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“I keep busy, but it doesn’t make up for the friendship Dad and I shared,” said Emmie. “We’ll see what happens. I’m trying to keep an open mind.”

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That evening, after spending most of the day wanting to cancel the upcoming dinner, Emmie stood in front of the mirror, wondering if she was dressed appropriately. She’d already turned down the idea of wearing jeans and, instead, put on a pair of comfortable black pants and an animal print sweater that Lauren had given her. Black ankle boots completed the look.

When she walked into the kitchen, Lauren grinned. “You look fantastic, Mom. That sweater I gave you looks great.”

“Thank you. I admit I’m a little nervous, even though Tanner has already been approved by Kate.”

“She’s right to help you get started,” said Lauren. “She loved Dad as much as we all did.”

“Yes, she and Brad aren’t going to push just anyone on me,” Emmie said.

“Go and have fun,” said Lauren. “We’re going to be fine here.”

Emmie was touched by their role reversal and went to get her coat.

“Do you want me to walk you over to the Neames’ house?” asked Rick.

“That’s nice of you to ask, but I can do it myself,” Emmie said. “That way it won’t seem like such a big deal.”

“Gotcha,” said Rick. He was holding the baby and looked more natural doing it.

Emmie arrived at Kate’s and waited for someone to answer the doorbell.

“Hi, Emmie,” said Brad. “Come on in.”

He took her coat and then led her to the living room, where a man sitting on the couch was talking to Kate. When he saw them, he stood.

Brad turned to her. “Emmie, I want you to meet Tanner Stone, a lawyer who recently joined my firm. Tanner, this is Emmie Withers, a neighbor and dear friend of ours.”

She gazed at Tanner’s friendly smile and relaxed. He was a trim man, taller than Earl had been, with sandy hair that was thinning a bit, and brown eyes that gazed at her with approval.

Emmie took a seat on the couch with Kate. The men sat in chairs at either end of the couch, forming a semi-circle.

“Tanner and I were just discussing high schools in the area for his son, Derek,” said Kate.

“Kate mentioned you had a 14-year-old,” said Emmie. “How’s that going?”

Tanner grinned. “Life with him has its ups and downs, but Derek is a great kid. He plays sports, and that’s a big help in keeping him focused. It works well except when I’m expected to go to his games. With work, that can get tricky.”

“It sounds like you’re an involved dad,” said Emmie. “I have two adult girls and am a new grandmother.” She accepted a glass of wine from Brad. “It’s something new for all of us.”

“I was in my early forties when Derek was born,” said Tanner. “Raising him since he was four has been one challenge after another.”

“You’re a great father,” said Kate. “Seeing you two together proves that.”

“It wasn’t that long ago that you were in warm, pleasant weather,” Kate said to Emmie and then faced Tanner. “Emmie spent Christmas at The Beach House Hotel.”

His eyebrows raised. “I’ve heard it’s very special.”

“The hotel and the service are the best,” Emmie said. “I had to leave early because my eldest daughter gave birth to my grandson. But I’ve already booked rooms to go back.”

“How are the baby and family doing living at your house?” Brad asked her.

“Fine,” said Emmie. “There’s baby stuff everywhere. Today’s baby equipment and items for mothers are very helpful compared to what Kate and I had to deal with.”

“True,” said Kate. “And when it’s time, you can show me how it all works.”