“Can we make a deal? Right now?”

Still looking stricken, Maddie nodded.

“Can we please keep it real? What you said is something anyone would say with a two-year-old and a new one on the way.”

“I don’t mean to be insensitive.”

“You’re not being insensitive. It’s your life right now, and I don’t want you to walk on eggshells with me. If you think it, say it. Please don’t filter yourself because something bad happened to me.”

“I hope you know I don’t mean to complain. I’m so blessed, and I know that.”

“Don’t ever take those blessings for granted.”

“Did you?” Maddie asked hesitantly. “Take your blessings for granted?”

“Don’t we all sometimes? I was always grateful for what we had, but I don’t know if I appreciated it quite the way I should have. When I think of the kids, sometimes all I can remember is hollering at them for getting mud on my floor or getting after them about leaving their toys all over the place.”

“That’s stuff every mother says to her kids.”

“I know, but it’s more than that. You’ll see when your kids get a little older. You get sucked into life and work and school and friends and birthday parties and sports, and the days go by in such a whirl of activity. Weeks would pass, and I’d feel like the only conversation I had with Seth was about Max’s T-ball team or whose turn it was to help with homework.”

“I can see how that happens. There’re days when it’s all Mac and I can do to get Thomas fed, bathed and in bed before we’re ready to drop ourselves. I can’t remember how I ever did it by myself.”

“I’m so glad you found a great guy, Maddie. No one deserves to be happy more than you do.”

“Aww, thanks. That’s so sweet of you to say. Do you think, you know, you might ever…”

“Venture into dating again?”

Maddie nodded. “I don’t mean to pry. I just can’t imagine you alone the rest of your life. You’ve always been such a people person. I was so painfully shy when we were kids, but you were Ms. Sociable.”

“I’ve become a little more introverted—that happened even before the accident. But I’m not big on the idea of being alone forever, so I suppose I’ll wade back into those shark-infested waters eventually.” She thought of Luke and what he’d said to her a week ago. “Maybe sooner rather than later.”

“Are you keeping secrets? Has your nocturnal visitor continued to come by?”

“Not in the last week or so.” She stared out the window, wanting to tell Maddie about Luke’s last visit but afraid to put words to the torment it had caused her.