in the college. They’d both been hired the same year, although he was twenty years younger, and ten times funnier. “You’re back,” she added.

“I am.”

“Did you have a good summer?”

He dropped into the empty chair and folded his arms behind his head. “I did, but I’m exhausted. I think three kids is plenty. No more.”

“I like my three,” she agreed, sitting on a corner of her desk. “You guys did that national park road trip, didn’t you? How did it go?”

“Eight parks in four weeks. Four thousand, six hundred, twenty-nine miles.”

“That’s a lot of driving.”

“A lot of campgrounds. A lot of crying and fighting. A lot of dump stations. Glad to be home.”

“I’d like to see the parks, but I’d do hotels, maybe those big lodges. Not a big fan of camping or cooking over an open fire.”

“No open fires anymore, at least during summer.”

“So how do you make s’mores?”

“Over a propane grill.”

“Not the same.”

“Kids didn’t mind.” Greg leaned forward. “And congrats. I just heard the news.”

Her stomach did a flip. She felt like throwing up. “Who told you?”

“A schoolwide email went out a moment ago.”

Now she really felt like throwing up. “But I just left Dr. Nair’s office.”

“I think everyone knew it was pretty much a slam dunk. Let’s face it, you make us look good. Smart, loyal, devoted to both students and faculty. You have an impeccable reputation.”

“I sound like a well-trained Labrador.”

He laughed. “And that’s why I like you so much. That very dry sense of humor.”

“Not so dry. You just happen to get me.”

“I do. You’re my favorite person in this department.” Greg looked hopeful. “When do you meet him?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Lucky dog—sorry, no pun intended.”

She rolled her eyes. “None taken.”

“You know, Jack King is one of the reasons I focused on ecology, and epidemiology of infectious diseases.”

“So, you know who he is?”

“I do.”

She was dying to ask the questions hovering on the tip of her tongue. How old is Jack King? Is he hot? Is he Australian? Instead she forced the questions back and managed a careless shrug. “Too bad you can’t teach the course with him.”

“I don’t teach math, you do.”

“Math is part of what you do.”

“Yes, but this is an interdisciplinary course between the science and math departments. You represent math. Dr. King represents science. I’m not needed.” Greg’s watch buzzed, and he glanced down. “It’s the babysitter. Wife’s working. I better take this. But I’ll see you Friday night at President Keller’s?”

“See you there.” Paige forced a smile, but the moment the door closed, she wanted to scream. There were thirteen math instructors. Thirteen who could have taught the course. And as much as she appreciated Greg’s vote of confidence, surely there was someone else on the faculty with a more stellar reputation?

Until two hours ago Paige had been looking forward to the start of the Fall semester. This summer had been unusually quiet, and she was excited about classes resuming. It hadn’t been a typical summer. Summer was usually when she saw her girls, but this summer her daughters were busy with their own lives—working, traveling, auditioning—and instead of traveling to see them, Paige made frequent trips to Paso Robles to see her mom, as well as picking up tutoring jobs when she could. Paige wasn’t good at relaxing. Life was just easier when one was busy.

But life wouldn’t be easier if she was team teaching with a man, she slept with thirty years ago. It was just one night, a crazy, hormone fueled hook up that shouldn’t have ever happened. She blamed Paris and the moonlight. Thank goodness she hadn’t gotten pregnant. She’d gone on to earn multiple degrees and have a real life–

Her phone rang, interrupting the thought.

Paige reached across her desk, checking the number. It was Nichole, her middle daughter, a chemical engineer working in Chicago. Paige popped in her ear buds and took the call. “This is a nice surprise,” she said, sitting down in her chair. Of her girls, Nichole was the most independent, and the one who reached out the least. “How are you?”

“Not so good,” Nichole said flatly. “Andreas and I broke up.”

“Oh, Nichole, no.”

“We’ve been fighting a lot lately. I just got to the point I couldn’t take it anymore. It didn’t make sense to stay together if we weren’t going to be happy.”

“You broke up with him?”

“I didn’t know what else to do.”

Paige could tell Nichole was fighting tears and she bit her lip, thinking of something wise, or useful to say. “Are you regretting your decision?” she asked carefully, trying to feel her way. Nichole didn’t like opening up, and she didn’t like opinions, either.

“I miss him. I miss how we were, before everything was a hassle.”

“When did things change?”

“A couple months ago, after I got the promotion.”

Paige shook her head, finding it hard to keep up. “You got a promotion?”

“I was made manager of my department.”

“You didn’t tell me. That’s wonderful, Nichole. Did the promotion come with a bump in salary?”

“A significant bump, and a lot more responsibility.” Nichole’s voice thickened with emotion. “That’s why Andreas has been upset. He’d been up for the promotion, too. He thought he deserved it. I think he was sure he’d get it.”

Oh, dear. That explained a lot. But Paige wouldn’t say that, not aloud, not now. “I’m sure he was also proud of you. There aren’t many women working for your company, and certainly not many in management.”

“He said he was happy for me, but ever since, he’s been…just antagonistic. He picks fights over everything. It’s like he resents me now.”

“But Andreas doesn’t report to you, does he?”

“No. We work similar jobs but answer to different directors.”

“He hoped to come to your department then?”

“I guess.” Nichole drew a slow, shuddering breath. “Now we don’t even talk. He’s moved out— “

“You were living together?”

“For the past year, yeah.”

“You never told me.”

“I told you I got a roommate.”

“Yes, but you never said Andreas was your roommate.”

“Well, he isn’t now, is he?”

Paige understood Nichole was hurt, and sensitive, and she let her daughter’s frustration go. “This is rough,” she said. “I’m really sorry you’re having to go through this. Is there anything I can do?”

“No.”

“I could come out for a weekend. I could come maybe next weekend?”

“No, that’s okay. I’m fine. I just thought you should know.”

Paige opened the calendar on her phone, to check her schedule. “I’d love to see you, even for a quick visit. Twenty-four hours— “

“It’s okay, Mom. I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather be alone.”

Paige smashed the sting, refusing to let herself feel hurt. Nichole was struggling. Paige wouldn’t make it about herself. “Call me anytime.”

“Okay. Love you, Mom.”

“Love you, too, sweetheart.” Paige hung up the phone and sat for a moment, processing the call. It took her another moment to realize she wasn’t alone. The university president, Dr. Keller, filled her doorway.

She rose from behind her desk. “Come in, Dr. Keller. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

“Not at all. Am I interrupting?”

“No, of course not. It’s good to see you.” And suddenly Paige knew exactly why he was here. Dr. Keller had come to check on her, make sure she was suitably enthusiastic about the new teaching assignment. It crossed her mind that this was her moment, she could let Dr. Keller know that she wasn’t pleased to be adding a new course at such a late date. She could be honest and communicate her disappointment. She could stand up for herself—

“I understand you’re meeting Dr. King tomorrow,” Dr. Keller said, hands folding behind his back.

This was it. A chance to be an effective communicator. But the words of protest didn’t come. She didn’t like making waves. Her job in her marriage had been to solve problems, not create them. “Yes. Dr. Nair is setting up the meeting. I believe it’s going to be in the afternoon.”

“Dr. King’s flying in from India.”

Again, she wondered about the name, and the man. She needed to look him up. Get informed. “I heard. That’s quite a long flight.”

“Dr. King is one of the most respected ecology and evolutionary biologists in the world. You should see his curriculum vitae. If he’s not in the classroom, he’s either in the field, or at a podium somewhere. Very impressive man.”

“He’s not English, is he?”

“Jack? No. Australian. Born and raised in Melbourne.”

Her heart fell. Her stomach followed. Her Jack had been Australian, too.

“He’s about your age,” Dr. Keller added. “You’re going to enjoy this semester. We all will. We’re very lucky to have him here.”

She struggled to answer his beaming smile with one of her own.

“You know about the party Friday night?” The university president asked.

“I do.”

“You’ll be there, won’t you? We’re expecting a nice turnout. I’d like to introduce you, along with Dr. King. You’re one of our stars, you know. There will be some interviews and press later. Of course, in the beginning, everyone will want to talk to Dr. King, but some of that attention will extend to you. This will be something to put on your resume—not that we want you to go anywhere. We love you here. We want you to be happy here. We all have your back.”

“Thank you, Dr. Keller. I appreciate the support. And I do look forward to seeing you again Friday.”

***

Jack yawned, and yawned again, as he shuffled forward in the line for customs. Customs was never fun, but customs in Los Angeles was nothing short of a grind. At least he was on the ground, and since he never checked luggage, he wouldn’t have to claim any. Once he cleared customs, he’d be free.

Initially he’d wanted to just get a cab and head to his son’s place, but Oliver had insisted on picking him up despite the later hour, and now that he’d arrived, Jack was looking forward to seeing Oliver. It had been almost eight months since he’d last seen him. They’d had a few days together late December, which was never enough, but they were both busy, working, traveling.

Oliver hadn’t gone into science. Instead he’d studied film and at thirty was making a name for himself as a talented young director. Oliver would be leaving to go on set soon, sometime this week, which is why he’d wanted to pick Jack up tonight.

The customs agent asked Jack all the usual questions—where have you been? What were you doing there? What do you plan to be doing here? —and Jack answered the questions honestly, but briefly, knowing that too much small talk actually made one look more suspicious. He thought he was about to be waved through, when the agent flipped through Jack’s passport one last time.

“Will you be doing any more episodes for your show, Dr. King?” the agent asked in a flat, monotone voice, even as he continued to study the colorful stamps in the passport.

Jack shouldn’t have been surprised that the agent recognized him, but he was. He tended to forget about the Discovery Channel program, forgetting that the show had made him familiar to millions. “There is discussion about doing another season. Just trying to figure out when we’d go on location.”

“Do you write the script, or do they?”

Jack couldn’t help a laugh. “I do me, and they film.”

“I thought all shows like that were scripted.”

“They try to give me a script, but I have a hard time sticking to it. I’m not an actor. I won’t reshoot scenes just to get a line right.”

“Maybe that’s why I like your show so much.” The agent slid Jack’s passport across the counter, handing it back. “Take care. Enjoy Los Angeles.”

Jack nodded his thanks and shouldering his bags, headed towards the exit into the arrivals hall. As he stepped through out of immigration into the terminal, his watch pinged with a text from Oliver. Here. Driving your car. Let me know where to find you.

Outside on the curb, Jack looked at the signs around him. Terminal X, Door X, he texted back. Look for Air India.

It was another long wait as just getting around the airport could take forever. Jack fought a yawn, and another. He looked forward to sleeping in a bed tonight. Oliver had a guest room that was also his office but the pullout sofa in there was comfortable and the air conditioning and black out blinds meant Jack would sleep better than he had in days.

Then Jack saw his old car, driven by his tall, curly haired son and Jack grinned and lifted a hand to wave.

Oliver spotted him immediately and pulled as close to the curb as he could, before climbing out.

Oliver was wearing old Levis and a faded Smokey Bear t-shirt emblazoned with the words Only You Can Prevent a Forest Fire.

Jack felt a surge of emotion—love and pride–and his chest tightened. The bond he had with his son was still so strong. It had been just Oliver and him for most of Oliver’s life, and they’d been a team. A very good team. “Hey,” he said, wrapping his son in a bear hug. “You look good.”

Oliver hugged him back. “You’re really going gray, Dad.”

“Not that gray.”

Oliver stepped back, smiled. “Have you seen your beard?”

“Okay, that is gray, but I’m planning on shaving in the morning.”

“Let’s get you home.” Oliver took the duffle bag from Jack’s shoulder. “You must be beat.”

“I did sleep for a couple hours on the plane,” Jack said, climbing into the passenger seat. “You brought Gertie,” he added as Oliver slammed the trunk closed and slid behind the steering wheel.

“She hadn’t been driven all summer. I figured it was time to warm her up, get her ready for her new life in California.”

“Did she start up without a problem?”

“She did.” Oliver patted the dash, even as he shifted into drive. “She’s not a power machine, but she is reliable as hell.”

“Which is all I want or need in a car.”

“How did the conference go?” Oliver asked, merging into the slow airport traffic. Even though it was almost eleven at night the airport was crowded, the wide road filled with red brake flights.

“Good.” Jack rolled down his window and rested his arm on the car door.

Oliver shot his dad an amused glance. “That’s it?”

“It was a good conference. But they always are.”

“Anyone there you knew?”

“A few.” Jack hesitated. “Camille was there. She asked me to say hello to you.”

“Camille Ormond?”

“Yes.”

“How is Dr. Ormond?”

Jack took a moment to answer. Camille was a complicated subject, and it had been uncomfortable seeing her. Too many memories, too much of a past between them. “Exactly the same.”

Oliver shot his father a curious side glance. “Do you regret not marrying her?”

“No.”

“You loved her.”

Jack felt the fatigue of his flight and he rubbed his dry, gritty eyes. “She wasn’t mom material.”

“I had you,” Oliver said simply.

“And I wasn’t a mom.”

“I didn’t need a mom. You were everything.”

Jack felt a sharp pang. Oliver once had a mom, and she’d been amazing. The best of the best. But she’d died when Oliver was seven, and while Oliver didn’t remember much about her, he looked just like her. Dark wavy hair, blue eyes, strong cheekbones and generous mouth. Jack had met Oliver’s mom early in his career. Mara had been a graduate student—not his, thankfully—working on the same field project in Montana and she’d been a passionate conservationist. They’d spent hours discussing biodiversity, land use change, climate change, the future of water. His interest leaned towards international, not surprising since he’d been raised in Australia by two English parents, and she’d been raised outside of Jackson, Wyoming. Mara’s dad had been a national park ranger. Her mom had been a high school English teacher. Mara was happiest outside, hiking, camping, exploring. They spent their honeymoon in the Serengeti, where he was in charge of a field study, and Jack was conceived there, under the African sky.

Mara finished her doctorate just before she gave birth to Oliver, and together they moved to the East Coast where Jack taught.

Mara was not a city girl. She didn’t love New Jersey. She pined for her mountains, and so every chance she could, she’d take Oliver home with her, back to her beloved Grand Tetons.

Oliver was two when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She fought hard and made it until his first week of 2^nd grade, before she couldn’t fight anymore.

Three years after Mara passed, Jack began dating casually. It had to be casual as he was still numb. Camille was the first woman who’d made him feel much of anything, and they’d had a passionate, physical relationship. Camille, a fellow scientist from Winnipeg, was beautiful, sophisticated, interesting, but she would never replace Mara. Nor was she meant to.

“Is she still single?” Oliver asked, changing lanes, navigating traffic on the way to his apartment in Santa Monica.

“Who?” Jack asked, pulled from his thoughts.

“Dr. Ormond.”

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”

“Was she wearing a ring?”

“I didn’t look.”

“Dad. Come on.”

Jack shrugged. “I’m happy as I am.”

“Playing the field.”

“What’s wrong with that? You’re happy single.”

“I’m twenty-eight, not fifty-six.”

“Fifty-five,” Jack corrected. “And only a month ago.

“The point is, you’re not getting younger.”

“Neither are you.”

Oliver gave him a look of disbelief. “You really want to see me settled down before I’m thirty?”

“I was married and a dad at your age.”

“Yes, but you’d met Mom. I haven’t met anyone that makes me think, this should be forever.”

“You will one day. When it’s right. And relationships are hard when you’re on the road as much as you are.”

“I take it you’re speaking from experience, Dad?”

“Relationships take a lot of time, and energy. Don’t ever settle just so you can be with someone. That’s no way to live. Or love.”

“I had no idea you were such a romantic, Dad.”

“Hardly. I just don’t see the point expending time and energy into a relationship if it doesn’t add exponentially to your life. We’re only here on earth so long. Make everyday matter.”

Traffic was growing lighter. Oliver put on his signal and turned at the corner. They weren’t far from his place. “Advice you’ve modeled every day of my life.”

“Must be annoying sometimes.”

“Sometimes,” Oliver agreed, smiling wryly. “But the rest of the time, you’re damn inspiring, Dad. I’m proud of you.”

“Proud of you, too, Oliver.”