“I know it’s difficult right now, but I hope you’ll find a way to hold on to the good memories and not let what you know now overshadow them.”

“Have you been able to do that?”

“Depends on the day,” Sarah admitted.

“That’s about as much truth as I can take right now.” Margaret pushed up from her seat with a wince.

“Margaret, now that you know about the money, call your doctor. Get checked out and make your health a priority. If you’re going to have lots more visits with the boys, you’ll need your stamina.” Sarah smiled, hoping it eased Margaret’s heart and mind to know that she would make an effort to bring the boys more often.

“I’ll go call right now. Then I think I’ll take a little time to sort out my thoughts and feelings and . . .” Margaret stared out the window again. “I don’t know what to do with all this.”

“Try to work on letting it go,” Sarah suggested. “Don’t pour your energy into something that can’t be changed. Focus on your relationship with the boys. They’re the best part of Sean. They’re here. They need you.”

“I imagine they helped you get through everything after Sean passed.”

“They are the most important thing in my life.”

“And what about Luke? He said he asked you to move in with him.”

“That’s a bit complicated.” But Sarah’s heart leaped at the thought of being with Luke all the time. They just needed to figure out the logistics because she and the boys loved the home they’d made. It was close to her work. And while she could work remotely sometimes, she was still needed in the office.

They’d have to figure out a compromise between here and there.

“Maybe it’s time to make your life less complicated and enjoy the happiness you’ve found with him.” A lopsided frown tilted Margaret’s lips. “You probably don’t want advice from me, but I wish I’d appreciated more the good things the men in my life brought me than always focusing on inconsequential things I used to drive a wedge between us. I know you’ve put everything into the business, but don’t let work keep you from having what you really want. What really matters.”

Sarah felt that way when she and Sean were together. He wanted her to work harder. She wanted to be a mother and make a happy family with him. Yes, she got a great deal of satisfaction from her job, but she found deeper meaning in being a mom. It filled that hole in her, her childhood had left after everyone related to her either abandoned, betrayed, or died on her.

Margaret pressed her lips tight. “If Luke makes you happy, then I’m happy for both of you. For what it’s worth.”

Sarah wanted to say it didn’t matter. But it touched her that after all the anger and resentment Margaret heaped on her, she now wished her well.

“Thank you, Margaret.” She hesitated, then spoke her fear. “I hope Luke’s family feels the same.”