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Tresia was stunned. Yes, she knew Avery loved her—had actually told her that before—but she’d never ever called her ‘mama.’ The love she had for Avery made her heart swell and tears spring to her eyes.

“Good night, sweetheart,” she managed over the lump in her throat before Avery dashed for the door to get ready for bed.

Another thought occurred to her, one that brought anxiety to mix with the wonder of Avery’s words. She glanced at Devlin, still overwhelmed. “Do you mind that she called me that?”

There was a gentle smile on his face but his eyes, so much like his daughter’s, held a touch of sadness.

He shook his head, as if unable to speak, then rose from his chair and walked over to her, gave her a quick kiss on the lips, then left the kitchen.

A moment later, she heard him whistling as he went upstairs.

Still stunned, Tresia did the dishes, then set up the chessboard in the parlor while he was upstairs putting Avery to bed. She poured two small glasses of brandy, then made herself comfortable at the table to wait for him.

She looked up as he came down the stairs. There was a bounce in his step and the gentle smile he’d worn earlier had grown. She waited until he took the chair across from her before she said, “I won’t ever let her forget Hannah.” She meant what she said.

“I know you won’t,” he said then reached for her hand over the chessboard, giving it a squeeze before letting go and taking a sip of brandy.

Again, that touch of sadness glowed from his eyes, but it was fleeting. If he wanted to talk about it, she’d be more than willing to listen, but for right now, there was another subject she’d been worried about discussing.

“I wanted to ask you something.”

Devlin looked up from the white pawn he was preparing to move and gave her his full attention. “What?”

“It’s about Sullivan’s,” she began but didn’t quite know how to continue. She looked across the table at him, searching his face. He hadn’t lost his smile. It was still gentle and filled with so many possibilities.

“What about Sullivan’s?” he prompted her after a few moments of silence.

“You know I want it back, right?”

“I do.”

She took a deep breath. “So what will happen if I can somehow manage to get it? We’ll be married. I’ll have you and Avery to take care of. I?—”

“You’re worried that you couldn’t have both—a happy marriage and a successful business,” he supplied the thought she had trouble with.

“But I can’t see a reason why you couldn’t, Tresia.

As long as Avery is happy and healthy.” He smiled at her over the chessboard.

“And you have time for me.” He laughed. “Doesn’t Elsie at the Wagon Wheel have children? ”

“She does. Her mother watches her girls while Elsie and Oscar are at the restaurant.”

“They seem happy. The children are well taken care of.” He sat back in his chair but never took his gaze from her. “Doesn’t Gemma over at Goldwater’s have children?”

“Yes.”

“And Mrs. Gonzales at the hotel?”

She nodded. “But their children are a bit older and actually help out. Avery is so young.”

“Didn’t your father take you to the store with him when you were young?”

“He did.”

“And you loved going there with him, spending your time helping, learning everything he could teach you.”

Fond memories filled her head, bringing a lump to her throat. “Yes.”

“I’m sure Avery wouldn’t mind being with you at the store.

In fact, I think she’d love it.” He sat up and moved his pawn then looked at her.

“I can help, too, here at home so you wouldn’t have to worry.

I would hate for you to give up your dreams because we’re getting married.

You should be able to do the things you want to do. ”

Tresia just stared at him, a little surprised though she shouldn’t have been.

Devlin Goodrich was a good man in so many ways—understanding, kind, thoughtful, and right now, he was making a lot of sense.

In fact, he was going out of his way to show her that she could manage all of it, if she so chose.

She could have a successful marriage as well as a successful store.

Other women had done it and were still doing it.

“You could also hire one or two people to help, but aren’t you getting a bit ahead of yourself? Has Arnold or Willetta said anything to you when you pick up the books? Are they willing to give up Sullivan’s?”

“No, they haven’t said anything, but they haven’t done what needs to be done either.

” She let out a sigh, disappointment rifling through her.

“The last time I went in there, no one had dusted or swept the floor. And the books are a mess even though I clean them up every time I take them. They’re not paying their bills, either, probably because they’re driving their customers away and they’re not making any money. ”

“Let’s just wait and see what happens. Who knows? There could be a different opportunity. Another building up for sale that you could purchase and make your own.” His gaze held hers steadily, a different kind of light dancing in his eyes now. “I don’t want to play chess,” he finally admitted.

“You don’t?”

He shook his head. “Why don’t we go upstairs and celebrate our upcoming marriage.”

Tresia didn’t need a second invitation. She rose from her seat, reached out her hand to grasp his and led him upstairs to his bedroom on the second floor.