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paused. Sometimes his resolve annoyed her. How could he have moved on and forgiven? Why was he so
good?
    “Do you want to see if you can track down the others? At least see if they’re going before you make a decision.”
    Just like that, he’d steadied her again.
    “I can’t see Meghan making this trip—and Lila? She won’t go back either, Graham. Suzanne’s going to be at the Blossom Festival alone.”
    “They might surprise you.”
    She shook her head.
    He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.
    She savored his strong arms around her and noticed she’d been completely disarmed at his touch. How did he do that?
    He wiped a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb, then kissed her forehead. “Let me know if I can help, okay?”
    She nodded.
    “I’m going to bed. Don’t stay up too late.”
    “I won’t.”
    With the house quiet and her to-do list out of sight, Jane’s mind started to meander through her childhood—stories that almost always included Suzanne. Her friend had shown her what unconditional love was, at a time when she needed it most. Her mind drifted to the summer of 1983.
    The smells of cotton candy and buttery popcorn floated in the air, blending perfectly with the breeze off the lake. The happy music from the carousel at the amusement park echoed across the beach as the horses spun round and round. Jane licked her ice cream cone, wishing for just one ride.
    The park bench bit into her legs, but inside the melody of the carousel matched her heartbeat.
    “How’s that ice cream cone, Fatso?”
    “It’s gonna go straight to your big old butt.”
    Jane shrank in her twelve-year-old skin as she glared at the two girls standing in front of her. She’d been friends with Leanne and Lori last summer, but this summer something had changed. They stood, hands on hips, staring at her, as the blue moon ice cream melted all over her hand.
    “Eat up, Porky.”
    Tears stung Jane’s eyes, and she blinked to keep them from falling.
    “At least she isn’t gonna need a plastic surgeon for her face.” The voice came from behind Jane. She spun around and saw a skinny brunette with a curly ponytail staring at the two girls. “You
must
know what it’s going to cost to fix those cartoon noses of yours?”
    “Who are you?”
    “I’m Jane’s friend. And you’re not—so get out of here.”
    Leanne and Lori, as if on cue, rolled their eyes and sauntered off in the direction of the Boardwalk.
    “I’m going to ride the carousel,” the dark-headed girl said. “Wanna come with me?” She wore an orange bathing suit and a pair of white terry-cloth shorts.
    Jane turned away. The girl sat on the park bench beside her.
    “Finish your cone and then we’ll go.” The girl twirled a strand of hair and made an I-know-what-you-want grin. She blew a large pink bubble with her gum and let it pop on her face.
    “I’m not going on a dumb carousel.” The ice cream stuck in her throat, almost gagging her. Blue moon was her favorite and now she watched it turn to liquid in her hand.
    “Don’t let those stupid girls get to you,” the girl said, pulling the sticky gum from her lips. “You don’t need them anyway. You’ve got me now. Once I’m your friend, I’m your friend for life.”
    Jane watched as the girl pulled her legs up on the bench and crossed them in front of her.
    “What’s your name?” Jane licked her ice cream just before it dripped on her hand.
    “Suzanne. And you’re Jane.”
    Jane frowned.
    “My mom knows your mom. They met at some tea or something. My dad’s the pastor at Sweethaven Chapel this summer.” Suzanne looked at the cone in Jane’s hand. “You’re dripping.”
    “Oh.” Jane licked the blue ice cream off her hand and tossed the cone in the garbage.
    “I would’ve eaten that, ya know.”
    “I licked all over it.” Jane scrunched her face.
    “So? I don’t believe in germs.” Suzanne grinned. “You ready for the carousel or what?”
    Jane pressed her