My mom rose, picking up cookie remnants and glasses. “And now, she has you, too. You’ll find your way back.”

I wasn’t so sure about that. Some wounds were too deep. Some history too painful. You could forgive, but you’d never forget.

8

BELL

“Bell!”

I turned at the familiar voice, a huge grin on my face. “Mi, what are you doing here?”

Mia’s strawberry-blond hair flew behind her as she launched herself at me. I caught her with a stifled laugh. “Cae-Cae said we could have dinner here tonight. And Kenna’s here, too!”

I glanced over her head to see Kenna, Caelyn, and Caelyn’s other two siblings, Will and Ava. I blew a raspberry on Mia’s neck. “Well, isn’t that lucky for me? My favorite people all in one place.”

Kenna sidled up next to us. “We thought you could use a little backup.”

Mia looked at Kenna and then back to me. “Whatcha need backup for? Are you playing cops and robbers?”

I laughed. “No, but maybe we should.” I balanced Mia on my hip and reached out to squeeze Kenna’s arm. “Thanks.”

“You got room for all five of us?” Caelyn asked as she helped Ava out of her coat.

“Always.” I pointed to a booth against the wall. “How about that one?”

“Perfect.” Caelyn turned to Will. “Can you take the girls over and get them settled? Help them decide what to order?”

“Sure.” He reached out to Mia, and she flung herself from my arms to his. She loved her big brother. My lips pursed as I watched Will guide them over to the booth and help them in. He was mature beyond his years. He and Caelyn hadn’t had a choice. But it hurt my heart to know that he’d lost his chance at a real, carefree childhood. Caelyn had tried to urge him to hang out with his friends, join sports teams, anything she could think of, but he spent most of his time at home with her and the girls, helping as much as he could.

Caelyn arranged the coats piled in her arms. “So…?”

I grimaced, glancing over my shoulder to the bar, where Ford was pouring drinks and chatting with customers. If he was unhappy to be here, he hid it well. “I’ve mostly avoided him.”

Kenna snorted. “And how long are you going to be able to keep that up?”

I bit my bottom lip. “Not long. He’s going over the books and the day-to-day details this week, but at some point, we’ll have to make a plan for the future.”

Caelyn wrapped an arm around me and squeezed. “How’s your heart doing?”

Cracking like a glass in sub-zero temperatures. “It’s better today.”

“Good. I’m going to make sure the girls aren’t planning to order ice cream sundaes for dinner, and then I’ll come and check on you.”