Yes, she still blamed Trish for going into the affair knowing Sean was married, but Sean was the one who’d made Sarah and Trish promises and didn’t keep them. In order to reconcile Trish’s role in the affair with finding a way to have a relationship with her, Sarah had to find the strength to forgive Trish, or at least set aside what she did so they could be what their kids needed them to be: a good person. A role model for finding solutions to tough problems.

But sometimes it sucked to have to be the bigger person and do the right thing.

Sometimes, she just wanted to be mad.

She picked up a rock and threw it as hard as she could. She bent to pick up another when Luke’s boots crunched on the gravel behind her.

“You’ve got a good arm, sweetheart. I see why the boys are such good ballplayers. I definitely want you on my team next time we play.” He was giving her a minute to collect herself.

The tension drained away and she found a smile for the lovely image his words evoked and the feelings running through her that he’d always pick her to be by his side.

She turned to him and sighed, so happy to see his handsome face and the patience in his eyes. “I did the right thing.”

“I knew you would.”

Yeah, well, it sucked to swallow her feelings. “Is Jack okay?”

“Yes. Just a little upset that the lady who made his mom cry called. I made sure he was distracted kicking my dad’s ass at video games and happy again before I came out to see you.”

“Okay. Good.” When Luke didn’t say anything else, she stared at him. “No twenty questions?”

Luke held her gaze. “You can say anything to me. I promise you, Sarah, you can lean on me and count on me for love and support whenever you need it. You don’t have to put on a front when you’re hurting and angry and feel like you have to do all the hard stuff while others hurt you. Talking to your husband’s mistress, opening your life to her and Jamie, that can’t be easy.”

“It’s not. I feel like I can’t escape him.”

“It certainly feels like he’s been here the last few weeks. But you’ve also put him behind you in business, with Margaret and Bridget, and now Trish. You rose above all the turmoil he brought into your life. And I know it sucked that you had to fix it all, but you did it. And while you’ll have to introduce Jack and Nick to their sister, I’ll be there to help you and them through that. I’m here for you right now. I’ll always be here with you, Sarah.”

She ran to him and threw herself into his arms. “I’m so lucky to have you.” She pressed her cheek to his chest and held on tighter.

Luke held her close, offering every bit of comfort she needed. “You’ve done a really good job keeping it all together and not giving in to what has to be a huge urge to lash out at everyone because of what Sean did. You’d be well within your rights to rage, but you’ve found a way to rise above it for your boys. That’s what makes you so amazing.”