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Three

      “Auntie.”

      Joey’s squeal made Neely smile before she climbed from her sedan. She opened her arms as he leaped forward, and held him against her, his legs kicking in delight. The feel of her nephew’s cheek against hers, the tightness of the two-year-old’s arms, warmed her inside and out. “Where’s your mama?”

      “In.” He swung his chunky arm toward the house, and she balanced his weight on her hip as she trudged to the screen door and pulled it open. “Ashley?”

      Her sister darted into the kitchen, and when she saw Joey, surprise lit her face. “Was he outside?”

      “Looks like it.” She gave the toddler a bounce, and set him on the floor.

      Ashley knelt in front of him and shook her head. “Joey. You can’t go outside without Mama. You know that.”

      He pointed to the heavens. “Birdies.”

      She gave Neely a helpless look. “Yes, birdies, but ask Mama to go out with you, okay?”

      Joey studied her a moment, as if he wanted to digest her request.

      She shifted his chin so he faced her. “Do you want a time out?”

      His head swung back and forth like a flag in the wind.

      “Then you ask Mama so we can go outside together. Okay?”

      “’kay.” His decisive response rang with agreement. Apparently the time out did the trick.

      Neely glowed, seeing again the intelligence of her nephew. His speech and abilities seemed ahead of his age. He had his daddy’s smarts and his mama’s loving ways.

      Ashley shook her head, her expression wearing the look of defeat as Joey ran into the next room. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with him. He’s already a handful at two.”

      Neely chuckled “The terrible twos. But he’s verging on three. Hopefully it won’t be long.” She wrapped her arm around her sister’s shoulder, and guided her through the doorway where Joey had settled on the living room floor with a pile of blocks and miniature cars. “How are you?”

      Ashley sank onto the sofa and motioned her to an easy chair. Moisture shone in her eyes and twisted Neely’s heart. Almost two years had passed since Ashley’s husband died for his country in the Middle East, but the pain of losing a soul mate couldn’t be marked by years. The sorrow lasted a lifetime.

      Her sister brushed away her tears. “Sorry, it still hits hard once in a while, especially days when Joey’s antics are involved. I wish Adam could have known him, even for a little while.”

      Neely rose and settled beside her sister, grasping her hand. “Ash, he knew Joey. He knew him from the photos and all that you shared in your letters.” Her words sounded empty. “You want more than that. I understand. But they’ll meet one day, and what a glorious reunion they’ll have.”

      Ashley rested her head on Neely’s shoulder. “In heaven, you mean.”

      She could only nod, struggling to swallow the lump in her throat.

      “You’re right, sis.” She raised her head followed by a ragged breath. “God gave me part of Adam when he blessed us with a son. I can be grateful for that, and for the time I had with Adam. I have to remember he died doing what he thought was right.” She lowered her head with an easy wag. “Think of the many men and women who died in Afghanistan and left no children behind.”

      Her own lack of a family tinged her mind. “You’re right, Ash. God gave you a wonderful gift.” She motioned to Joey, absorbed with his cars and the block structure he’d devised. “And he’s so bright. His hand-eye coordination is amazing.”

      Ashley smiled. “He takes after Adam.”

      Neely’s purpose for stopping by became trivial in the midst of their conversation. She longed to say so many things that were brilliant and helpful, but she was lost. At this point in her life, she had no husband, no children, no way to deeply relate to her sister’s sorrow.

      Ashley’s grieved expression smoothed away. “Let’s talk about you. I haven’t heard from you for a few days.”

      The reference to her absence made her feel enveloped in failure. She’d come home to spend time with her father and sister, but for the past few days her mind had been on running into Jonny and jolted by his reference to Erik. “I’ve been trying to get Dad settled. He needs to accept his condition and take better care of himself.” Her excuse sounded feeble. A phone call took minutes.

      “If anyone can do it, you can.” Ashley nudged her. “Determination.”

      Neely grinned but didn’t bother to respond since she had no rebuttal. Ashley’s point was too true. “Another thing I’ve done is started to exercise, and I’ve joined a gym.” She gave her rounded hip a couple of pats. “I need to get back in shape.” She gazed at her slender sister, aware that grief had taken off her pounds. “You remember my friend Lorraine Turner. Her brother Jonny told me about a new place called Tone and Trim Fitness Center. Remember him? He was such a pest?”

      Ashley’s chuckle lifted her spirit. “Not anymore, I bet. That was thirteen or fourteen years ago. Boys grow into men.”

      Jonny’s image bolted into her mind, and warmth rolled up her neck. “Right. He’s not a boy anymore. You should see him. If he weren’t so young, and if I could forget the past, I’d be batting my eyes at him.” A wince of reality shivered down her back. She probably had battered her eyes at him without wanting to.

      “How much younger is he?”

      “Four years.” She shrugged, ignoring her escalating pulse. “He was such a—”

      “Four years. That’s nothing. The older you get age issues fade away. The guy’s twenty-eight. If that’s not a man, I don’t know what is.”

      His tapered frame, broad shoulders trimming to a tight waist and long legs filled her mind. And those eyes.

      Ashley shook her head as if Neely were an idiot. “I’m sure he’s changed...besides looks, I mean?”

      “Obviously. He’s older. He makes me laugh. He’s thoughtful. He showed concern about Dad and you, Ash. Very sincere. It touched me.” The conversation hedged on danger. Ashley’s expression already hinted at a comment brewing in her mind. “One thing for sure, I was impressed he doesn’t hate me.” She managed a grin. “You know he could with the way I treated him.”

      “So what’s the downside of this guy?”

      The question hung on the air. Downside? Her memory replayed their recent conversation, and she came up empty.

      Ashley released a puff of air. “No downside?”

      “I’m sure he has some.” Age, but Ashley already pooh-poohed that one. “I just can’t come up with any right now.” The reality of her answer threw her. “He’d be a catch for anyone.” Anyone but her. She couldn’t get past their previous relationship. But she couldn’t say it. Ashley had already negated that.

      A fresh idea popped into her head. If Ashley were ready for a relationship, she would be blessed with Jonny as a husband. “Are you getting out at all, Ash?”

      Her sister gave her a blank look.

      “You need to socialize. How about a different job?” She loved the turn of the conversation. It got her sister off her back. “Maybe I should take care of Joey, and let you have a chance to meet some—”

      “Stop.” Ashley’s hand flexed upward. “I’m working. I’m typing letters, addressing envelopes and creating some promotional materials for a few small businesses, and I can do that at home. Joey needs a parent, and I’m it.” She arched a brow. “And I suspect you have more on you mind than my socializing with women. Men? I don’t know, Neely. I’m

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