THE EMPTY CHAIR AT HER SISTER’S WEDDING WAS SUPPOSED TO PROVE HER FIANCÉ HAD LEFT HER—BUT WHEN A QUIET STRANGER SAT BESIDE HER, KORA NEVER IMAGINED HE OWNED THE HOTEL, OR THAT HIS FAMILY WAS ALREADY PLANNING THE MARRIAGE THAT COULD DESTROY THEM BOTH

expert suspicion of a woman who had worked in literary publishing long enough to know that trouble often arrived carrying paper.

“The case for me making tea,” Amelia said, “is that we have no other choice.”

Then she disappeared into the back room.

Liam stood opposite Kora, one palm resting flat on the table.

“You didn’t have to,” Kora said.

“I know.”

“I continue reading …