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

and Liam second.

About arriving three hours too late.

About a watch he could not wear and could not put away.

Kora did not make a speech.

She put her hand flat on his shoulder.

“All right,” she said softly.

He rested his forehead briefly against her ribs.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Yes,” she answered.

Then Cordelia Donovan came to the studio.

She arrived in a pale continue reading …