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

when a trusted friend moved a chair.

Liam listened.

He laughed only twice, small private laughs, as if he did not have many to spare and spent them carefully.

He did not check his watch.

He did not pull out his phone.

Then he asked about her father.

Kora told him.

The high school music teacher.

The town two hours north.

The Bartók lullaby at every wedding.

The continue reading …