“Give me a moment. I need some water.”

Ethan hurried to the refrigerator, pulled out an ice-cold bottle. Poured her a glass and handed it to her, watching her carefully.

Sutton drank, willing her heart to slow. She set the glass on the counter. “I don’t want to know who she is. I don’t want to know where she is. I just want to be sure she’s okay, that’s all. That she has had a good life. That she’s not a freak like Ivy. That I didn’t create a monster. That’s all I want to know.”

Ethan blew out a huge sigh, sounding strangely relieved.

“I understand completely,” Holly said. “I can assure you that she is a happy, well-adjusted young woman.”

“Then that’s all I need. She deserves a chance at a happy, settled life. It’s why I gave her up in the first place. I don’t want to ruin her life. I especially don’t want our notoriety to influence her. We have too much baggage now.”

“Stay for dinner,” Sutton said, starting to get up, but Holly waved her off.

“I promised Jim I’d come over after I talked to you. He’s going to open some wine, make us steaks. Besides, you need time. If you change your mind—”

“I won’t. Get rid of the notes, Holly.”

“I will. I’ll see myself out. Y’all have a good night, okay?”

Ethan followed Holly to the door, anyway. He retrieved the book he’d left on the porch, then turned the dead bolt and came back to the kitchen. He rubbed Sutton’s shoulder, and she leaned into his warmth.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m all right. I’m relieved, actually.”

“All that pain, all that fear and loathing, all for nothing.”

“Ivy wouldn’t have said it was nothing. Ivy would have seen the abandonment regardless. She would have found a way to ruin someone else’s life, instead of ours.”

“We’re not ruined, Sutton.”

The baby kicked in agreement, and she smiled. “You’re right. That’s the wrong word to use. I’m sorry.”

“Do you need some time to think about all this?”

She paused a moment. “Maybe thinking isn’t what I need right now. Why don’t I go do something mindless instead? I need to answer some email, anyway. That’s perfect.”

He searched her eyes, but seemed satisfied she was telling the truth. “Okay. Off with you. I’ll get things started.”

Twenty minutes later, Ethan opened her office door and stuck his head in. Grinned at his beautiful wife on the couch, legs up, laptop opened. She closed the lid.

“Dinner’s ready?” she asked.

“In five. I made carbonara. I figured you needed something warm.”

“Sounds perfect. I’ll be there in a second. Almost done here.”

* * *