evil had once presided over it, now new people were moving in. The town was growing, though slowly. Some were still apprehensive to begin a life in a place that held so much tragic history. In ways both big and small though, the remaining citizens were reinventing their town, and he loved what it was becoming. Scarlett’s business was helping in that effort. It brought traffic, tourism, happy events. It was a small slice of heaven in what had once been the midst of hell.
Ruby Sugar. Right there at Lilith House. Kandace would have liked that. She would have liked that a lot. Her daughter grew more beautiful by the day and despite the grief of losing the woman who’d raised her, Millie was thriving. She was an integral part of their newly-formed family.
They’d found something else among the proof of who their mothers were that Kandace had smuggled out of Lilith House. The proof that had it not been for her, would have never come to light. A letter, dried blood staining the edges of the piece of paper, had been placed inside the bag later, one penned in Kandace’s own shaky hand. Last words that had probably been written as Kandace lay moments from death after just having delivered Amelia in a cave on the side of a cliff. A cliff where an ancient midwife had made a perilous climb and attended Kandace in her final moments. She had not died alone.
Dreamboat,
I tried. I tried so hard. Somehow, a boy who looks just like you carried me. He’s strong and gentle. He saved me. They both saved my baby. She’s beautiful, tiny but perfect. I wish I could tell you everything. I wish I could know my daughter. I wish. But I’m fading now. I did all I could. I hope you know that someday.
Promise me you won’t stop being brave. No matter what, promise me you won’t hide your heart, even if that seems like the easier thing to do.
You’re stronger than you think. That’s what Scarlett told me and she was right. She was right about me, and I’m right about you.
You’re stronger than you think.
Forever,
Kandace
Is anything forever?
He’d once asked his wife that very question. Kandace’s final words had helped him find the answer. Love. Human resilience. The power of grace over condemnation. The God-given ability that resides in every human heart to distinguish right from wrong, truth from falsehood, and love from pain.
Camden’s life was overflowing with love. In two beautiful girls who were his daughters by heart. The unexpected brother who had lived through multiple tragedies yet still laughed. Loved. A wife whose heart was simply and undeniably heavenly. Matchless.
It was all around him, every single place he turned. Forever.
Acknowledgments
This is the twenty-first acknowledgments page I’ve written, and finding the right words to express gratitude to those who helped me tell a story never comes easier. I couldn’t have arrived at this point without:
Angela Smith and Marion Archer who tell me gently what needs to be better, and then provide specifics on how I might do that. Many a plot hole are filled because of them.
Karen Lawson who polishes my final manuscript until it’s shiny and Sharon Broom who ties it up with a bow.
Ashley Brinkman, JoAnna Koller, and Elena Eckmeyer who offered up their valuable time to read my first draft and provide beta feedback.
My agent, Kimberly Brower. There are lists and lists of things I could not do without you.
My reader group, Mia’s Mafia for your love and enthusiasm for my stories, even the strange ones.
And to all the readers, blogs, Instagrammers, and book clubs, who review, recommend and support my books—my appreciation is unending.
To my husband who reads my work with a critical eye and a loving heart. I am so incredibly lucky to have you as my partner in all things. Forever.
About the Author
Mia Sheridan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. Her passion is weaving true love stories about people destined to be together. Mia lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband. They have four children here on earth and one in heaven. Her works include the Sign of Love collection (Leo, Leo’s Chance, Stinger, Archer’s Voice, Becoming Calder, Finding Eden, Kyland, Grayson’s Vow, Midnight Lily, Ramsay, Preston’s Honor, Dane’s Storm, and Brant’s Return), the standalone romance novels, The Wish Collector, and Savaged, and the romantic suspense duet, Where the Blame Lies, and Where the Truth Lives.
The standalone romance novels, Most of All You, and More Than Words, published via Grand Central Publishing, are available online and in bookstores.