“We get to stay up until midnight,” Maddie announced. “Dad said we could see the New Year in, just like grown-ups.”

“Not like grown-ups,” Davey corrected, with mild distain. “They drink booze and stuff.” He made a face. “And they kiss.”

Brynne chuckled. “Someday soon, Davey Nicholls, you’ll like kissing.”

“Yeah,” Maddie said, elbowing her brother. “You’ll start kissing girls all the time.”

“Yuck,” Davey said, and shuddered for effect.

Maddie picked up the conversational ball and ran with it. “We get pizza. Davey and me and the babysitter, I mean.”

“That’s good,” Brynne said, dealing with a pang of—what? Loneliness? Regret?

“Dad wants to say hi,” Davey said.

Brynne didn’t get a chance to prepare herself—suddenly, Clay was standing behind his children, leaning down to look into the camera.

He was still devastatingly handsome, with his sandy-colored hair and irresistible eyes.

“Hey, Brynne,” Clay greeted her, his voice husky.

He was wearing a white cable-knit sweater and jeans, and his hair was still damp from the shower. She could see the little ridges left behind by his comb.

“Hey,” Brynne said, automatically. She waited to feel something, but all that came was a sense of being mildly startled, as though someone had hidden around a corner and then jumped out at her.

“How’s Montana treating you?” Clay asked.

Brynne thought of Eli, and their snowmobile ride. She would never forget the sensation of wild freedom.

She smiled. “Just fine,” she replied.

“Ask her,” Maddie put in, tilting her head back to look up at her father.

“Yeah,” Davey agreed. “Ask her, Dad.”

Clay sighed heavily. “The kids have spring break in a couple of months. I told them you’re probably really busy, but—”

Brynne’s heart began to pound. She waited, holding her breath.

Davey rolled his eyes in exaggerated frustration. “We want to come out there and visit you, Brynne. Maddie and me.”

Tears smarted behind Brynne’s eyes, happy ones. She could live with never seeing Clay again, but she’d missed those children with all her heart.

“A visit would be wonderful,” she said.

The kids cheered so enthusiastically that Clay had to quiet them down with a few mock-stern words.

“Are you sure about this, Brynne? We’re kind of putting you on the spot here—”

“You’re not putting me on the spot, Clay,” Brynne replied, perhaps too quickly. Too eagerly. “I would love to have Davey and Maddie visit. I have plenty of room, and there are lots of things to do out here in the Wild West.”

“Can we ride horses?” Davey asked, eyes wide. “And go fishing?”

“Absolutely,” Brynne said, blinking rapidly to hold back tears that would only confuse the children.

“Thanks, Brynne,” Clay put in, his voice hoarse again. “We’ll be in touch about the arrangements closer to spring break. In the meantime, well, have yourself a very happy New Year.”

“You, too,” Brynne said.

And then he was gone.