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“But twice is an improvement.” Ava flopped into the recliner. All of the ladies had unofficial assigned seats, and someone had even pulled Abby’s toddler chair into the living room.

Abby walked slowly into the living room carrying a tray with two drinks on it. Her attention was so focused on the drinks that she almost walked into the couch.

“Who ordered drinks?” Cheyenne asked.

Abby stopped in front of the couch. “One for you, and one for you.”

Remi and Cheyenne took their drinks. The amber liquid in the mason jar wasn’t scalding, but it was warm enough that it tingled Remi’s fingertips.

“I’ll be right back with yours,” Abby said over her shoulder to Ava.

Remi tugged Abby to her side. “Where’d you get this new apron?”

Abby lifted the skirt of the pink apron with lace trim. “Miss Ava gave it to me. It’s beautiful.”

Remi brushed her fingertips over the silky material. “It is.”

Abby pressed a quick kiss to Remi’s cheek and skipped back to the kitchen with the tray.

Remi’s chest ached. She’d been at the ranch for years, and she still hadn’t figured out how to react when the women did nice things for no reason.

When Abby was out of sight, Remi turned to Ava. “Thanks for that.”

“No problem. One of the ladies at church makes them for her granddaughters, and she was happy to make one for Abby.”

Fire rushed up Remi’s throat, and something behind her nose tickled. Her eyes grew heavy, and she gripped the arm of the couch to keep from jumping to her feet and running away.

Abby returned with the tray and one more drink. She stopped in front of Ava, who made a huge show of gratitude.

When Abby turned to Remi, her smile fell. “You okay?”

Remi wiped her eyes. “I’m more than okay.” The women at the ranch doted on Abby, essentially adopting her into their circle of happiness. If nothing else happened tonight, Abby would at least have a few hours when she could forget that Colt would be gone for the next few days.

“But you’re crying.”

Was she? Remi brushed her fingers over her cheek. Sure enough, the wetness was there. She didn’t cry often, but it was always bound to happen when she was struggling to keep herself emotionally stable. It was a miracle she’d made it this long.

“They’re happy tears,” Remi said.

Abby tilted her head. “Happy tears?”

“Yeah. I’m just happy.” It was true. Abby and Ben had everything Remi had always wished she’d had as a kid. Not only did the kids have a father and mother figure who loved them, but they had a group here who added extra love on a daily basis.

Stella stepped out of the hallway and halted when she spotted Remi. “What’s wrong? Why are you leaking?”

Remi wiped the tears again. “I’m just happy.” Everything had been numbed lately, but the tears were a sign that she was still alive and capable of loving and appreciating the good she’d stumbled into.

“Good. I’ll grab my drink, and we’ll get started.”

Abby jumped up. “I’ll get it!”

The rest of the evening passed with a note of happiness covering everything. Remi’s breaths came easier than they had in over a week, and she slumped onto the couch when the kids were tucked into bed. She checked her phone, and a text waited from Colt.

Colt: Call me when you get the kids to bed.

Remi rested her head back against the couch, closed her eyes, and made the call.

“Hey, princess.”