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Jude notices me staring and points at his shirt.

“D gave me these for my birthday. Thought I'd wear them today.” He shrugs, looking a little embarrassed.

My eyes fill with tears, and I nod as I step aside to let him in.

His expression changes the moment a tear slips down my cheek. He reaches out and catches it with his thumb.

“It's okay,” I tell him, trying to smile. “I guess today will be one of those days.”

He pulls me into a hug, and I let myself lean against him for a moment, grateful for the comfort of his arms.

A throat clearing has us letting go of each other.

Chiara is standing in the hallway, one perfectly shaped eyebrow raised as her gaze moves from me to Jude and back again.

“Oh! I forgot. My sister is here!” I tell Jude, pulling Chiara towards me. “You two know each other, right?”

Chiara smirks. “We've met several times, Nora.”

Oh shit. Of course they have. The wedding, for one.

“Right.” I shake my head.

“Nice to see you again, Jude,” Chiara says, smiling as she gives him a rather appreciative once-over.

Jude nods. “Ditto.”

That's it.

So Jude.

Chiara turns towards me, and I can't quite make out the look on her face.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing.”

Jude looks between us, clearly deciding this is none of his business, before his gaze lands on the urn on the kitchen island.

His entire expression changes.

He walks over to it but doesn't touch it.

“You ready?”

I look at Damiano's ashes, then at my sister, standing beside me when I never expected her to be, and finally at Jude, wearing the jersey and cap Damiano gave him.

My chest hurts, but not in the way that makes me want to run anymore.

“Yeah.” I take a breath. “I'm ready.”

***

When we pull up at the ranch, I realize everyone really does mean everyone. Cars and trucks are parked all along the driveway, and beyond them, I can already see the Hawthornes gathered outside.

“Jesus,” Chiara mutters beside me.

I laugh softly. “Welcome to the Hawthorne Ranch.”