“Mrs. Montgomery, our program began forty-five minutes ago—” Mrs. Kozier chided.

I tensed.

“I know, I know,” Claire answered but didn’t correct her name. “But I’m here now, so can’t we just get going?”

Montgomery? Nope. Not today, Satan. A wave of possessiveness I had no right to feel smacked me square in the chest and erupted out my petty little mouth.

“Lewis,” I corrected Fin’s teacher. “Her name is Ms. Lewis.”

Claire narrowed her eyes.

“I’d hate for your mail to get mixed up,” I offered with a tiny, apologetic shrug that wasn’t apologetic in the least bit.

“You’re late!” Finley erupted at Claire.

“I know, baby. I’m so sorry, but I had a call with my agent that just wouldn’t end, and well, I’m here now!” Claire nodded and smiled, sticking out her hand for Finley’s.

Finley looked from that hand to me.

“Well, let’s go!” Claire insisted. “I can’t wait to hear your poem!”

“I invited Morgan,” Fin said so quietly it was barely a whisper.

“That’s okay, Fin,” I promised.

“Finley Montgomery!” Claire chastised. “Why on earth would you do such a thing? Especially when she has an important meeting?”

“You weren’t here!” Fin shouted.

“I’m here now!”

“You can both come in. There’s more than enough cookies,” Mrs. Kozier assured us, no doubt seeing the same storm brewing that I did.

“Morgan?” Fin looked up at me, clearly torn.

“Are you suggesting I share my daughter with the next-door neighbor? It’s our first Mother’s Day tea!” Claire sniffled. “I’ve already missed so much because I work all the time.”

I didn’t mention the five Mother’s Days she’d skipped out on. Finley’s eyes welled up again. Of course she was scared Claire would leave. That was all she’d ever known.

My posture softened, and I tipped Fin’s chin up. “Go ahead and take your mama in for tea, you silly girl. You have a poem to read, and last time I checked, it’s Mother’s Day, not neighbor’s day!” I tweaked her nose with a grin and let go of her hand.

Her shoulders dropped in obvious relief. “You’re not mad?”

“Of course not. The understudy doesn’t get mad when the star shows up! We’ll go shell hunting later to make up for it, okay?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “We’ll hunt glass, but Daddy already got you the prettiest one.”

My fingers grazed the necklace as I smiled down at Finley. “He sure did. Off you go, honey.”

“Well, let’s get inside, baby!” Claire urged in a singsong voice, taking Finley’s hand. Her gaze lingered on my necklace as the teacher ushered them inside.

“Ms. Lewis, right this way.”

“Later, Morgan!” Finley waved as they disappeared.