Erin Walker stepped onto the back porch of their Portland home just as the late afternoon sun gilded the horizon. The air smelled of pine and rain-soaked earth. In the yard below, Liam and Luna chased one another across the grass, their laughter bright and unburdened. Erin paused to watch them, the light in their eyes reflecting her own hard-won peace.
A figure emerged from the side gate: Ben Carter, carrying two paper bags. He nodded and approached with easy confidence.
“Hey," he called softly. “Thought you might like snacks."
Erin smiled, accepting the bags. “You read my mind. I've been inside all day, drafting some lesson plans for the twins' first week of school."
Ben set the bags on the porch railing and pulled out two sandwiches wrapped in foil. “Here—turkey and avocado. The twin
