A cloud crossed Tiffany’s mind and her heart squeezed in the same painful manner it had for all of her lonely life, but she decided it was time for a new beginning. Time to bury all her pain. “He’ll be invited. To be a guest, nothing more. If he shows up, fine .”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“His loss.”

J.D. placed a kiss on her forehead. “Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“As sure as of anything I’ve ever done.”

“We still could lose the house. Dad might not approve.”

“Then we’ll move, won’t we?” She felt lightheaded, freed of the blackness that had shrouded her for so long. “But what about your job?”

“Already quit.” He regarded her with twinkling eyes. “You know, I think there’re some ambulances down here just dying to be chased.”

“No doubt.”

“Besides which, I’m not destitute, you know.”

“No?”

“No. But we do have one more obstacle to overcome.”

“What’s that?”

“I want to adopt the kids.”

“But you’re already their uncle.”

“I know.” A dimple showed in his cheek. “But when they’re ready, I want them to think of me as their father.”

“Do you think that’ll happen?” she asked skeptically.

He twirled her off her feet. “Haven’t I been telling you all along that anything’s possible?”

“That you have, J.D.,” she admitted.

“Then, for once, Tiff, trust me.”

“I do,” she promised, and he kissed her as if he would never stop.

Epilogue

Epilogue

Two weeks later Tiffany twirled in front of the mirror. The blue silk dress swirled around her like a cloud. “It’s beautiful,” she said, turning to face her half-sisters.

“Yep. Looks great.” Katie, dressed in an identical gown, agreed.

“Good.” Bliss flopped into a chair at the dressmaker’s shop where she had ordered not only her wedding dress but the two bridesmaid’s gowns, as well.

Tiffany felt a sense of family. She and J.D. were going to marry, her half-sisters and she were discovering each other, and her kids, finally, had settled down. Under J.D.’s influence, Stephen seemed to be trying to walk the straight and narrow and Christina was on cloud nine.

“Okay,” Bliss said, “let’s get out of here. I’ll buy you both a soda.”

“I think we deserve gin and tonics after this ordeal,” Katie teased as she peeled off her dress and handed it, along with the marked hem to Betty, the shop owner.

“Well, how about a glass of Chablis instead?”

“You’re on!”

They changed and walked outside where the afternoon sun was glistening overhead. The streets of Bittersweet were shaded on this edge of town, the traffic slow.