Alexa held tight to the railing in the elevator as it climbed toward the Caliber main office. It was too soon to worry about what her father would do when he found out about the deal she’d made with Salvatore to hopefully secure her position at the company, but her body didn’t get the memo. She usually performed well under pressure, but today her hands were sweating, and she felt lightheaded. The truth was that now, she didn’t care if she was chosen as the CEO. Of course, she cared about the future of the company, and she loved her job. It just didn’t define her anymore. Since her father had pitted her against Aiden, what little relationship she’d had with her brother had all but died. She would never put a job before family, but it seemed Aiden didn’t feel the same. If only Aiden would realize she wasn’t his enemy. But every other aspect of her life was flourishing. Lorie and Irene had been the best bridesmaids she could have hoped for and had stepped up every time she’d needed

Salvatore. The next day, Salvatore stood in the elevator with Alexa on their way to see her father. Salvatore had called early in the morning to schedule a private meeting with Martin, and Irene had set it up with Martin’s approval. That had to mean something. Martin was willing to meet with him. He could only hope it was because he wanted to believe what Alexa had said, and not because he wanted a chance to let Salvatore know he was angry with them. “I feel like I’m on my way to have that talk yesterday all over again,” Alexa said. Salvatore squeezed her hand. “I’m here this time. We’ll make sure he knows we’re sorry for deceiving him.” She smiled then, and a little bit of the weight that had been crushing him all day lifted. Alexa scooted closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I love you. No matter what happens today or any other day. I love you, and I’m glad you’re my husband.” “I love you too.” Salvatore kissed her head just as the elevator doors opened. Irene

Celina’s anxiety waned on her quiet drive to the hardware store. She parked her trusty CR-V in the middle of the lot and shut the engine off. The lunch rush in the small town of Carson, Georgia couldn’t hold a candle to the bustle of Nashville, Tennessee. It’d been almost four years since she moved to Carson, and the time she’d spent in Nashville seemed like a lifetime ago. She let her heavy head rest on the steering wheel and closed her eyes. She was close to regaining her composure after her trip to the brink of a breakdown earlier. Prayer. She needed to pray. It was the only thing that calmed the storm that had clouded her heart these last few years. “Lord, please help me find what I’m looking for. I don’t know what I’m doing or how to do it.” She sucked in a slow, deep breath. “I’m lost, and I’m scared, and I need You. Help me find what I need today. Guide me, Lord.” She stepped from the car and hoisted her purse more securely on her shoulder as she made her way into the store

Celina spent a few more hours with her head beneath the kitchen sink. She felt defeated as she slid the bowl back under the disassembled sink pipes and went to pick up Emma from her parents’ house. Celina hadn’t remembered half of what Gabe had told her to do at the store. She’d been too focused on his bright smile and charming eyes. Why was she always a sucker for the impractical men? She mentally kicked herself and hoped that one day she’d learn from her mistakes. It didn’t really matter what Gabe had said. The parts didn’t fit, and she’d have to make another run to the hardware store tomorrow after work. She couldn’t take off another day to get this sink in order. She’d have to work on it at night after Emma was in bed. Celina stepped into her parents’ house and the smell of cookies made her stomach rumble. She’d forgotten to eat lunch. “Hello!” she yelled into the quiet house. Within seconds, she heard the quick beat of her daughter’s running steps down the hallway. “Mommy!”

Gabe Gabe felt the warmth of the long-sleeve shirt instantly envelope his body. Someone had turned the thermostat to frostbite lately, and the February air was frigid but still as he made his way back into Celina’s house for dinner. When Rhonda Manning had stopped by the store today, he’d thought it was a nice surprise to see her. When she and the giggling Emma had told him the reason for their visit, he’d been bursting with excitement at the second chance to see Celina. Finding out that Emma was Celina’s daughter was a shock at first, but Rhonda had felt the need to whisper to him the details of Emma’s paternity. Apparently, Celina’s ex-husband had abandoned her soon after Emma’s birth. Rhonda’s abbreviated tale of Celina’s relationship with Emma’s father had stoked a fire inside him. He’d been relieved to find out that Celina was single at first, but then, the realization that some jerk had left her and Emma sickened him. He’d been captivated by Emma since meeting her, and he co