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her next piece.
    She bit her lip and tilted her head, studying the scene for focal points and contrast. But the backyard images faded.
    Why hadn’t she noticed Landon years ago? Back before she’d made a mess of her life? The answer came as easily as her next breath. Because she’d been afraid. Afraid Landon was too safe, afraid she wasn’t good enough for him. And so she’d gone off to Paris to prove she didn’t need him or anyone else. To show them all she could make it as an artist. Instead, she’d come home utterly defeated in all ways but one.
    Paris gave her Cole.
    Her young son was everything to her now—the music in every song, the poetry that rang in her heart, the inspiration for every one of her recent paintings. He was upstairs making a Lego creation, and any minute he’d bounce down the stairs to show her an alien rocket ship or a super high-powered flying speedboat. He’d inherited her creative bent, no doubt.
    Ashley made a few more swipes across the counter, but her hand froze as she heard the back door open.
    “Did you get the cake?” Her mother breezed into the kitchen and set a bag of groceries on the counter.
    “Got it.”
    “Perfect.” Mom was out of breath as she tossed her keys in the drawer by the kitchen desk and began unpacking. Green beans, canned soup, taco shells. Applesauce. “Go to the store for milk and find a dozen things you need. Always happens.” She paused and met Ashley’s eyes. “Where’s Cole?”
    “Upstairs creating.”
    “And the cake?”
    “In the freezer.”
    “Good.” Ashley’s mom straightened and sized up the kitchen area. “Thanks for cleaning up.” She blew at a wisp of dark hair, peeled off her jacket, and set it on the back of the desk chair. “The whole day was crazy.”
    “No problem.” Ashley wrung out the sponge and stood it up near the kitchen sink. “They’re engaged, right? That’s the announcement?”
    Her mother gave a light shrug of her shoulders as she pulled a pound of butter and a loaf of bread from the grocery sack. “I can’t tell.”
    “Mom.” Ashley rolled her eyes and leaned against the counter. “The cake says Congratulations, Kari and Ryan. I don’t think we’re celebrating Kari’s new minivan.”
    “Hey.” Her mom raised an eyebrow in her direction. “You weren’t supposed to peek.”
    “So, I’m right.” Ashley wrestled the strange feeling in her heart. What was it? Jealousy? Loneliness? Whatever it was, she had to let it go. Kari deserved as much happiness as possible.
    Her mother finished putting away the food and folded the brown bag. “They’ve always been perfect for each other.”
    “They have.” Ashley dried her hands and tried to sound upbeat. “Need anything else?”
    “Nope.” Her mother took a few steps and glanced at the dining room. “Everything’s perfect.” She faced Ashley again and her expression softened. “Okay, tell me. What’s wrong?”
    Ashley headed toward the living room. “Nothing.” She shot a smile over her shoulder and then plopped down on the overstuffed sofa. “I couldn’t be happier for them.”
    Her mother followed and took the rocking chair a few feet away. “You still think I can’t read your eyes, Ash.” She brushed her dark hair back from her face. “When’s the last time you talked to Landon?”
    “Mother.” Ashley gave an exaggerated huff. “This isn’t about Landon.”
    “Okay.” She leaned back and set the rocker in motion. “But when?”
    Ashley stared out the window. She hated this, hated how her mother could read her. No matter how independent she’d tried to be over the years, she’d never been able to fool her mother. Ashley crossed her arms and caught her mother’s gaze once more. “A few weeks.”
    Her mother looked like she might say something, but then she seemed to change her mind. In the silence, Ashley sucked in a quick breath and looked out the window again. “He’s busy, Mother. It’s New York City. If he doesn’t