Trev pulled back and pressed a gentle kiss to his wife’s forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

As he headed for the princess room, he heard Leanne say, “I need to get you a present. Thanks for being there for Trev. You’re a good friend.”

“I sure am, and I enjoy expensive Scotch.”

“I’ll see that bottle of Scotch and raise you a selection of gourmet smoked meats.”

Dante called, “This woman’s a keeper, man. She’s offering me booze and meat!”

Trev laughed, shoving his clothes back in the bag faster than he’d packed them in the first place. Then he took a cursory look around, making sure everything was in order in Evonnie’s room. Since it all looked good, he hurried out, eager to go home.

Leanne reached for him and twined their fingers together. To Dante, she said, “We’ll see you later.”

He nodded. “Better make sure you invite me to the next party.”

“Definitely.”

The drive back was silent but not tense. Trev stole looks at Leanne, unable to believe she cared enough to come looking for him. For the past five years, it had been like living as an invisible person. But now…he left footprints when he passed, and—

I shouldn’t be this touched.

Junie was waiting for them in the parking lot when they pulled in, her old car idling in a visitor’s spot. She bounded out onto the slippery pavement and almost fell, a fairly absurd figure wrapped in clashing colors and a proliferation of scarves. Slip-sliding toward them, she windmilled her arms as she nearly crashed into Leanne.

Trev caught Junie and kept her from knocking his wife down. Why is my mother-in-law such a kid? But he smiled at the hopeful light in her eyes, the tremulous smile she kept pinned to her lips even though he could see that she was braced for a brush-off.

“Sorry to just drop in, but I haven’t seen or talked to you since…”

“Since the old man died?” Leanne guessed.

Biting her lip, Junie nodded several times. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. This is an exception, mind you, because I really do prefer making plans beforehand, but…do you want to have dinner with us?”

Junie’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Sure, come on.” Leanne beckoned, holding on to Trev’s arm as they moved toward the condo building.

“Have you done any grocery shopping?” he asked quietly.

His wife angled an amused look at him. “Of course. I know better than to let the fridge get empty. To say nothing of the cabinets.”

“Then I’ll make something delicious and quick.”

As they got in the elevator, Junie asked, “Have you heard anything from the attorney?”