She continued to sew as she talked, handling the needle and thread like a pro.

The woman was full of surprises.

“I have one like this, but it doesn’t fit me anymore.” Hannah smoothed a hand over the hem of the sweater in her lap.

“I love the color.”

“It was my mom’s favorite.”

Based on Christi’s infinitesimal hesitation, Hannah’s use of the past tense had registered.

He ought to explain. But how could he do that without upsetting Hannah? Whatever he decided to tell his unexpected guest would be best relayed in private.

“My mom liked purple too.” Christi kept stitching. “One of her favorite dresses was a few shades lighter than this.”

“Does she still have it?”

“No. She went to heaven a long time ago.”

Hannah bunched the hem in her fingers. “Do you miss her?”

Christi stopped sewing and gave his daughter her full attention. “Every day. I think I always will.”

“My mom went to heaven too. Last month.” Hannah’s response was muted and tear-laced. “I miss her a l-lot.”

“Oh, sweetie.” Features softening, Christi laid the sleeve in her lap and pulled Hannah into a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

His daughter didn’t resist the embrace—nor stiffen like she did if he got too close. On the contrary. She clung to Christi as if the two were old friends.

Easy to see why. Compassion, caring, and warmth radiated from the woman on his couch. No one who was hurting or in need of comfort would be immune to that kind of empathy.

Including him.

Which was weird.

Why would he be drawn to a woman who’d callously used him? Who’d led him on and broken his heart? Was he a masochist, or what?

When no answers came to mind, he stuffed the questions into a dark corner of his mind to think about if he ever had a few minutes to breathe.

Like that would happen anytime soon.

At last Christi drew back and smoothed the hair away from his daughter’s forehead. “I know how important it is to keep something that belonged to a person you love.” She pulled out the ring on the chain around her neck and held it out for Hannah to see. “This was my mom’s. I always keep it close.”

The girl examined the sparkling diamonds. “It’s pretty.”

“I agree.” Christi tilted the band to let the stones catch the light. “She had other jewelry, but this was her favorite piece. All I have to do is hold it and I feel like she’s with me.”

“That’s how I feel when I wear my mom’s sweater.”

“Then I’m glad I was able to fix it. Let’s see how it came out.” She turned it right side out and smoothed it flat.