A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"I can tell I'm not exactly welcome here, so I'll just show myself out." Calliope shrugged, not bothering to hide her annoyance, and headed straight for the door.

"Callie, wait! That's not what we meant!" Monty rushed after her, trying to explain, but Calliope didn't even pause. She didn't look back, didn't say a word, just kept walking until she was gone.

Monty stood in the hallway for a moment, helplessly watching the front door swing shut behind her. There wasn't really anything he could do.

After a minute, he wandered back into the living room.

"At least she finally agreed to do your surgery," he announced, trying to lighten the mood.

He waved a piece of paper at Horatio. "She left us a list of what she needs. Let's get everything ready over the next couple of days and then get this show on the road! Horatio, you're finally going to be up and on your feet again!”

Monty was grinning from ear to ear. Horatio, after all, wasn't getting any younger, and being stuck in a wheelchair made it tough for him at work, sure, but also... well, dating wasn't exactly easy.

There were a few women who'd been interested, but the situation always gave them second thoughts.

Monty imagined that once Horatio was back on his feet, things would change. He'd probably meet someone, settle down, and, who knows, maybe even make Monty a grandpa before too long.

was getting older, Monty found himself thinking about grandkids more

at stake.

me to answer to first!" Zelda narrowed her eyes. "I'm her mother. Even if she doesn't feel

think Calliope would mess things up on purpose," he said. "If she wanted to, she could've just refused to help in the first place. Why go to all this trouble? She's got her own

...

before Calliope made her way back from the Jewell family's house to

stepped inside, she found Silas just

to the Jewells?" Silas asked, glancing over

replied, and walked

really cozy ones that just make you want to curl up. The wool was plush and warm

into him, soaking up the comfort. For a moment, everything else faded

down, his handsome face softer than usual. "What's wrong? You

his sharp features. He really was

murmured, thinking aloud. "I just... I miss my birth mom. I keep wondering where she is, whether she's okay...

met her real mother. Was