Stone Soup

Valerie Stone is a widow in her late 30s. She is mature and somewhat serious and bears much of the financial burden for her daughters, her mother, and Biscuit, the family dog. Val’s husband was the love of her life, so she has little time or interest in romance—until a chance encounter with a motorcycle cop.

Joan is Val's younger sister. She and her son, Max, moved in with Val after Joan’s husband went out for milk and never returned. She struggled to make ends meet working as a freelance copywriter. Before long, she caught the eye of Wally, the nice guy next door. They eventually married and are the proud parents of baby Luci.

Holly (13) and Alix (10) are Val's daughters. Alix enjoys a blissfully naive childhood and plenty of tomboy energy. Holly, like many girls her age, is angsty and self-absorbed and obeys most of the rules—if it's convenient. Holly and Alix share a room, fight, compete for attention, and generally make life interesting.

Val’s neighbor Wally is the epitome of a swell guy. In short order this slightly schlumpy insurance salesman went from single guy living a simple life to taking in a 15-year-old nephew having trouble at home, marrying a woman with a toddler, and becoming a father. He takes it all in stride.

Max and Luci are the youngest members of the extended Stone family. Toddler Max and his little sister Luci keep their parents on their toes and sometimes up all night.

Gramma Evie, Val and Joan's mother, lives upstairs at Val's house. She is not the typical warm and fuzzy little old lady. She’s a pragmatic, energetic retiree not content to sit at home knitting. Recently, Gramma decided to see the world (and maybe find love) as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity building homes in Asia.

Andy is Wally's 15-year-old nephew. Wally's sister ran into tough times and asked Wally to help her son for the summer. Things worked out so well, Andy asked to stay. He's a good kid, but in the throes of adolescence, with pierced ears and an occasional attitude. Holly finds him irresistible.

Phil Jackson is a motorcycle cop who forgets his gun, lets speeding single mothers off the hook out of pity, and worries that the world is becoming too fast-paced. He was so smitten with Val when he pulled her over on a harried Monday morning that he followed her home and asked her out. He and Val are getting to know each other better.