“It’s not a bad idea—and how could I have had it first when I didn’t know Mary was leaving?”

“If this works, it counts in my column.”

“That’s fine. I’m still way ahead, and thinking about my next plan of attack.”

“Who’ve you got your eye on?”

“I’ll be keeping that to myself for the time being. I’ll let you know when the time is right.”

“Is that how it’s going to be now?”

Megan returned to refill their coffee cups. “Are you two fighting?”

“Nah, we’re bickering,” Elmer said. “Big difference.”

Lincoln laughed right along with Megan. “I’m going to skip breakfast today, sweetheart. I’ve got an important call to make.” He sent a meaningful look Elmer’s way before he got up to leave the diner. On the way out, he gave his new daughter-in-law a kiss on the cheek. “Good to have you home.”

“Good to be back.”

Hunter stared down at his new baby niece, who had an array of wires and monitors attached to her tiny body. He could see her heart beating frantically in her chest and the outline of blue veins in paper-thin skin. But her face, dear God, her face was so lovely and angelic, with her mother’s fine features. “She’s absolutely stunning, Han,” he said to his sister, who stood at his side gazing down at her daughter. The doctor had told Hannah that immediate family could visit one or two at a time, but everyone had to wear protective clothing.

“Isn’t she?”

“Never seen a prettier baby in my entire life. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when everything happened.”

“Don’t be sorry. You called, and it helped to hear your voice. You were where you needed to be, with your new wife.”

“It must’ve been scary to have her arrive so early.”

“It was terrifying. We’re just thankful that she’s going to be okay. It’ll take some time, but we’ve got all the time in the world to give her.”

“I absolutely love her name. What an amazing tribute to Caleb. He’d be so proud of you.”

“You really think so?”

Hunter slid his arm around his twin’s shoulders. “I know so. You’ve been so strong and courageous through everything, and now you have a new family with Nolan. No one would be happier for you than Caleb.”

“I hope so. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t been such a holdout on having kids with him. I said I was waiting for him to finish growing up. I didn’t know he’d never get the chance.”

“He wasn’t ready to be a dad yet. He was still sowing his wild oats. You were right to wait.”

“Still, it would be nice to have something of him left behind in a child or two.”