Chapter Fifty-Eight

“Did you have a nice time?” Sarah asked, flipping on a lamp and straightening up a few things Michael had apparently strewn around the room.

On weak legs, Melody made her way back into the living room and dropped onto the sofa. “Yes,” she said, knowing she was still starry eyed.

“Take your coat off and stay a while,” her mother said.

The phrase was something her father would have said, and it jarred Melody back around a bit. She had forgotten she was still wearing her coat, so she began to unbutton it.

Sarah folded the throw blanket up and sat it on the back of her chair and then sat down to face her daughter. “He seems like an awfully nice young man, Melody.”

Her coat on the sofa beside her now, Melody agreed. “He is, Mom.”

“And Michael is a doll.”

“I know. There’s