Margaret’s gaze fell to the floor, then met hers again. “They’re going to love you because they’ll see what I denied all this time. You’re strong and resilient, a good mother, kind, caring, and thoughtful. And when you love, you make the time to show that to the people in your life.” Margaret surprised her with a hug. “Thank you for taking care of me. I appreciate it more than I can say.”

Sarah gently squeezed Margaret. “I only did what I thought was right.”

Margaret stepped back and grinned. “Even if you didn’t think I deserved it.”

Sarah tilted her head. “Well, you didn’t. But I hoped, someday, we’d end up here.”

“For the boys,” Margaret added. “I’m sorry it took me so long to do right by them. And you.”

“You needed to grieve.”

“And I’ll be doing it again now that I know about Sean. It’s hard to let go of the life I thought he was living and the one I wanted for him.”

Sarah understood that all too well, because while she’d been upset that her children lost their father, she’d grieved harder for the loss of the dream life she thought she’d have with Sean and their boys than she had for the man himself.

“Go. Rest. There’s plenty of time before dinner.”

“And let me guess, you have some work to do.” This time there was no reproach in Margaret’s words, just understanding that Sarah had responsibilities.

“Yes.”

Margaret nodded in acknowledgment and headed out of the kitchen for her room.

Sarah put away the last of the groceries, checked on the boys, and settled in front of her laptops to get some work done.

It took her a few minutes to settle in. She worried about what Bridget would have to say and feel about the brother she also didn’t see for who he really was and adored just as much as Margaret had.

Disillusioning them made her heart ache.

She blamed Sean for yet another thing he left for her to clean up.

Her phone dinged with a text. She sighed and picked it up, bracing for yet another request for her to do something.

Luke: Miss you. Wish you were here.

Luke: Do you want double chocolate cake or cheesecake for dessert at Sunday dinner?

Sarah: Miss you too and both! Duh! ☺

Luke: All I want is you.

Sarah: Sweet!!! ♥

And just like that, her whole mood changed and her heart filled with love and anticipation. She couldn’t wait to see Luke. And meeting his family seemed like a small thing if it meant she and Luke took another step toward her dream of a future she’d thought would never look like what she wanted but now felt very close to coming true.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Sarah watched from the back patio as the boys batted the shuttlecock back and forth over the net of the new badminton set she set up after lunch. She’d put out a few snacks and a pitcher of lemonade. Her stomach tied itself in a knot as she waited for Bridget and Sophia to arrive.