Footsteps approached.
“Move.”
William stepped aside.
And Caleb walked onto the porch.
He looked exhausted.
Hollow.
Like he hadn’t slept properly in weeks.
But it was him.
The same curls.
The same chin.
The same mismatched eyes Nora had inherited.
I had rehearsed so many things I would say if I ever saw him again.
Every one disappeared.
Finally, I asked,
“How long did you know who I was?”
He didn’t pretend not to understand.
“From the bookstore.”
My stomach tightened.
“So you found me on purpose.”
“I saw your name on the event listing.”
His voice shook.
“Then I walked in and saw you.”
He looked at me.
“You had Sarah’s face.”
“The red bicycle.”
He dropped his gaze.
“All those questions you asked me about my childhood. You already knew the answers.”
“Yes.”
“For two years?”
“Emily, I wanted to tell you.”
“But you didn’t.”
“I was afraid.”
“
