“If we had known about Tate, if I had known what he was going through, I would’ve helped him. I would have done whatever I could have because the world was a better place with him in it.” Charlie picked up her hands and held them firmly between his. “Depression I can accept. Not having you in my life or having the possibility of you being in my life—that’s harder to accept.”

Charlie’s words soothed her soul and seemed to erase the concerns her father had raised earlier. Charlie wouldn’t hurt her or Noah. He wasn’t that kind of man. But was she ready to defy her father’s wishes? And at what cost?

“Lane, I’m not going anywhere. There’s no rush for you to make a decision.” He lifted her hands up so his lips just grazed her knuckles, causing her insides to tremble. “I’m only asking for the chance to get to know you better. All of you.”

Lane wanted that too. Deep in her core the longing to be loved fully and completely awakened. Could Charlie really see past her depression or was this commitment to her a type of penance for him not being there for his friend?

“Hi, Charlie.” Lane jumped at Noah’s voice coming through the flowers. “Did you bring Bane?”

Charlie squeezed Lane’s hand before standing. “Sorry, buddy, not this time.”

“Oh, excuse us.” Pops emerged behind Noah. “I hope we aren’t interrupting anything.”

“No, Pops.” Lane swept Noah into her arms and kissed his neck. Charlie and Pops exchanged a handshake.

“Momma, stop.” Noah giggled and then looked at her cheek. “What happened to your face, Momma?”

She’d almost forgotten. “Mommy got an owie.”

“Does it hurt?”

Lane looked to Charlie. “Not so much anymore.”

Noah’s attention returned to Charlie. “Can I play with Bane tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow we have Bear’s party, remember?”

“Is it a birthday party?” Noah scrunched his nose. “For Bear?”

“No, it’s not.”

“But birthdays are important, right, Momma?”

Lane kissed Noah’s cheek, catching Pops’s eye. Her grandfather sent her a card not only on her actual birthday of August third but also on April eleventh. The day she got out of the hospital and chose life. That was her living birthday. “Yes, they are.”

“I’m going to take this one inside and get him ready for bed.” Pops took Noah from her arms and started for the house. “Nice seeing you again, Charlie.”

“You too, sir.” When the screen door shut, Charlie smiled. “I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow night too.”

Even in the dimness of the night, Charlie’s eyes shined bright. “Oh, right, because you’re working the barbecue.”

Charlie’s gaze lingered long enough that she could feel the heat rise in her cheeks.

“I meant everything I said, Lane. I’m here for you, whatever you need.”