“Now, that would be a serious crime.” Lane’s father laughed, along with several of those sitting around them, before someone called him and her mother away.

Lane released a long breath. Now it was her turn. “Thank you,” she said to her sister.

Meagan smiled. In the waning sunlight, her sister’s face took on a glow that made her look very much like their mother. “So, Charlie, is Walton growing on you?”

“Yes.” He cast a sideways glance at Lane. “Growing up, I lived a lot of different places, but this is the smallest city I’ve ever lived in. I like the way the community comes together to support one another in their time of need. And the people are really nice.”

As the food disappeared and twilight ushered in a starry canvas, Lane finally felt herself relax. Charlie and Meagan’s husband discussed football. Behind her, Noah and his cousins chased after fireflies. Meagan attempted to begin a conversation with Lane but kept getting interrupted by members of the Junior League who were either praising her sister for something or seeking advice about upcoming events.

Was this what normal was? As the band played, couples swayed in rhythm to the steady beat, the trickle of laughter drifting all around her. Lane thought she even caught a small smile gracing the lips of Sydney Donovan’s parents for just a second. Their lives would never be normal, but someday a new normal might begin. And what about her and Noah? What would be their new normal?

Lane allowed her gaze to settle on Charlie. It felt like butterflies had taken up permanent residence within her chest whenever she thought about him. And that was happening more frequently than she cared to admit. What would normal look like with Charlie included?

What would Charlie say or do if he knew about her depression and what it had cost her—what it had cost Noah? What he had said about his father choosing career over family . . . is that what she did that night? Chose to succumb to her weakness rather than choosing Mathias and Noah?

A chill skirted her arms and, instantly, the darkness was there. Ready to remind her she wasn’t worthy of a second chance. Lane called to Noah. It was time to go.

“Are we leaving, Momma?”

“Yes, buddy,” Lane answered as Charlie shifted closer to her. “It’s getting late and you need a bath.”

“I can take him home, Lane,” Meagan offered. Her gaze moved toward Charlie. “In case y’all want to stay a little longer.”

“Um, I don’t . . .” Lane turned to meet Charlie’s blue eyes. “Unless you want to stay.”

“Actually, I have a dog at home who will live up to his name if I don’t get back soon.”