People were shouting out alternatives. “Cool!”

“Rule.”

“Tool.”

“Pool!”

And from Eric, “Ghoul!”

Not her best song, Cord thought, but very much a performance. And he knew the emotions were real.

“All right,” he said, regaining control of the crowd. “Enough creative contributions. I suggest that those of us who are of age grab a glass of champagne—sparkling water, fake champagne or juice for the young’uns—and toast ourselves. Toast each other.”

But first everyone toasted him and Shallie. Again. And after that, Carly and her “uncles.”

Cord reflected with satisfaction that a new country life had just begun. Their country life, his and Shallie and Carly’s, was being celebrated, and no one had more to celebrate than he did.

EVERYONE WAS CHATTING, laughing, all enjoying each other’s company. There was music playing in the background, various CDs they’d chosen, and a few of the younger people were dancing.

Then Shallie caught sight of Eddie standing near the back of the crowded room. He was escorting a woman in her midsixties, classically attractive, and an elderly man using a walker. She nudged Cord; they instantly recognized Christine from the photo Eddie had texted.

Cord and Shallie looked at each other. This is it.

As they approached, Doug shifted farther back and Cord stood beside him.

“I don’t think introductions are necessary,” Eddie said in what Shallie thought was a somewhat misguided attempt at humor.

Christine leaned closer to her. “May I please hug you?” she asked in a hoarse whisper.

“Yes, Mom!” Their embrace began tentatively, then grew more intense.

Shallie was conscious of her mother’s slender form, her height—the same as hers—the light scent of her perfume, the softness of her blue wrap. And most of all, the comforting feel of her arms.

Releasing Shallie, Christine said, “Let me quickly introduce Doug. And I’d like to officially meet Cord. Who’s going to be my son-in-law! Oh, and Russ. Then can you and I talk somewhere private?”

“We’ll go upstairs to the office. And you can meet Carly up there, too,” Shallie suggested, since she assumed that, too, would be an emotional encounter.

“I hope to meet your friends at the wedding—if we’re invited,” Christine said mischievously.

“Of course! In fact, I’ll give you an official invitation.”

Cord and Doug had been talking and came forward now. Cord spoke briefly with Christine and Shallie with Doug, who told her how much he’d heard about her, especially in the past few days.

Shallie then gestured to Russ, standing a few feet away; he approached and she stepped back so they could have a moment alone—although she did hear him offer Room 2 at the motel and heard Christine say, “There are some good memories there, and this will allow me to overcome the bad ones. So I accept on behalf of Doug and me.”