Under the articles were two pictures. The first she recognized as her grandfather; the other was a man she didn’t know. Both men were dressed in Air Force uniforms. Her grandfather had served in the Second World War for three years before returning home to marry her grandmother within six months, and Sarah’s uncle was born months later. Her grandmother had always talked about Martin Lewis’s bravery and how he’d won medals for his courage, but Sarah had never met her grandfather, as he’d died two years before she was born. Dove had never remarried, and as far as Sarah knew, she hadn’t even dated after that. She always thought it was sad that her grandma had spent the rest of her life alone, but the older woman had always insisted that you only find true love once.

She laid the photos aside and squinted to read the first entry in the journal.

Dec 5, 1941

Dear Jack,

Jack? The other man in the photos?

We said our goodbyes last night, and I’ve yet found a reason to smile. The United States joining this war has already caused my heart to break. I admire your courage and strength, my dear Jack, but I am angry and scared. Angry that you have left and scared that you won’t return. I have no way to contact you. I have no idea where in this world you are, so I will write to you in this journal, until someday I can give it to you.

This violence overtaking the world is cruel and senseless and I wish no part in it. But I have no choice—the biggest part of me, my heart, is with you. Fly safe, my love. Be safe. And come home to me.

Dove

Sarah sat blinking, staring at her grandmother’s script handwriting on the yellowed page. Then her gaze moved to the picture of the unknown man.

Jack? Her grandmother had called him my love.

Holy shit.

She picked up the pictures, along with the news clippings, and closed the book quickly, a shiver dancing down her spine. Dove had never mentioned a Jack. Ever. She’d been right about her grandmother having secrets, and this journal obviously held her grandmother’s confessions.

Sarah opened the bedside drawer and put the journal inside, unsure if she’d read anymore. What she already had had shaken her.

You only find true love once.

Sarah had always assumed her grandma had been talking about her grandfather.

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

His in-laws’ house was like taking a step back in time. And not entirely in a good way. Their older bungalow near the highway stretching along the coast was a museum of the past. His past. And Kelly’s.