“No, you’re the person who gave yourself all this. I just showed you the way. You did the hard work.”

Chase smiled and walked down the steps, taking Olivia’s hand and swinging it as they walked to the very practical Toyota Chase had bought once the Malibu house sold. “You probably weren’t thinking that when I put the liquid soap into the dishwasher.”

Olivia nodded. “Well, that’s true. But the rest was all you.”

“Or when I washed your whites with that red sweater?”

“Now you’re making me wonder how I ever made it through boot camp with you,” Olivia said.

Chase looked up at the gray clouds and frowned. “I didn’t expect the rain today, but maybe we never do.”

Then she slid a hand down to her still-flat stomach. “I’m thinking about naming her Marley. Would you mind?”

Olivia swallowed the catch in her throat. “No. I wouldn’t mind at all.”

And just then, the clouds parted and the sun came through.

Chase looked over at Olivia. “That was freaky.”

“No, I think that just means she approves. Ready to get married?”

Chase’s smile was as bright as Marley’s sun. “Only because I was born for this role.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

No book is ever written without the help of others. From the hive mind of social media friends, who weigh in on locations, situations, and plausibility, to my family, who patiently waits for dinner . . . and often must eat cereal. Hey, Lucky Charms are a legit dinner when Mama is on deadline. This book was written during the COVID-19 crisis, a time of uncertainty and great stress for many people. Our family was no different, with my husband home, my children home, and my writing friends so far away. I thank my family for giving me some space, understanding that I couldn’t watch a Harry Potter marathon when there were words to write.

I would like to thank my writing friends who helped me brainstorm the plot, specifically my friend Phylis, who is great at plot twists, and my friend Jenn, who always tries to throw a dead body into the story somewhere. Special thanks to my online writing communities—Fiction From the Heart and My Book Tribe—for always bringing me inspiration and straight talk when I need it most. And I can’t leave out Deacon and Tilly, who snooze beside me and are sometimes patient when I am in the middle of a scene, the garbage trucks have arrived, and there is a pressing need to guard the perimeter. Delayed gratification is so rewarding.