Lila set her glass down. “Oh dear, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I only meant that what you did was sweet and kind.”

“It’s okay. Few people were nice to me as a child. Now that I’m grown, I know the importance of giving people kindness. Look at Luke. When I first met him, he was grumpy and disillusioned with his life. You seem much happier now.”

Luke laughed. “I am, thanks to you.”

“Grumpy. That’s how you describe him?” Jason laughed under his breath, walking into the kitchen.

Luke sneered at his brother. “I’m sitting right here, you know.”

“Yes, honey. We see you.” Sarah leaned in and gave him a mischievous grin that he kissed right off her lips.

Margaret walked into the kitchen. “Sorry I’m late, everyone. I’m sure Sarah made my excuses.”

“Margaret. Nice to see you,” Luke called out over the counter.

Lila stood and embraced Margaret. “It’s been a long time.”

“Too long,” Margaret agreed. “And look.” She waved her hand toward Sarah and Luke. “My daughter-in-law and your Luke.”

“They’re perfect together,” Lila said.

“They are,” Margaret easily agreed, taking Sarah aback.

Jason took Margaret’s coat. “Wine, water, soda, something stronger?” He held up his glass of whiskey.

“Wine, thank you.” Before Jason made off with her coat, Margaret pulled a phone out of the pocket. “Sarah, you left this on the table and the thing hasn’t stopped going off. I thought maybe you’d forgotten it.”

“I did. Thank you for bringing it.” The phone rang as if on cue. Lila and Margaret started talking about the house renovations Luke had done a few months earlier. Luke and Jason moved to the table to discuss some business thing Jason wanted Luke’s opinion on.

Jack walked in, drawing Sarah’s attention before she answered the call.

“Mommy, I want to talk to Aunt Abby. Can I answer it?”

“Sure, honey. Make sure to say hello first.” She handed the phone over without looking at the caller ID. No matter how desperate Abby was to get in touch with her, she’d always make time for Jack, who answered with a cheerful “Hello.”

Jack’s eyes filled with trepidation. “You’re not Aunt Abby?”

Luke beat her to asking Jack, “Who is it?”

Jack pulled the phone away from his ear and handed it to Sarah like he couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. “It’s the lady Daddy kissed the way you kiss Luke. The one who made you cry.” Jack ran across the room and threw himself into Luke’s outstretched arms.

Luke scooped up Jack, set him on his lap, and held him close to his chest.

Margaret and Lila stared at Sarah.

She could feel Jason’s intense gaze all the way across the room.

Though the hired chef kept his back to them, stirring his pots and tending the food, she felt his attention, too.

Shit.

She’d been expecting the call, despite wondering if Trish would ignore Luke’s request, but didn’t expect it to come so soon.