A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Silas eyed the envelope in Calliope's hands with obvious curiosity. It was pretty clear-this was one of those things people left behind when they knew their time was running out, and it was meant for her.

He had no idea what the letter said. But judging by the way Calliope was clutching it, it had to be something important.

"Is that the letter your grandpa left you?"

Calliope nodded, looking a little uncertain. Still, she took a deep breath and opened the letter. She handed the old cigar box it came in over to Silas, then started to read.

It was definitely Grandpa Kermit's handwriting. No doubt about it, this was his farewell.

As soon as she started reading, Calliope's expression changed. Shock washed over her face.

he knew he didn't have much time left. He'd said there was a secret he couldn't leave without telling her, a truth he'd kept to himself until

before because he didn't think she was ready. So, he'd left the letter here, in the old farmhouse, knowing she'd eventually come back,

about the past, Kermit got right to the heart of

their favoritism were her real

rest of the

the baby. But the baby was frail, sickly. Kermit did everything he could-doctor after doctor, spending every last dime-but nothing worked. The

woman on the side of the road. She was badly hurt, clutching a baby gir about the same age as the one. Kermit had just lost. He saved her life, and before she left, the woman begged Kermit to care for her daughter. She handed him a wad of cash, the last of her savings, and swore she'd be back to reclaim her child, if she survived whatever trouble she was running

Kermit never heard from the woman again. He searched, asked around, but it was like she'd

empty spot left behind, and eventually ended