She stared at the family portrait hanging on the wall across from them. It was taken during the time when they both had insisted on matching plaid outfits and pigtails. Their mother had Renee’s same red hair and was standing behind them, and their father’s arms were wrapped snugly around their little family.

“Bree found a lump,” Renee muttered. She hated saying the words out loud, like speaking the thing made it true. “It’s why she’s been acting so weird. She didn’t want to tell anyone.”

“People react in different ways to health scares.” His hand twitched. “Has she had it tested yet? Most times a lump ends up being harmless.”

“We have PTSD. Our mom was only fifty-five when she found her own lump. It was stage four. The cancer had spread everywhere.”

He blew out a quiet breath and reached out to stroke her hair. “That must have been devastating.”

“I can’t lose Bree that same way,” Renee admitted, leaning into his touch, reveling in the warmth and security. “I’m not sure I could survive that.”

He took her into his arms, and she finally allowed the tears to come. “It’s sort of terrifying how fast your life can change.”

Dan, surely thinking of Meggie and her own diagnosis, nodded. “We never know how much time we have. That’s why we owe those who have gone before to live every day to the absolute fullest. No regrets.”

“You’re right.” Renee took a deep breath. “I guess now is a good time to tell you a few things.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Yeah?”

“The first is that I’m officially resigning from the practice. Sorry, not sorry.”

“Hot damn.” A smile creased his craggy features. “I’ve never been so happy to receive a resignation. Now what’s the second? You’re naming a pie after me? Your sexy and modest-as-hell former boss who happens to be good with his mouth?”

Her cheeks heated. The man didn’t lie. “That’s still a possibility, but no. It’s better than that.” She picked up both of his hands and held them in her own as she sucked in a deep breath. “Okay, ready or not. Here it goes. I love you, Dan Hanlon. And I…well, I think I’ve known it for a while. Because my favorite part of the day is that very first moment I get to see you, when you tumble through the front door all fresh-shaven and smelling like a pine forest. And I hate it when we say goodbye in the evening.”