“Leaving him with five fingers?”

“On each hand. Look at that face, Maya, those eyes. Look at that tail.” Adrian crouched down, put an arm over Sadie’s back. “Come on down.”

“Don’t have to go far.” But when Maya did, Sadie sniffed happily at Collin. More cautious than Phineas, Collin leaned back into his mother. Then carefully patted the flat of his hand on Sadie’s face.

Then smiled and said: “Da da da da. Oooooh.”

“He approves. If he doesn’t, it’s no. His first word was a very firm no. It still tops his repertoire.”

“I know he doesn’t remember me, but we’re going to fix that.”

“I couldn’t believe you were moving here.” And Maya’s eyes filled again. “I’m so glad you’re moving here.”

“Me, too. Maya, I don’t want to get us both going again, but I’m so sorry about Lorilee.” She had to stop, had to breathe through the rise of tears. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there at her memorial, be there for you, for your mom, for Raylan and his children.”

“Same,” Maya managed in a shaky voice. “Same for you and Dom with Sophia.”

“How’s Raylan?”

“Functioning. I’m not sure he would be except for the kids. He’s going to work at home for now, or take them with him to the office when they’re not in school. He’s resistant to the idea of a nanny or childcare right now, and that’s probably the right call. But sooner or later …”

Maya smiled as Collin pulled away to sit, and Sadie lay down so they hit the same level.

“He said you wrote him. It meant a lot to him. Now before we both start crying—and Collin’s seen enough of that for a while—tell me what you’re doing down here. It was so damn good of you to hire Kayla.”

“Young, fresh eyes and enthusiasm. I think it was so damn smart. She’s talking a soft neutral for the walls, and I thought she’d lead with bold, energetic colors. But she said she thinks it could be distracting for streaming and videos.”

“Small interruption. The trainers and workouts you’re adding to Work Out Now online? It’s rocking it, Adrian.”

“Did I mention how hard I had to work to convince my mother to open up to the streaming deal and contracting other pros?”

Maya smiled. “Maybe once or twice.”

“‘Why would we compete with ourselves, with DVD sales?’” Adrian rolled her eyes. “She got reluctantly on board when Teesha hit her with some numbers on member potentials, merchandising and marketing opportunities, and viewer projections.”

“Speaking of Teesha, where is she? I was hoping to get Collin and Phineas together.”

“They should be back soon. They’re looking at houses.”

“Houses?”

“I’m this close to talking them—well, her, because Monroe’s already into it—into moving here.”

“Here? Seriously? Well, that’s a big wow.”

“Let’s take my big baby and your little man outside, and I’ll fill you in.”

Before Adrian got up, Maya reached out to grip her hand. “We’re going to be able to do this all the time now. I hate the reason for it, but I really need my friend now.”

“She needs you. So tell me some news.”

“I actually have some.” They headed outside with Sadie walking by Adrian’s side. “Mrs. Fricker’s going to retire.”

“How’d I miss this? I was in town just the other day pumping the grapevine and never heard about it.”

“She’s keeping it down low. You know I’ve managed Crafty Arts since college—currently part-time. She’s hoping Joe and I will buy her out.”

“Buy it?” Adrian stopped in her tracks. “Buy the gift store? That would be fantastic.”

“Would it?” After hunching her shoulders, Maya put Collin down. He toddled a few steps before flopping down to play in the grass. “I mean, I love the place, and sure I know the business. But owning is way different from managing.”

“I think you’d be great at it. When Mr. Fricker got sick a few years ago, you ran the place. You did the buying, the displays, the payroll, the works.”

“And it was a lot. And before I had a baby. If we jumped into this, I’d need somebody to do things like payroll and the books—they’re not my strength, or Joe’s. Plus, he’s got his own work.”

Adrian pointed a finger up. “Is that a light bulb above my head? I happen to know an excellent business manager who may be relocating to Traveler’s Creek.”

“Do you think she’d do it? It would be the answer to everything. Could I afford her? Do you think she’d run the numbers and tell me if I’m crazy to even consider this?”

“I say yes to all that. But beyond all of that, the most important thing starts with do you want it?”

“That’s the trouble. I do. I really do. I can talk myself out of it a half dozen times a day. But I always come back to wanting it.”

She glanced down at Collin while he held what seemed to be an intense conversation with a blade of grass.

“I’ve always loved that place. When we were in high school, I’d tell myself I was going to move to the big city like you, get some slick job where I wore fabulous clothes. Then I started working at Crafty to earn some summer money, and fell in love. Then Joe happened. Then Collin happened. And this is what I want.”

“Then I’m going to tell you to let Teesha look things over, then go for it. Because the one thing people regret is not reaching for dreams. Will he let me pick him up?”

“He likes girls,” Maya told him. “He’s more shy around guys until he knows them better.”

“I’m a girl, so …” She picked Collin up, gave him a swing that made him laugh. “And I heard a car pull in. It’s either Teesha and fam, or Popi. Let’s go see.”

“I’ve got about twenty minutes, tops, before I have to get this one home for lunch and a nap. He gets seriously cranky otherwise.”

“This face?” Adrian kissed it. “Could never be cranky.”

“Come live my life for a couple days.”

Sadie moved from Adrian’s side, even picked up the pace when she spotted Phineas. Fully confident now, Teesha put her son down so he and the dog could have a loving reunion.

“Maya! And Collin’s gotten so big. He’s beautiful! Gimme.”

She snatched him from Adrian, and Monroe bent down to rest his chin on Teesha’s shoulder.

“Boy, you look like summer sunshine.”

After a shy smile, Collin wiggled.

“Okay, okay, who can compete with another boy and a dog mountain?”

After setting him down, Teesha wrapped around Maya. Whatever she murmured had Maya holding tight.

“Thanks. And thank both of you for the flowers. They were beautiful, and appreciated. Oh, it’s good to see you. All of you. Look at Phineas. He’s a little man.”

Sadie stretched out, in obvious bliss, as the boys crawled all over her.

“And you.” Teesha pointed a finger at Adrian. “I hate you.”