“I’m glad to be able to help. And I have to thank you, as well, for the time you spend with Ethan. He’s really blossomed here, and a lot of that is thanks to you.”

“It’s certainly no hardship to hang out with him. He reminds me a lot of me when I was his age.”

When Hope’s cell phone lit up next to her, he could see her sitting on the porch with half a glass of wine next to her. She picked up the phone to read the text. “Oh damn.”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s from Katie Lawry. Lisa has taken a turn for the worse. They don’t expect her to make it through the night.”

“Oh God.” Lisa Chandler, a single mother, was in the final stages of lung cancer, and Hope had been helping Katie and Mallory Vaughn, both nurses, with Lisa’s hospice care. “That was fast.”

“I know,” she said with a deep sigh. “I hate to say it’s merciful.”

“Her poor kids.”

“Thank God for Seamus and Carolina. They’ve really stepped up for the boys. Dan Torrington was there the other day to set up a custody agreement for them to live with Seamus and Carolina afterward that Lisa signed.”

“Such a tragedy.” Paul took a drink from his beer as the silence stretched between them. “Do you want to go over there?”

“I can’t with Ethan asleep.”

“We could bring him over here. I’d be happy to have him if you want to go.”

After another long pause, Hope said, “Are you sure? I’d like to be there for Lisa, as well as Katie and Mallory.”

“Of course. It’s totally fine.”

“If you’re sure…”

Paul got up and crossed the yard to Hope’s front porch. “I’ll carry him for you.”

“Oh. Okay. Thanks.”

“No problem.” Paul followed her inside the cozy cabin.

Hope turned on a lamp in the living room and then led him to Ethan’s bedroom.

He resisted the temptation to try to see into her room across the hall. By the glow of a Spider-Man night-light, Paul lifted Ethan from his bed and headed for the door.

When they reached the living room in his house, Hope produced Ethan’s pillow, blanket and well-loved teddy bear. They worked together to make Ethan comfortable on the sofa.

“Are you sure about this, Paul?”

“Totally fine. Go be with your friends. I’ll be here with Ethan.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“I’m sorry about Lisa. She’s a good person.” Lisa had worked for them in the retail store for two summers years ago. He’d been profoundly saddened to hear about her illness.

“Yes, she is. You have my number if you need me.”

“We’ll be fine. Go do what you need to.”

She nodded. “Thank you again.”

“No problem.”