PART 3 The courthouse smelled like wet coats, old paper, and coffee that had been burned for too many hours.

after the ceremony.

“Happy birthday,” he said to the girls.

They hugged him, each in their own way.

Amelia gently.

Grace warmly.

Lily briefly, with evaluation.

Then Bryce looked at Savannah.

“You did well,” he said.

Savannah smiled.

“We did a lot of work.”

He nodded.

“You did most of it.”

That was the first time he had said anything close to the truth without continue reading …