“What’s this?” Violet’s stoic whisper belied her suddenly thrumming heart.

“Just something I stumbled across online.” He shrugged. “The first time you tried to go, it didn’t work out. I thought you might like to try again.”

Violet put her fingers to her lips and scanned the page, reading each detail regarding the weeklong trip to the Florida Keys to study tropical birds in their natural habitats and migration patterns. There’d be boat rides and nice hotels, seaside dining and time to sightsee.

“I know it’s not the same as your field study, but I thought this would at least get you to the Keys. I remember you saying it was somewhere you’d always wanted to go but never thought you’d have a chance to visit.”

Violet lifted her eyes to Frank’s smiling face. “You know why I couldn’t go on that trip, don’t you? I wanted to go so bad, but I couldn’t leave Trudy. She was so fragile then. So broken.”

“My dear, so were you. But you’re not anymore.”

“I’m not. I feel stronger than ever.”

Frank grinned, his whiskery cheeks lifting and reminding Violet of long-ago, sun-soaked days. He took her hand again and pressed the back of her fingers to his soft mouth, setting her skin on fire. “I was thinking I might come along too. If you think that’s a good idea.”

Violet laughed. “I’d like that very much.”

He put a finger under her chin. “I’m so very glad you walked back into my life.”

She leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to his. Past met present in a shower of memories and old dreams. She put a hand on his chest and felt his beating heart under her fingertips. “Actually, you walked back into mine,” she whispered against his lips.

For much of her life Violet thought she’d never be free—from her duty-bound promise to her mother, from Jay’s menace and tyranny, from the memories that were like shackles on her wrists. But now, with her sister’s courage, her own surprising sturdiness, and this man’s persistent devotion, freedom danced along her skin like a kiss, warming the blood in her veins.

Violet sat back against the swing and leaned her head against Frank’s shoulder, his arm holding her close. He sighed, a gentle rumble that passed through his body and into hers, settling her like feet on firm sand. She gazed out at the water, the place that held both secrets and salvation, mystery and mercy. Then she closed her eyes and breathed the mild, river-scented air deep into her soul.