I would always be Holly and Noelle’s beloved aunt, but I would never be the woman they thought of as their mother.

“I’m going to miss them so much.” I swallowed tears.

“You kind of got used to having them around?”

“I kind of did. It’s been tough, and it’s been great.” Then I pulled my courage out of storage. “But they need to be with you more. I wish they didn’t, but they do. They deserve that, and you deserve it, too.”

He hugged me. “Have a few kids of your own, Ryan. The girls will need cousins.”

I stepped away to search his face. “One of the few things Wendy did right? She married you. Maybe she hoped she could be the wife you wanted and needed. Maybe she thought she could pretend, and eventually, it would be real.”

“While we’re away, I’m going to explain whatever I can to the girls about their mother. But someday they’ll need to know the whole story. We won’t be able to keep the truth a secret.”

“No more secrets. They were forced to keep too many. When she’s comfortable with you again, Holly will tell you hers. But bring everything into the light whenever you can. That’s how they’ll heal.”

“You’ll really be okay keeping them until school’s out? I need to sell the house in Connecticut, buy one in Orlando in a good school district near the base—”

“Would you let Mom and Dad help with that? Nobody’s more qualified, and being involved will ease the ache in their hearts. Mom will be up there scouting school districts before the words are out of your mouth.”

He nodded. “How are they taking this?”

“Dad had a setback and went into the hospital to have meds adjusted, but he’s improving again. Mom spends as much time with the girls as she can. That helps her the most. You’ll see a lot of her in Orlando if you want her.”

“It was never your parents’ fault.”

“Someday, maybe they’ll believe that.”

The door flew open and girls and dog charged back in.

“You ready to go?” he asked.

Holly did a little dance.

I helped drag suitcases down the stairs, gave them snack bags I’d packed for the flight, straightened Noelle’s skirt and tightened the elastic band on Holly’s braid.

And then, just like that, they were gone.

“Just for a week,” I told Bismarck, but for a moment he looked as desolate as I felt. Then he gave a happy little bark. The door opened again, and Teo walked in.

“I said goodbye to the girls out by the road. Bryce looks thrilled to have them.”

I went into his arms and let him hold me as tears trickled down my cheeks. By my own count, I had cried more since Wendy’s disappearance than I’d cried in my entire life up to that point.

“You’re not crying because they’re leaving for a week?” he said. “You were looking forward to the time away.”