We’re both laughing through tears.

“You should know that I’m going to text you, a lot,” Mom says as she wipes away my tears.

“Please do. Seriously.”

“I mean a lot, a lot. Like really a lot.”

We laugh as I give her another hug.

“Send pictures from the road and be careful. And be sure to keep your phones charged, and if you run into any trouble, call Triple-A. You can use our account. And have plenty of water in the car in case—”

“Paula,” Craig says gently.

“Sorry.” She looks down at our locked hands. “It’s really hard to let go.”

“It is.” I give her hands another squeeze before hugging her one last time. For now. “Thank you for understanding that I need to do this. I love you, Mom.”

“Oh, Ally, I love you so much.” She kisses me on the cheek before I head to the door. I hesitate for a moment. There’s a pull to this house that didn’t exist before. Maybe because I now have a choice. When I come back, it will be because I want to be here. I want to spend more time with Mom, Craig, Sarah, and the whole extended family.

With every second I stay, it’s going to be harder to leave.

“See you soon,” I say as I finally start down the walkway to Rob’s car.

The four of them wait in the doorway, Craig’s arms around both Mom and Sarah, Grandma Amanda holding Mom’s hand.

I get in the passenger seat, and Baxter jumps in my lap. “Thank you for doing this.”

“Hey, I got to take two days off school to rescue the girl of my dreams. I mean, come on. This is hero stuff.”

I look out at my family and feel a tremble of my chin.

“Are you okay with all of this?” Neil asks. “Because you seem really sad.”

“Yes. No. I—I …” I fumble for a minute to try to understand all my feelings. “I’m going to miss them, but that’s a good thing. I need to go home.”

I never would’ve thought this when everything tumbled apart, but I’m a lucky girl. I used to think only my dad is family. Then I had the Gleasons. Now I have Mom, Craig, Sarah, and the entire Cardiff and McMullen clan. Soon I get to go meet my Linsley family.

Pretty lucky, indeed.

Especially since I finally get to return home. Well, to one of my homes.

“Ready?” Neil asks as he starts the engine.

“Ready.”

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments