“Everybody out,” Sarah said as she walked into the sitting room where Owen had gathered with his groomsmen. In addition to Evan and Shane, Adam McCarthy and Sarah’s other sons, Josh and Jeff, made up the wedding party. Having all but one of her kids in the same place at the same time was a rare occurrence, and Sarah was loving every minute of it. “The mother of the groom wants a moment with her son.”

Now that their father’s trial was behind them, her kids had a lightness about them she’d never seen before. They laughed easier and smiled more often. It was like they finally had permission to be themselves now that Mark Lawry was out of their lives forever.  She should’ve left him years ago, but hindsight was always twenty-twenty, and she was choosing to look forward rather than backward these days.

“You heard her,” Owen said to his wedding party. “Hit the beach. I’ll be right behind you.”

Each of them kissed Sarah’s cheek on the way out of the room. “What a handsome bunch of guys,” she said to Owen when they were alone.

“I feel shaggy and overgrown next to them.”

“You’re neither of those things. You’re gorgeous, and Laura is a lucky woman.”

“I’m the lucky one, Mom.”

“You both are, honey, and don’t ever forget it.”

“I won’t. You look great. I love your dress.”

“It’s not too much?” she asked of the frilly, revealing lavender dress Tiffany had talked her into.

“It’s perfect.”

“Your father never liked it when I showed any skin.” With a saucy grin and a wink, she added, “Charlie loves it.”

Owen put his hands over his ears. “I can’t hear you.”

She laughed at the face he made.

“All kidding aside, I’m so glad you’re happy with him. You deserve it more than anyone I know.”

“I deserve it as much as you do, my love. What do you say we give ourselves permission to be happy from here on out?”

“I’m on board with that.”

She picked up the one remaining coral rose boutonniere from the florist box on the table and held it up. “May I?”

“Please do. I had no idea what to do with that.”

“That’s what mothers are for.”

When the rose was in place on his white linen shirt, she flattened her hands on his chest. “I love you more than you’ll ever know. You and your little family and this magical hotel saved my life last year, and I’ll always be grateful.”

“We’re equally grateful to you, Mom. You showed up just when we needed you most.”

She smiled up at him. “Laura will be down any minute. How about you escort your mom to the beach.”

He kissed her cheek. “It would be my pleasure.”