“Good.” She met his eyes, which looked bluer in contrast to his dark beard.

“I’m taking him to the Ravens game on Sunday. I’ll talk to him more then.”

“How’s your hand?”

He looked down had his bandaged hand. “It’s fine.”

“It doesn’t hurt?”

“Don’t.” He shook his head. “I told you Friday. If you don’t want to be my wife, don’t act like you are.”

“So I can’t even ask you how you’re feeling?”

“No.” His gaze traveled to Katie as she entered the kitchen from the family room.

“Don’t forget I’m getting my license tomorrow,” she said to Lina.

“You have to pass the test first.”

“Grandma said if you want something, you should talk as if you already have it—that makes the universe bring it to you.”

“Practicing helps too,” Phil said dryly.

“Will you take me to get a car on Saturday?” Katie had taken out the orange juice and was pouring herself a glass.

“If you pass, yes, but early.”

“I thought she was going to drive Megan’s old car,” Lina said.

“No, she changed my mind.” He stepped over to Katie and kissed the top of her head. To Lina’s amazement, she had no negative reaction. “I’ll see you Saturday.”

“Bye, Dad.” Katie headed back towards the family room with her orange juice.

He turned to leave and bumped into Knight. “Sorry, boy.” He swiped his hand over his head and Knight’s entire body wiggled with excitement.

“I know you never liked the idea of a dog in the house, but he’s a nice distraction for the kids.”

He frowned. “I always wanted a dog.”

“No, you didn’t. You always said no when the kids asked you.”

“That was because you didn’t want one. Remember the Lab puppies the secretary at work was giving away? You said no.”

He was right. How had she forgotten? The kids were all still young and he had wanted to bring one of the puppies home, but she had said no because she thought it would be too much work. “You never asked me again.”

“That’s because I figured you’d tell me if you changed your mind.”

Lina assumed Nick would be alone, so when she approached the fifty-foot sailboat moored on the end of the dock at a marina in Annapolis, she was surprised to see several people mingling about near the helm, drinking what looked to be mimosas and otherwise enjoying the mild late-fall temperatures. He had texted her early that morning asking if she wanted to join him on his sailboat, and with Katie off car shopping with Phil and Logan at a friend’s, she’d said yes.