Chapter 4

“Write him a letter.”

“What?”

“I know you’re allowed to send letters.”

Writing? Longhand? He held his breath. He could write. It would probably give him a hand cramp, but that way he’d have time to think through what he said instead of blurting out stuff he’d regret later. And should he cry, Doc would be none the wiser. “I love you, Mandi.” 2

Ten to seven, Madoc walked through the door to The Windmill—a somewhat nice restaurant in Courtland. It was the fanciest option they had within an hour’s drive.

Lisa waved from a table in the corner, and he steeled himself before walking over to them.

“Hi.” He smiled, accepted Melissa’s hug, shook Matthew’s hand, grinned at Richard as he clapped him on the shoulder. They were all there—the gang. He tried not to let his wince show.

“Where have you been holing up, old man?” Chad raised a glass of beer from across the table, his arm slung over the shoulders of a tired-looking Dawn.