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

haven’t been by the hotel.”

“I noticed.”

“You didn’t need to come here.”

“I’m here because I read the Kalmar piece you published in the Massachusetts Review in March, and I wanted to give you this in person rather than send it. It is for you to keep or refuse.”

“What is it?”

“Open it.”

Kora opened the package.

Inside was a thin paperback, faded sage green,continue reading …