Dalton could pivot quickly from a problem to the solution. He never dwelled when action was required. “Have you seen a doctor?”

“No.”

“That’s priority number one. And next on the list is Matthew. He’s going to marry you.”

“Dalton, this is not the Dark Ages. And I’m not compounding one mistake with another.”

Dalton’s jaw set as he shook his head. “First the doctor. Then Matthew.”

Matthew had been shocked, but he’d agreed to marry her, and they’d tied the knot at the courthouse three days later. Their first weeks and months of marriage had been awkward. The focus was the baby. After Bella was born, they tried to be a real couple. And for a little while, it wasn’t too bad. But to expect a child to buttress a marriage wasn’t fair to anyone, and they’d separated on Bella’s first birthday.

Dani and Matthew had failed at marriage, but both agreed Bella was their greatest blessing, and in her humble opinion, they were good parents. Neither could imagine life without their daughter, and both would do anything for that kid.

Dani’s reunion with Ivy had gone well enough. Civilized, like grown adults. She’d proved to everyone she’d moved on with her life and the past didn’t matter. But this time she wasn’t hitching her future to Ivy’s or anyone else’s.

Sitting up straighter, Dani turned her back to Bella, glanced at the gray sky, and dialed Ivy’s number.

Ivy picked up on the third ring and sounded a little breathless when she answered. “It’s Dani. I have an eleven-year-old that can’t stop thinking about puppies.”

“I have three she’s welcome to have in six weeks.”

Ivy had changed in the last decade. Hell, they all had. She was more grounded, pragmatic, less restless—more like Ruth every day.

“Can we come by today?” Dani felt Bella inch up behind her.

“Come anytime. The puppies are feeding now, so Libby will be ready for a break and might let Bella hold Star, Moon, or Sunny.”

“You named the other two?”

“Didn’t Bella name the little girl Star?”

Outside, the sun carved through fringed clouds revealing blue sky. “We’ll be by in an hour.”

“Here all day,” Ivy said.

Dani ended the call. “Okay, kid. We’re good to go. Ivy said to come now.”

“Now!”

“Now.”

Dani touched up her makeup, brushed her hair, grabbed her purse, and fished around for keys attached to the large key fob. Bella thundered through the house gathering her coat and hat.

She checked the time. Ten fifteen. No sign of rain. Skies clearing. “Ready?”

“Yes!”

Outside, the sunlight streamed through the trees bowed and twisted by the winds always blowing off the water. Over the sound, light spilled through cracks in the clouds drifting apart.