Real life would still be there in an hour or two. For right now, while her daughter was safely occupied with the aunt and uncle who adored her, Emma decided to take a little more time for herself.

Simone was released from the clinic two hours after the procedure, with the good news that there were no broken bones. Her arm was in a splint and a sling. The pain medication she’d been given had Simone fighting to stay awake.

Lucy had wanted to ask for something for the aunt’s shredded nerves to go along with the pain meds for Simone.

As they drove to the barn with Simone sacked out in the backseat, Colton reached over the center console for her hand. “How you holding up, babe?”

“Great. Never better.”

“She’s fine, and in a couple of days, she’ll be good as new.”

“It might take longer than a couple of days for the aunt to recover.”

He squeezed her hand. “You were a trouper, Luce.”

“No, you were a trouper. I was a disaster.”

“You were not. You were understandably freaked out by the way she was screaming. So was I.”

“You’d never know it. You were Mr. Cool Under Pressure.”

“Not on the inside I wasn’t.”

“I wonder where Emma is. It’s not like her to be out of touch for so long. Usually she calls to check on us when I have Simone.”

“She’s probably off having fun with Grayson and lost track of time.”

“Probably.”

“How’s your head?”

“It’s fine.” She had smacked it on a chair when she fainted in the waiting room. “I feel like a fool for being so wimpy.”

“You were upset. I’m just glad you’re both okay.”

“Bet you can’t wait to spend another day with the two of us.”

“You’d win that bet. I love every minute I get to spend with you guys. Don’t be too hard on yourself, Luce.”

Darkness came early to northern Vermont this time of year, and by the time they pulled into the Abbotts’ driveway, it might’ve been midnight rather than ten after five.

Colton carried the sleeping Simone inside while Lucy got the doors for him.

“How is she?” Molly asked when they stepped into the family room, where she and Linc were reading and the dogs were sacked out in front of a roaring fire.

“Better now,” Lucy said. “They gave her something for the pain that knocked her out.”

“Poor thing,” Molly said, standing to caress Simone’s hair and kiss her forehead before Colton settled her on the sofa.

“No word from Emma?” Lucy asked.

“Nothing yet.”

“I wonder where she is.” Lucy tried Emma’s cell phone again, and like before, the call went straight to voice mail. “Did you try Grayson’s phone?”

“Earlier,” Molly said, “but I got his message.”