pulled into the gravel driveway of a small, sage-green bungalow. The paint was peeling near th

. He didn't get out. He sat there, his hands still

at the large oak tree in the front yard. Its branches were bare, reaching toward the sk

its voice deep and slow, like the grind

ction. She gave a tiny, almost

el and turned in his seat to face her. His exp

something. There's someone else inside. Caitlin. She

mfort she had felt from the oak t

so angry at Conrad, so focused on getting you out of there, that I... I didn't call Caitlin to tell her we were coming. My phone was dead a

at, her arms wrapping around her torso. Her voice was a tiny,

m catching on her tangled hair. "No, Izzy. Caitlin is a good person. She has a big heart.

ll fisted in the flannel jacket, ho

the truck, walked around to

t bent inward, brushing against her ankles. A chorus of tiny, whispering

her. She took a shaky breath, the tight

gile in his grip. He walked her up the por

hung on the door. Through the screen door, Izzy could sme

. He looked down at her,

chin. She didn't want to make Bryan look bad. She would be go

the door and

m voice, tinged with annoyance. "It's about time. Dinner's been re

he doorway, his hand gripping Izzy's so

ds on a dish towel. She was a sturdy woman with k

n to the small, dirty girl clinging to his leg. The smi

ned-the too-big jacket, the grime on her skin, the hollow cheek

mething cold. She thought she understood. A husband's s

d, her voice flat and hard,

a placating gesture. "This is Izzy. Conrad's daughter. My niece. They threw

hated Conrad. She hated everything about th

eyes thawed slightly, but the suspicion remain

nd they don't want he

Izzy stared at the floor

ce trembling with suppressed anger. "Without asking me. W

orry. But please, Cait. Just give her a chance.

ure, the way she was trying to make herself disappear. It tugged at some

er heel and walked back into the kitchen. "I'll

wasn't a door slamming in he