Page 27 of The One Who Never Left: Colter

Sutton’s lips curved into a gentle, practiced smile. “I don’t, Pumpkin. I’m just letting you know so you can be prepared.”

So that I can be prepared. Because hope without an exit plan had burned her before, and she would not be caught without a way out if things went wrong.

Sutton unbuckled her seatbelt, released Lynlee from her car seat and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as they stepped out of the car.

The September breeze hit them, carrying the buzz of laughter and music from the party inside. Sutton took a deep breath, willing herself to look calm, and led Lynlee up the stone walkway to a sprawling ranch.

The house sat low and wide against the early-afternoon sun, all warm wood and stone, with a front porch that promised long afternoons and a life that ran slower than the world outside. A few bikes leaned casually against the railing, flowers bloomed from painted water troughs, and a porch swing swayed gently in the breeze. Sutton nearly turned tail and considered driving straight back to San Francisco. This felt way too real and far too permanent.

There was nothing staged here. Just like there was nothing staged about the family who owned it. Today was more than an inconsequential neighborhood get-together, yet there she was in a plain, silky yellow top—that was in need of an iron—balancing a casserole in one hand and holding sticky fingers in the other.

She had, at last count, three separate anxieties competing for the top spot: whether the casserole would tip, whether Lynlee would say something devastatingly true at the worst possible moment, and whether she herself might simply combust before making it through the door.

She knocked, half hoping no one would answer, half praying someone would. Before she could leave, the door opened, and all the uncertainty fled.

Vivi was on the other side dressed in a bright blue sundress and even brighter smile. “You made it!”

“We did,” Lynlee said with so much excitement, Sutton’s chest felt tight and heavy with nerves. “And I’ve gots this for yous and Mister Boone.”

Lynlee held out a card and with a gentle smile Vivi took it. She studied it as if it were a prized painting. “This is a beautiful invitation.”

“I made it myself. Can yous come?”

Vivi clutched it to her heart. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

Lynlee bounced on her toes with excitement. “Can I gos swimming? I broughts my bathing suit and floaties and everything.”

“You mentioned in passing that you had a pool. I wasn’t sure if it was a swim party, so I brought her things just in case,” Sutton said a tinge of embarrassment heating her cheeks. “But if it’s not, that’s no problem.” She wiggled Lynlee’s hand. “Right, Pumpkin?”

Lynlee blew out a big sigh of disappointment. “Right.”

“Well, I’m glad you brought it. There are a few other kids here and they’re already in the pool.”

“Yay!” Lynlee jumped up and down. “Can we gos swimming now?”

“After we say hi to everyone,” Sutton said. “Plus, don’t you have a few more invitations to hand out?”

“Right,” Lynlee said with so much determination one would think she were handing out gilded invitations to the Queen’s coronation. “Invitations then swimming.”

“Let me take that.” Vivi reached out and Sutton handed over the dish.

“It’s lemon bars,” Lynlee said.

“My favorite.”

“Mine too,” Lynlee said with glee. “I helped mommy make it.”

“Then I’m sure they’ll be delicious.”

A sound reminiscent of a herd of elephants came stampeding down the hall.

A moment later, a little boy just about Lynlee age, but a foot taller, skidded to a stop. He was dressed in dinosaur swim trunks, fresh-from-the-pool hair, and smelled like chlorine. Sutton recognized him from parent pick up at the preschool.

“Parker!” Lynlee said excitedly. “You still wants to come to my birfday party?”

“Sure,” Parker said.

“I’m gonna have cake and presents and a piñata!” Lynlee added, practically spinning in circles.