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

made her eyes sting

endlessly. Even though her parents had abandoned her, she was always happy here, thanks to

for me. With his own

and sat on the

shape, not a scratch or bit of damage. It felt a little small under her now, but as a child, this had been her throne. She'd spend hours here, and her

her so high she felt like she was flying.

every time

have a heart attack-he'd grab a switch and chase the boys around, convinced they were trying to get

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

tell how much this place meant to Calliope. She loved it here. What she missed most,

a shame he was gone. She'd tried everything to save him, but no one could have helped, not really. That sense of helplessness had haunted her for

finally come to terms

exploring the yard, they headed

almost exactly the way Calliope remembered, barely changed since she'd

was spotless-no dust anyone