Harper wished she’d never suggested taking that gingerbread house to Tobias. She wouldn’t have if he hadn’t been on her mind so much. “What are you talking about?” She put some slack in her seat belt, which suddenly seemed to be choking her. “That’s where my house is. That’s where the kids go to school. That’s where my in-laws live, and the girls are close to their grandma and grandpa Devlin—a lot closer than they are to our mom and dad, who are so involved in their careers they don’t have time for grandkids.”

Karoline turned down the music. “Axel should’ve thought of what it would do to the relationship between his kids and his parents before he asked you for a divorce. It’s not your fault that your marriage didn’t work out. You were a great mother and an even better wife. So why should you be the one staying put like a dutiful daughter-in-law while he’s off singing and making millions God knows where? Especially if there are places, like Silver Springs, where you might be happier?”

“You barely met Tobias!” she cried. “Now you think I should move here so I can date him?”

“I’m just saying you should keep your options open.”

“And I’m trying not to do anything I might regret. I need to think of my kids. This past year hasn’t been easy on them.”

“I can’t argue with you there,” she relented. “But damn. You’re not going to find a guy like that around every corner.”

Harper didn’t say anything.

“Although…I can’t imagine he makes a lot of money,” Karoline continued. “How much could someone who maintains the grounds and equipment of a correctional school earn in a month, anyway?”

“Will you stop?” Harper said. “I’m not going to evaluate him on his earning potential!”

Obviously annoyed by her reaction, Karoline fell silent, but at least she backed off and, by the time they reached Santa Barbara, seemed to have forgotten about Tobias. They talked about who would make what for Christmas dinner and whether Harper should get Axel a Christmas gift. The last time he’d called he’d mentioned that he was getting her one.

“I say no,” Karoline said as she ducked into the dressing room of a cute little boutique to try on a dress for a friend’s party on Saturday.

“I think you’re right,” Harper said. “After everything I’ve been through this year because of him, I’m not in the mood to shop for him. Gifts are supposed to be heartfelt, not obligatory.”

Feeling released from the pressure of that decision, Harper continued to wander around the store. She was still waiting for Karoline to come out when she received two texts in rapid succession.

One was from Axel. I miss you, babe.