Luke talked about more children and a life together like he could already see it all.

She’d always wanted a big family. The need grew out of her loneliness as a child. She’d wished she’d had a sibling. Someone to share everything with. Someone who understood her like no other.

She loved her father, but their relationship was more a friendship since he’d found her when she was nearly an adult in age, though she’d had a lot of heartache and had to grow up faster than most kids. Abby was more like a sister than just her assistant. And Tim was like an uncle, Randy a cousin. Her team at Spencer Software felt like a family.

But she wanted more with Luke. She wanted that deep connection and a lifetime of memories from a bond that would never break.

Still, she’d been disappointed before, and allowing herself to believe in Luke’s vision for them was hard to do without doubts creeping in.

Luke drove them down the drive to Margaret’s house. The boys sat between them, buckled together on the bench seat, wishing they could stay at Luke’s instead, to go riding and play and hang out with the man they’d become close to, too.

They stopped outside Margaret’s home. A sense of déjà vu came over Sarah when she spotted Margaret sitting on the porch, waiting like a sentry for the enemy to arrive, and spoiling for a fight, just like the first day she’d arrived.

Luke reached across the boys and laid his hand on her shoulder. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Tell her that. She didn’t say anything because of the boys.

She slipped out of the truck and held the door for the boys to climb down. “I want you two to go upstairs and put away your things. You can watch TV for an hour, then we’ll do homework and have lunch.”

“Okay,” Jack said, heading toward the house, Nick right behind him.

“Hold it,” she called to them. “Thank Luke for taking care of you while Mommy rested.”

They ran back and threw their arms around Luke’s legs. “Thank you,” they said in unison.

Sarah’s heart melted.

Luke put a hand on both boys’ heads and gave their hair a ruffle. “You’re welcome.” He released the boys and hooked his arm around her shoulders just as Bridget pulled into the driveway.

The boys raced up the porch steps, said hello to their grandmother, and went in ahead of everyone.

Luke greeted Bridget as she met them on the walkway up to the porch. “Hey, Bridge. Sophia at school?”

“Yep.” Bridget eyed Sarah. “You look fine to me. Kudos on the dramatic performance to get attention. You got Luke to swoop in and play your white knight.”

Luke looked at Bridget like he was seeing her for the first time. “What the hell, Bridget.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why does sex make men stupid?”

Luke gave her an incredulous look. “What is the matter with you?”