“I’m thinking about it from her point of view. How would we feel if our sons told us they wanted to marry a fifty-six-year-old woman? How would we feel if our sons were in love with a woman who could never give them children or a family? I can’t help but put myself in her shoes and hate me on her behalf.”

Linda thought about that for a moment and had to admit Caro made a good point. It would be upsetting to learn that one of her sons would never be a father, but nearly losing three of her four boys gave her a different perspective than she would’ve had before. “After what happened last week, it’s safe to say that all I care about is my boys are healthy and happy and loved. That’s all that matters in this life, Caro. What else is there?”

“Children. There are children, and he’d be such a wonderful father.”

“Yes, he would, and if that’s meant to be, then somehow he’ll be a father.”

Carolina recoiled in horror. “There’s no way I’m having a baby at this age!”

“Relax,” Linda said laughing. “As you well know, there are plenty of other ways to become parents.”

“So you don’t think it would be a big fat Gansett Island scandal if Carolina Cantrell the cougar married sexy, young Seamus O’Grady, the dashing Irishman?”

“It’ll be a huge scandal for a week, maybe two, and then people will get over it and go on with their lives. Look at Tiffany. Her store was all people were talking about until the town council meeting when Blaine basically told them to get a life. Now the store is accepted, it’s busy, and some of the same people who spoke out against the store have been seen patronizing it. Scandals come and go. Love is forever.”

“I hate when you make sense. It drives me crazy.”

“My children would completely agree with you.”

Moaning, Carolina dropped her head into her hands. “I can’t believe I’m even considering this madness. Marrying a thirty-nine-year-old! I’d be securing my place in hell, that’s for sure.”

“As Mac and I like to say, we’ll be in good company down there.”

That drew a reluctant laugh from Carolina.

“And I’ll tell you something else, I won’t stand for anyone speaking poorly of you around me. You’ve spent thirty years completely alone. No one deserves to be happy more than you do.”

Caro blinked back tears. “Thank you, Lin. I was never completely alone with Joe and you and Mac and your brood to prop me up.”

“If you love this man, we’ll love him, too. I promise.”

The man in question came through the door to the diner and lit up with pleasure when he saw Carolina sitting with Linda.