Because she thought the man might have changed his mind. He looked at Cricket like she was the sun in the sky.

Cricket hesitated long enough to let Sylvie know she was right. “Do you think God holds us to promises we make when we’re in our darkest hours?”

“Like what?”

“When Rene was in that accident, I promised God I would never ask for anything else if he saved my son.” Tears clouded her eyes. “I was in the car riding out to the hospital and I prayed so hard. I meant it in that moment. I even meant it later. When I had cancer, I didn’t pray for myself. I prayed that Rene would have enough strength to get through it. But lately, I’ve started thinking that I’m not dead and I could have something good for myself, but I made that promise.”

Sylvie shook her head, emotion welling inside her. “No. I might not know everything, but I know that’s not a promise God would hold you to. You are not old, Cricket Darois. There’s a whole world out there for you to explore. Maybe you did pick your room, but the door is open now. You raised a fine son and you were a good wife. It’s your time. No one else’s.”

Cricket turned to her. “Why is Rene suddenly treating Louis like an unwelcome guest?”

“He’s worried about some things that are going down at work.” She sighed. “And he knows something is going on between the two of you because I picked up on it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Of course you should have,” Cricket argued. “It’s Rene who should have brought it up. I didn’t because I’ve been feeling guilty. He was so good when I was sick. And now he’s got all this responsibility on him.”

“He should have been good to you. He’s your son. He doesn’t get to dictate who you date.”

Cricket sat up straighter. “You’re right. I’ve been wondering a lot lately if I shouldn’t do some of the things we talked about doing after Ross retired. Even if I have to do them alone. I’ve been stuck in the house for too long. I let myself get old.”

She’d been sick and mourning, and Rene had stepped in. “I think getting out sounds marvelous.”

“I’m going to take the Benz out,” Cricket confided. “I didn’t drive for a long time because I felt too weak. Then it made Rene nervous.”

“Well, he did spend time in a hospital because he was hit by a woman who had a heart attack while driving.”

“He’s done nothing but worry for the last three years, and he needs to stop,” Cricket said. “I need to show him I’m strong again. I’m alive, and that means I need to get on with the business of living. I’m going to the library this afternoon. I’m meeting with the head librarian about starting some children’s programs and a book club that doesn’t involve drinking Celeste Beaumont’s cellar dry. Those women do not take the books seriously.”