It was astonishing how much her frame of mind contributed to her energy level, Harper thought. Since she’d spent part of the night with Tobias, she hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep, and yet she felt more like her old self than she had since she’d learned Axel wanted a divorce—maybe even before that. She didn’t have to worry about the growing tension between her and Axel anymore, at least not in the same way. She didn’t have to keep trying to please him so she could turn her marriage around. She didn’t have to mitigate the stress he was feeling because of his job. She didn’t have to be careful about what she said for fear she’d set him off. And she didn’t have to be frustrated that he wasn’t around to help with the kids or spend time with her, because she no longer expected it.

She’d been released from all of that—and would soon be having dinner with Tobias, which she was looking forward to. Instead of feeling hurt and abandoned, she was beginning to feel—she was afraid to even think the word for fear she’d jinx herself—free.

“I’m doing much better,” she admitted. She’d put on some Christmas music and had been humming along to Bruce Springsteen’s version of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” when Karoline returned from the post office and walked in to find her on the floor with tape, scissors, a stack of gifts and various kinds of wrapping paper. She’d been alone in the house since breakfast an hour ago. Terrance was outside raking the leaves, and the girls were in school through Friday.

“It’s like Mom says, I guess. Time heals all wounds.”

Harper thought Tobias had more to do with it than time. She hadn’t started to improve until she’d met him; she’d been in the very depths of despair the night he’d handed her that rose. “I guess. I’m just glad it’s no longer so hard to get up in the morning.”

“So it was the right thing to do to have you stay with us?” she asked.

“I think so. It’s been just what I needed.” Harper got up to give her sister a hug. Karoline wasn’t much for displays of affection, but Harper wanted to express her gratitude. Her sister was always so strong and decisive and willing to sacrifice in order to lift those around her. Maybe, at times, she was a little too opinionated and frank, but she was there. Always in Harper’s corner. Which was what mattered most. “I couldn’t have a better sister,” she said.

The pat Karoline gave Harper’s back was awkward, but what she said was very kind. “I don’t know how any man could leave you.”

Harper smiled as she pulled away. “Guess what?”

“What?”