Eleanor had wondered if she might run inton at the airport, but to her relief, he wasn''t on her flight.


    Back in Ashford City, the first thing she did was pick up her daughter and bring her home. Gina Quinn used to invite Eleanor over for dinner with the Goodwin family, but over time, she''d realized that no matter how many times she asked, Eleanor was never going to say yes.


    "Evelyn, say goodbye to your grandma."


    "Bye, Grandma!" Evelyn called out. After three days away, she was clearly missing her mom.


    That evening, Joslyn cooked a hearty dinner. The gifts Eleanor had brought home were already waiting, and Evelyn twirled around the living room, hugging them in delight.


    "Thank you, Mommy! I love you the most," Evelyn beamed, puckering her lips for a kiss.


    Eleanor knelt down, offering her cheek, and Evelyn nted a kiss right on it. For a moment, Eleanor worried her daughter might ask aboutn, but as bedtime came and went without any mention of him, she finally allowed herself to rx.


    Eleanor''s birthday wasing up next week, December first. She decided to keep it simple this year and invite a few friends out to celebrate.


    The next morning, after dropping Evelyn off at school, Eleanor went straight to theb to share the results of her recent conference trip. Even Joel Kingsley and Faye Yeaton were called back in to hear her report.


    Faye''s eyes flickered with envy-she wished she''d been the one chosen for this opportunity. But by the time she''d heard about it, Eleanor and Dr. Lyman were already gone.


    When the meeting ended, Joel found Eleanor in her office. Smiling, he asked, "So, what are your ns for your birthday next week?"


    Eleanor paused in surprise, thenughed. "How did you know about that, Joel?"


    "Wasn''t hard to find out," he replied with a grin. A quick look at her file was all it took.


    "I''m just going to do something small. You should join us for dinner if you''ve got the time," Eleanor said.


    "I''d love to," Joel replied, eyes crinkling in a smile.


    Later, Eleanor texted Joy Thatcher to invite her as well. Joy wrote back, "I''ll bring my mentor along too!"


    "Perfect! The more the merrier," Eleanor replied.


    That evening at home, Joslyn asked at the dinner table, "Ma''am, are you nning


    to have your birthday celebration here? I can start preparing."


    Evelyn''s head popped up, eyes wide with excitement. "Mommy, when''s your birthday?"


    "Next Wednesday," Eleanor said, ruffling her daughter''s hair.


    "Hooray! I get to celebrate with you!" Evelyn cheered.


    Joslyn remembered how, in the past, Eleanor''s birthdays were always spent at home-if Mr. Sutton was there, he''d join in; if he was away on business, it''d just be Eleanor and Evelyn. But now that Eleanor was working and had made new friends, maybe this year''s celebration would be a little livelier.


    Around eight o''clock, Eleanor''s phone buzzed with a message from Xavier.


    "Is this a good time? Vivian wants to video call with Evelyn."


    Eleanor replied, "Of course! I''ll call you."


    She found Evelyn and handed her the phone. "Vivian wants to talk to you."


    The moment the call connected, Evelyn couldn''t wait to share her news. "Vivian, my mom''s having a birthday soon!"


    Eleanor flushed a little, just as Vivian piped up, "Can I help celebrate Ms. Sutton''s birthday too?"


    Eleanor smiled warmly at the camera. "Of course you can, sweetheart."


    Then Xavier''s deep voice came through, "Mind if Ie with Vivian?"


    Eleanor blinked in surprise. Xavier was there too?


    "Mr. Vaughn, you have toe eat my mom''s birthday cake with us!" Evelyn dered.


    Eleanor chuckled and said, "If you''re free, Mr. Vaughn, you''re more than wee to join us."