“He didn’t act like a brother,” Sylvie pointed out. “He could have talked to you, could have asked what you knew. Instead he chose to try to destroy you. You don’t owe him anything.”

But he owed her the whole world. He hurt inside for the years his cousin had wasted, and the fact that he would waste more. Rene wasn’t wasting another moment of time. “Let’s go and get our puppy and spend the day at the park. I’ve heard this town has a mayor who loves her parks.”

“And you have to be back to work on Monday, so we have to make the weekend count,” his wife said.

“I’m going to enjoy the fact that I don’t have to pack,” his mother announced. “Louis, I think we should spend a lovely weekend together before you go back to work, too.”

“I’ll be there on Monday, Rene.” Louis shook his hand. “But I’m retiring soon. I want to spend as much time with Cricket as I can.”

His mom would be in good hands. “Teach Gabriel everything you know before you go. I’m going to need a new right-hand man.”

“I will not let you down,” Gabriel promised.

“And I won’t let you go.” Sylvie pulled on Rene’s hand. “You’re all mine for a few days.”

He let her lead him out, because he was hers forever.

epilogue

Eighteen months later

“Let’s move into downward dog,” a soothing voice said.

Sylvie heard Hallie groan beside her. “Easy for you to say, lady who didn’t recently have a baby.”

“Shh,” Sera said. “It wasn’t that recent.”

“Says the lady who can bounce a quarter off her abs three months after having a baby,” Hallie groused.

Sylvie chuckled, though she kind of thought Hallie was right. It had been four months since she’d given birth to their daughter, and fitness was a challenge. But she moved into position and had the sweetest face looking up at her. Mommy-baby yoga was one of her favorite things to do in the world.

Especially since she knew her husband was walking their dog around the park, waiting for the moment she would be done and they would all head to the café for breakfast.

Marcelle Pamela Darois was smiling up at her. Little Marci was the light of her life.

And Marci already had friends. Sera had announced her pregnancy a few weeks before Sylvie found out about hers, and Hallie had been right behind them. Sera’s daughter had her blond hair and Harry’s smile. Hallie had been shocked when her precious second daughter had been born with a penis.

Though Ben Rayburn seemed to love the ladies. He was already trying to crawl Marci’s way.

“Hey, did Cricket and Louis get on the boat this time?” Sera asked as her daughter started grabbing her hair.