“Yes, and she became my best friend for a time.”

“She reported that to me, let me know you were doing well,”

Shallie had to clear her throat before she could continue what she needed to say. “I think you know that Cord has a daughter by Reba. Eddie told you that, right?”

Christine nodded.

“Her name is Charlotte but she goes by Carly. And… Reba died two years ago.”

Christine hid her face in both hands. “Eddie mentioned that, too. I can’t get over it.”

“We’re all still sad about Reba,” Shallie said gently. “But we both love Carly.”

Christine nodded. “I look forward to meeting my granddaughter.”

“I tried to contact Della about…oh, fifteen years ago,” Christine went on, “with a message for you. A bit indirect, but I was still afraid to be too explicit… I assume you didn’t hear about that, either? My postcard?”

“No, but I’d already left by then.” She looked at Christine curiously. “How did you end up in Key West? Oh—and again it was Russ who unearthed that postcard. He found it in a book about Florida.”

Christine nodded. “I had the book shipped to her.”

“That explains it.”

“I left Orlando because I had another scare. I thought I saw one of Kevin’s…associates. I went west for a while, then came back to Florida.” She lifted her shoulders. “I just like it there. I decided to try Key West, see if I could find a job. I did, as a server in a bar. That’s where I eventually met Doug.”

“He seems nice.”

“He’s wonderful. Older than I am—obviously. A widower, no kids. And he has enough money that I no longer have to work. He also trusted me from the start. I explained my complicated history, which he accepted without question, and I began using my real name again. We’re happy together.”

“I’m glad.” And she was. “How exactly did Tony find you?”

“He had an age-progressed photo of me—one of the group of photos Russell found—and started by asking in the local bars. Lo and behold…”

“Good detective work,” Shallie said, smiling.

After a moment, Christine asked, “Can you ever forgive me, my sweet Shallie?”

“Yes. I already have.” She felt no hesitation in saying that. “I’m just so happy to have you back in my life.”

“I am, too! And I refuse to waste another second, another day. I don’t think, at Doug’s age, that we can move here, but I’ll visit, have you come to us, keep in constant touch.”