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“Not next week, sweetheart. You’re going to Australia with your Gran and Grandpa and Hannah.”

“Darcy come to Stralia?”

“Not right now. But soon. I promise.” It would be another year before she would be allowed to leave the country. But maybe it was best not to tell Lulu that, though her niece had very little concept of time.

The only person absent was Matt. He’d said he had a meeting at the barracks. More likely, he just couldn’t face her or Lulu. She knew he was hurting. The other night had demonstrated how much. Her perfect Matt, drunk and in a bar brawl. And for a good cause. She must tell him that the woman he’d been defending had turned up at the gym the following day and signed up for Darcy’s self-defense class.

He had promised to make it to the airport. He wouldn’t be such a coward as to miss that.

It was nearly time to go.

“Come on, let’s say your good-byes to everyone.”

“Don’t want to go.”

“Of course you do.”

“Where’s Matt?” Lulu was starting to look mutinous. She had a strange idea that Lulu hadn’t cottoned on that Matt wouldn’t be going with her to her new life. Another thing that was probably best not to go into. “Lulu want Matt.”

“He’ll be at the airport. You’ll see him soon.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Now say good-bye to Regan.” She handed her over to Regan, who gave her a hug and a kiss, then handed her on to Summer. Lulu made the rounds of the room and finally got back to Darcy. She hugged the little girl close, and everything hurt. Just a couple more hours, and she could have a nice, quiet breakdown, all alone. Then she could put herself back together. Again.

Matt’s mom came over. “The taxi is here.”

She nodded. “We’re coming. Go load your luggage.”

She took a deep breath as she watched them leave the room. Regan came up beside her. “It will be all right.”

“I know.” But she didn’t believe it. She had a horrible feeling she had totally messed up, and it was too late to ever put things right. She shifted Lulu in her arms. “Time to go.”