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“Can I ask you something?” she said quietly, her fingers tightening on Hannah’s arms. “And I need you to be honest with me.”

Hannah’s heart gave a small, nervous jump. “Of course.”

“If this doesn’t go the way we’re all praying it will,” Morgan said, her voice shaking, “would you consider—”

She stopped and swallowed hard. “Would you be willing to take care of Riley and Carter for me?”

For a moment, the room seemed to tilt. The children were across the room now, kneeling by more glove dolls the nurses had provided for them to play with.

The enormity of what Morgan was asking was sobering and overwhelming.

How could she possibly even consider it? But as she looked at the two children who had become so dear to her, she didn’t even need to think about her answer.

“Yes,” she said, her voice steady even as emotion swelled inside her. “If that’s what you want, and if it becomes necessary—which it won’t!—I would absolutely take care of them.”

Tears spilled over Morgan’s lashes. “I pray it never comes to that,” she whispered.

“So do I,” Hannah said. “With everything in me.”

“But it helps to know they would have you,” Morgan said.

“And the rest of our friends,” Hannah added.

“I am so very lucky I decided to take a job in Shelter Springs,” Morgan said, wiping at her tears.

“Absolutely,” Hannah said, hugging her again. “And you’re stuck with us. No matter what.”

Morgan nodded, eyes closing as she clung to her. “You have made this a truly unforgettable birthday.”

“That was the goal,” Hannah replied, forcing a smile. She turned to the children. “Okay, guys. Time to go.”

They hugged their mom one more time, trying to delay as long as possible, but eventually followed her to the elevator.

Outside, Wes and Kodiak were waiting by the truck.

“Are you all ready to hit the road?” he asked.

The children both sighed heavily.

“I guess,” Riley said, her voice small. Carter looked as if he were fighting back tears.

“Climb in,” Hannah said gently. “You can pick something to watch on your tablets.”

Normally, she would have pushed for looking out the window or listening to the book she was reading them, at least on the front end of their drive. Today, any distraction felt like mercy.

Once they were buckled and each had a movie playing on their tablets, Wes pulled out of the parking lot.

“How was Morgan this morning?” he asked as they drove down the winding hill toward the highway that would take them north.

“She was putting on a brave front,” Hannah said. “But I could tell she was as upset about the kids leaving as they were.”

“It’s a tough situation, all the way around,” he said.

“I can’t imagine going through cancer treatment without any family to lean on,” she murmured, watching the hospital recede in the side mirror.

“Not everyone has a warm, supportive family like yours,” he said.

“I know.” She exhaled. “I’m extremely fortunate.”