“It’s not the kind of thing any of us wanted to tell you in a letter, but let’s just say that we all hoped with your mother’s request for you to come—and our faith in Paulina’s sense about such things—that you would come home. And you have.” He finally turned to look at her and added with solemnity, “You are such a strength to Kat; she loves you and admires you so very much. Your presence with her will help to keep her spirits up, and that will help all of us. You’re a strength to all of us, Amala—more than you will ever know. Even from a distance you have buoyed up your parents and your sister. I’ve seen how they light up when they talk about you and how your letters became the highlight of their lives. You need to know how your strength and courage are needed here, but at the same time you need to know that you don’t have to be strong all the time. This is at least as difficult for you as it is for anyone else, and it’s all right to admit that.”

“You sound as if you know me so well,” she said in a tone that was a sore attempt to lighten the mood.

“Don’t I?”

“As I know you,” she said.

“Yes, you do.”

Amala sighed and asked a question she’d always worried about—ever since she’d received word that Henry and Kat were getting married. “Does she know . . . about us?”

“I never told her,” he said. “It’s in the past, and I believe you and I are both strong enough—and wise enough—to leave it there. But I never wanted Kat to have to wonder if I still carried those kind of feelings for you.”

Amala didn’t even have to ask if he did; she only had to look into his eyes to see that his love and devotion were centered wholly on Kat—as they should be. She was grateful, however, that they were comfortable enough with each other as friends to be able to talk as they were now.

“I agree,” Amala said. “It’s better that she doesn’t know.”

“Paulina knows?” Henry asked, and she wondered how long he’d wanted to ask her that question.

“Yes, she knows everything, but she would never break my confidence.”

“I’m not worried about that,” Henry said. “And just so you know . . . because I think it has to be said . . . I do sincerely believe now that this is how things were meant to turn out. This is what’s best—for everyone.”