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

made her decide at twenty-three that she would translate for a living.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You’re welcome.”

When Amelia returned with tea, she behaved as if the whole thing had been arranged a week earlier.

Liam stayed for half a cup.

He answered Amelia’s questions easily enough, but he did not say much about his work. He said he had grown up in Boston.continue reading …