Sarah was exhausted by the time Mandy had driven them past the swamps and industrial parks on interstate 95 and up the blue route to the slice of suburban heaven where Tarker’s Hollow was nestled.

They hadn’t said much. Mandy had wrapped her in a warm hug and then thrown her bags in the backseat. Then Sarah gazed out the window as the road brought her closer to her boy.

When the close-set Victorians gave way to fields and trees, she knew they were close.

“Are you okay?” Mandy asked.

“Yeah,” Sarah said. “I’m okay.”

But she had a hollow feeling in her chest.

It was likely because she missed her baby. She couldn’t wait to hug him close. But he was a good sleeper, it would be a few hours more before he woke up and she got her cuddle.

Mandy parked and they walked to the house, leaves crunching under their feet from the big sycamores that lined the drive.

Sarah opened the front door to find Kate standing in the living room, Orson in her arms.

“Somebody knew you were coming,” Kate chuckled.

Orson squealed and Sarah gratefully took him from Kate.

He tucked his little nose into the crook of her neck, chubby little hands squeezing her shoulder, tugging at her hair, as if to be sure of her.

“Oh, I missed you, buddy,” she told him. “I missed you so much.”

His head smelled even more heavenly than she remembered and she buried her nose in his fluff of hair and covered his warm head with kisses.

“I’ll fix you some tea,” Kate said.

“No, no, I’m fine,” Sarah said, seating herself on the sofa with Orson. “Thank you for getting up with him.”

“Nonsense, love,” Kate said. “You get to where I am and you appreciate a nighttime cuddle with a baby. They grow up so fast.”

Sarah looked down at Orson, hoping it wouldn’t happen too fast.

“How did it go with his Daddy?” Kate asked.

Mandy made a cutting motion across her neck. Unfortunately she wasn’t standing far enough back for Sarah not to catch it in her periphery.

Kate nodded and slipped into the kitchen.

Sarah’s phone buzzed in her pocket.

“Oh, wow,” she said.

It was after midnight.

She shifted Orson into one arm and slid the phone out of her pocket, mentally trying to figure out which loved one might be ill.

It was a text.

---

Max Reynolds (tree guy):

---

I know it’s late, but I wanted you to know it was good seeing you these past few days. I’m sorry I lost my temper this morning. I was afraid something had happened to you in the woods and I was angry at myself for not waking up sooner when you could have been in danger. Anyway, I take it from the way you ran when you noticed us this afternoon that you are not ready to meet my mother yet. But I’d love to see you again on your terms. No pressure. But I think you’re amazing, Sarah Bennett.

---

Sarah smiled down at the phone.

His mother.

She thought back to the primly crossed ankles and the ‘80s style pumps and wondered how she hadn’t suspected as much in the first place.

“I know you said no tea, but here’s a sandwich and a glass of milk,” Kate said, coming out of the kitchen and setting down the feast in front of Sarah. “I’ll see you kids in the morning.”

“Thank you,” Sarah said. She felt good and hungry all of a sudden.

“My pleasure,” Kate said. “Good night, lamb.” She leaned down and stroked Orson’s fluffy head with her index finger.

“Was that Max?” Mandy asked, indicating Sarah’s phone as Kate climbed the stairs.

Sarah nodded.

“What he said made you smile,” Mandy noted.

“Yeah,” Sarah said.

Mandy smiled and nodded.

“I think I’m going to try and get Orson down after I eat,” Sarah said, not ready to share more with her sister.

“Good thinking,” Mandy told her. “But text him back first.”

“No,” Sarah said. “I think I’m going to wait until morning. And then I’m going to call him.”

“You’re going to tell him?”

“He’s a good guy,” Sarah said. “Whether we’re a couple or not, Orson deserves the chance to know him.”

Mandy pulled Sarah and Orson into her arms for a big bear hug.

“I’m proud of you, and I’m here no matter how he reacts,” Mandy assured her.

“Thanks again for having my back,” Sarah said, unshed tears burning her eyes.

“Always.”