Overcome by a searing happiness, she laughed breathlessly. The sound was short and sweet. “I can’t imagine why I objected so strongly when I love the name Kitten.”

“Good, because I meant what I said about calling you that.”

Her arms circled his waist, and her heart swelled. She was home, truly home, for the first time since she’d lost her parents.

“We’re getting married as soon as I can arrange it.”

She grinned, more than agreeable to any terms he wanted. “Any Sunday.”

He paused and looked deep into her misty, diamond-bright eyes, letting her words sink in. “Because of your promotion?”

She nodded and started to say more when Lydia burst into her office.

Her friend’s mouth dropped open as she stopped abruptly. “Oh…hi.”

“Hi,” Marjorie answered for them.

“Have you two patched things up?” Lydia asked casually.

“It’s either that or we have a peculiar way of arguing,” Sam answered, and chuckled softly.

“So are you two getting married or what?”

“We’re getting married,” Marjorie said, beaming.

It looked for a moment as though Lydia doubted them. “When?” she asked speculatively.

Sam and Marjorie shared a lingering look. “Any Sunday,” they answered in unison.

Dedication

In memory of Darlene Layman

My treasured friend through the years.

About the Author

Debbie Macomber, the author of A Walk Along the Beach, Window on the Bay, Cottage by the Sea, Any Dream Will Do, If Not for You, and the Rose Harbor Inn series, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Thirteen of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller lists, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber’s Cedar Cove books. She is also the author of the cookbook Debbie Macomber’s Table. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

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After divorce shatters her family, one woman’s struggle to pick up the pieces finally leads to a new beginning—but is the past truly behind her? #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber explores the powerful intersections of love and family in this poignant novel.

It’s Better This Way

Continue reading for a special sneak peek.

Available soon from Ballantine Books

Prologue

Julia Jones sat at her desk, the divorce papers in front of her, shouting at her to pick up the pen, sign her name, and put an end to this insanity once and for all. Her heart ached, and she held her breath to the point that her lungs felt as if they would explode. Reaching for the pen, her hand trembled with the weight of what she was about to do. Closing her eyes, she set the pen back on the desktop.