“That’s all right.”

It was probably the first time she had accepted a boundary without trying to negotiate it.

PART 12

Even after that first meeting, there were long stretches when the boys wanted no contact with Constance.

Henry sometimes asked me to read her letters without showing him the pictures.

Theo wanted to know whether she had apologized to Lauren directly.

Mason remained skeptical of every grand gesture.

Wyatt liked her jokes but noticed when she tried to turn a conversation toward the Ashford businesses.