Unity nodded. Her throat was tight and she felt a little disoriented, but otherwise, she was holding it all together. Beside her, Ellen squeezed her arm.

“It’s a wonderful home,” Felicity, her real estate agent, said as they all stood. “The buyers are very excited.”

“I wish I’d remodeled that master bath for them,” Unity said, pulling the key out of her jeans pocket and handing it over.

“They appreciate the lower price on the house and the chance to make it how they want it,” the agent told her.

They all shook hands then she and Ellen walked out into the bright fall morning. The days were noticeably shorter and the leaves were changing. Time marched on, Unity thought.

“You okay?” Ellen asked.

“I think so. It’s weird that the house is sold.” She smiled at her friend. “For the six hundredth time, you didn’t have to take time off work to be here with me.”

“Oh, I think I did. It was two hours. No big deal. How are you feeling?”

“Scared. Happy. Hopeful.” She laughed. “So normal considering the circumstances.”

“When are you driving over to Seattle?”

“Now.”

Ellen hugged her. “You’re a wonderful person and he would be a fool to not fall at your feet and instantly propose.”

“At this point I would be happy if he just wanted to go out with me.”

“He will.”

Unity was less sure, but knew there was only one way to find out.

“Just be back by Thanksgiving,” Ellen teased. “You’re my maid of honor and I need you at the wedding. Plus you’re staying with Lissa and Cooper while we’re on our honeymoon.”

“That’s three weeks away. I’ll be back long before that.”

“You never know. Things could take a turn for the I-don’t-want-to-get-out-of-bed.”

If only, Unity thought.

She opened the door to the small four-wheel-drive SUV she’d recently purchased. “I’ll let you know what happens. Say hi to your handsome fiancé.”

“You know I will. I love you and I can drive over if you need me to be there.”

“Thanks. I do know that. Love you, too.”

Ellen waved and got in her Subaru. Unity followed her out of the parking lot before turning toward I90 and going west.

There had already been snow in the mountains but the highway was bare and dry. Unity sang along with the radio in an effort to distract herself from her nerves. She practiced her calm breathing and told herself whatever happened, she could be proud of how far she’d come. Even without Thaddeus in her life, she had healed and if he didn’t want her, eventually she would find someone who did. Because she was ready to be in a relationship with a good man. He was her first choice but if it didn’t work out, she wasn’t going to lose herself. Not again.

She made good time into Bellevue and drove into the parking garage. Minutes later, she was in an elevator, being whisked up to one of the top floors. She went into the office and gave her name to the receptionist.