“I can run a tavern. An inn can’t be that much different. I thought I’d stick around for a while.”

“You’re staying?”

Danny frowned. “Why wouldn’t I? I don’t know exactly what we have here, but it’s something I’m not just going to walk away from. I have feelings for you I can’t verbalize yet. We need some normal time to sort things out.”

“But no one stays in Huntsville.” She’d spent her whole life wishing she could leave. “Won’t you miss Philadelphia?”

They stepped out onto the porch.

“Sure, but it’s just a place. It’s people who matter. It’s only a day’s drive if I want to see my family.” Danny stopped and turned her to face him. “Unless you want me to go. I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask. I assumed you felt the same—”

“I do.” Huntsville didn’t seem so bad. Philadelphia was only a day’s drive. Maybe someday she could make that trip with Danny.

“Thank God.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. The sun’s heat soaked into her skin, and warmth encompassed her heart.

The dog squeezed his nose between them. Danny lifted his head and laughed. He gave Bear a pat.

Mandy scratched the lab’s head. “Let’s take Bear with us. I think he misses Jed.”

The dog rode shotgun, bowing his head to avoid the ceiling in her little wagon. He would have fit better in Danny’s car, but Mandy needed the company. If it worked for Bill, maybe a little canine therapy would help her work through her grief.

One week later

“Are you sure you’re ready?”

“I am.” Mandy leaned over the side of the boat. She dipped a hand in the rippled surface of the lake. The water was cool and refreshing in the humid summer afternoon.

Danny shut off the outboard motor. Peace descended over Lake Walker. At the water’s edge, a heron stood in the shallows. The boat drifted into a patch of vegetation. A handful of ducks burst from the tall reeds nearby. Bear, standing in the bow, cocked his ears and wagged his tail as he watched them fly off.

“Stay,” Danny commanded. Bear sat down, his butt bouncing in excitement.

She smiled. “Well, look at you, Mr. Dog Trainer.”

“I wish I could take responsibility, but Bear was already trained.”

“He was.” On that note, Mandy reached for the urn at her feet. If she hesitated now, her courage would fly off like a spooked mallard. As Jed had instructed, she opened the top and slowly poured the ashes into the water. They swirled and floated, gradually sinking into the calm water. “Bye, Jed.”

“Are you all right?” Danny asked with the same patient tone that wouldn’t let her shut her emotions down over the past week.