CHAPTER NINETEEN

bond we'd all built. That Lucas's feelings for me...for us...were strong enough to weather the storm.

The sudden blare of a car horn jolted me from my anxious musings. Heart leaping into my throat, I hurried out of the bathroom just in time to see Brian dashing out the front door, sketch pad clutched to his chest.

"Uncle Lucas, Uncle Lucas! Look what I drew for you!"

Snatching up my purse, I locked the apartment and turned to see Brian already bouncing around Lucas, chattering a mile a minute as he waved a piece of paper in his face.

Lucas, bless him, just grinned and nodded along, squatting down to look at Brian's latest masterpiece. "Wow, buddy, this is fantastic! Is that you and me playing catch in the park?"

"Uh-huh! And there's Mommy, see, watching us and smiling."

My heart turned over in my chest. Tears pricked the backs of my eyes at the sight of them together, so easy and affectionate. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And that's when it hit me - this was right