Nicole flopped onto the edge of the bed and pressed her hand to her chest. “I feel faint. Are you serious? You put your keys and credit card in your coat pocket? Why don’t you treat yourself to a bag?”

“Because I’m never going to use it. And I’m not good at spending money on myself. I have Zoe to think about.”

Nicole frowned. “Are you worried about money? Is the business okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine, but you never know what’s coming down the road, do you?” She hadn’t anticipated Richard leaving her. It had reminded her of something she already knew: that the unpredictable happened. “I can’t rest on my laurels and assume the business will continue to do well.”

“With you at the helm I think it will.” Nicole reached across and gave her hand a squeeze. “Okay, I am going to stop thinking of all the bags I have at home that would be perfect with that outfit. I don’t have anything suitable either, so in this emergency situation we are going to make do with what we have, and in the fullness of time I am going to teach you how to spoil yourself. You need to treat yourself to a few nice things.”

“Things don’t really make me happy.” She’d never understood how buying something could fix a low moment. “Not for long, anyway.”

She sat down on the bed next to Nicole, who shifted to give her room.

“What makes you happy?”

That was easy to answer. “My family. Cooking with Zoe. Making popcorn and watching a movie together. Spending time with my mother and Nanna Peg. Having you as a friend. This place.” She glanced out the floor-to-ceiling window that looked over the lake. “The mountains and the forest. Just being here. I think I get more feelings of contentment from breathing in the scent of the forest on our morning runs than I ever would from a pretty bag, even if it does match my dress. You probably think I’m crazy.”

Many people would think it was a small life, she knew that, but it was a life she loved. It was the only life she wanted.

“Not crazy at all.” Nicole sounded wistful. “I’ve always envied what you have.”

Milly turned to look at her, surprised. “You envied me? Why?”

“Because you’re loved. You’ve always been loved. And I have no idea how that feels because no one has ever loved me, not even my own mother.” There was a pause, and then Nicole cleared her throat. “And now this is getting maudlin. Sorry.”

Milly was so overwhelmed by emotion it took her a moment to respond.