Stunned by the question, he stared at her. “How’d you know that was where I was going?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve got you figured out, Lawry.”

“You’re kind of scaring me right now.”

“So, what did he say?”

“He’s almost as bullheaded as you are,” Owen said with a sigh.

“Sucks having all these people around who love you, doesn’t it?”

He reached for her hand and linked their fingers. “It doesn’t suck nearly as bad as being all alone did. That was worse.”

Laura rested her head on his shoulder. “So Evan is coming with us?”

“Yeah, he’s coming.”

“Good.”

“Are we going to Dan and Kara’s engagement party later? The party is at two. Appetizers and drinks.”

“I suppose we can go for a little while if you want to.”

“You sure you feel up to it?”

“Anything is better than trying to find a way to think about something else.”

She turned toward him, putting an arm around him and Holden. “I can’t wait for this to be over,” she said.

“I can’t either.”

For the first time in longer than she could remember, Stephanie woke up feeling unburdened. She’d spent years frantically trying to free Charlie from prison, and then after that had finally happened, she’d trapped herself in a cage of her own making.

It had been foolish, she now knew, to worry that Grant wouldn’t understand her fears or want to help her manage them the way he had for as long as she’d known him. Even after all this time with him, she’d still been waiting for the bottom to fall out the way it had so many times before. After last night, though, she’d finally begun to believe it wasn’t going to happen this time.

Grant wasn’t going anywhere. He’d convinced her of that as he once again showed her how very much he truly loved her. With the memories of their incredible night together fresh in her mind, she was eager to share their good news with the person she loved second best.

Despite her assurances, she could tell that Grant was still concerned about her.  She’d insisted he go share their news with his father, even though he’d offered to stay home with her. She was determined to move forward with their plans and try to enjoy her life in a way she’d never been able to before. After a shower, she got dressed in a tank and shorts and headed out.