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

He said he had spent a year in Vienna in his twenties. He said the book took three phone calls and one Sunday morning trip to Queens.

When he stood to leave, he did not act as if he expected to be invited back.

He simply turned to Kora and asked, “If I write to you, will you read it?”

Kora pressed her thumbnail to her finger.

“Yes.”

After he left, Amelia continue reading …