It was all so wonderfully civil. It was also frustrating.

Holly and Noelle needed me. I was more convinced of it every day. And I wanted them. I visualized being with them when they started middle school, started their periods, fell in love for the first time and got rejected. I would know how to dole out consequences if they got caught smoking or drinking, cheated on a test or even turned into straight A students. I would always love them, no matter what. The girls felt like my own.

How did I tell Bryce I wanted to keep his daughters with me? Of course, he would always be their father. I told myself they could spend time with him whenever he was on shore, as long as it coincided with school schedules. I would never stand between them in any way. And if Teo and I ended up together? I would make sure he didn’t replace Bryce in their hearts. Wasn’t there enough room for all of us? Bryce could continue doing the job he loved, knowing that his daughters were under the loving care of their aunt and grandparents.

Didn’t my mother and father need the girls now? When Mom and Dad were still trying to deal with the ugly truth about their older daughter?

“I want to bring my fairy night-light.” Noelle pulled it from the socket closest to the door and crossed to put it in her suitcase.

“I’m bringing the Paddington books,” Holly said. She was almost giddy with joy that she was spending a whole week with her father.

“Clothes?” I asked. “I know you have some in Connecticut, but anything you want from here?”

I watched them select a few shirts, Holly more carefully than her younger sister. Noelle added a stuffed toy, Holly a string art kit my parents had given her. Once Bryce picked them up, he had promised to take them to Gulf Sands to say goodbye to Mom and Dad.

I told myself all was well. They would be back in a week.

Bismarck announced we had a visitor by barking sharply at the front door. Teo had brought him over to spend one last night with the girls before they left for the week. They’d been overjoyed.

I’d been happy to see Biz and even happier to see his owner. I was seeing a lot of Teo these days, and while the girls were gone, I would be seeing more. Sophie and Ike were already planning to come for a visit over the weekend and another dinner at Seabank Seafood. She’d warned me that before long I might not be the only producer of Out in the Cold living on Florida’s west coast. And wouldn’t it be convenient to have Sophie living just an hour north? In-person meetings were always best. Now, when needed, we could drive to Delray together to meet with the rest of the crew, too.

The girls beat me down the stairs and flung open the door. Then they were both in their father’s arms.