A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Calliope and Silas arrived at the old house in no time. It wasn't a mansion, but it was big-sprawling, really-with a huge yard out front. Just looking at it, you could tell the family had done well for themselves.

Calliope hadn't been back in years. Ever since Grandpa Kermit passed away, she and her foster brothers barely visited anymore.

But the folks in the town had always been kind. Even when no one from the family was around, they'd take turns coming over, sweeping the porch, and keeping the

place up.

It was obvious, too. Even though no one had lived here in so long, the yard was spotless-not a single weed in sight. The young saplings she remembered had grown tall, and the garden was bursting with life, as if someone still lived here year-round.

Silas trailed behind Calliope, taking it all in.

"So this is where you grew up?" he asked, glancing around like he was picturing little Calliope darting around the yard. She definitely didn't strike him as the quiet, well-behaved type-no, she had "wild child" written all over her.

"Yeah." Calliope smiled. "Pretty nice, isn't it?"

As she spoke, her eyes landed on the big old oak tree by the porch. Hanging from a sturdy branch was a wooden swing, swaying slightly in the breeze. Just seeing

her eyes sting with

had built that swing just for her. He'd doted on her endlessly. Even though her parents had abandoned

swing my grandpa made for me.

over and

bit of damage. It felt a little small under her now, but as a child, this had been her throne.

on the swing, and they'd push her so high she felt

every

nearly have a heart attack-he'd grab a switch and chase the

and whenever she ran to "protect" them, they'd turn around

much this place meant to Calliope. She loved it here. What she

could have helped, not really. That sense of helplessness had haunted her for years,

she'd finally come to terms with it.

the yard, they headed

Calliope remembered, barely changed since

was spotless-no dust anyone