Kate bit back a sob when she realized she was going to have to be the one to tell her. She took the girl by the hand and then looked over at the small crowd by the car. She gave Barnes a little nod and then looked down at Mercy.

Lets take a little walk, she said.

Mercy nodded, and the look in her eyes told Kate that she already knew what was coming. But she walked with Kate anyway, up the little driveway. They walked hand-in-hand as Mercy Fuller slowly but surely learned the true history of her life.

***

Kate got the text eight days later. She was huddled up under a blanket on the back porch of a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains when it came in. Allen was beside her, an arm draped around her waist. Somewhere below them, a vineyard wound its way through the valleys as the sun started to set behind the peaks around them.

The text was from Barnes, notifying her that Mercy Fuller had been placed in the care of the state of Virginia and had already been placed into a foster home. He also let her know that the family that was taking Mercy in had a track record for treating their foster kids exceptionally well. In fact, they had taken Mercy in because they had just sent their previous foster kid off to college.

She read the message and smiled. She then set the phone down and snuggled up next to Allen. The plan was to watch the sunset out on the back porch and then, if their backs and knees (and the chilly mountain temperature) allowed, to make love under the blankets.

Good news? Allen asked, noticing her smile.

Very good. Mercy found a good home. I think shes going to be okay.

Thats fantastic news, he said.

Shes also going to meet with Katherine Sanders…her biological sister.

Kate smiled and looked up at the sun, slowly sinking behind the mountains. An entire spectrum of gold and oranges and light pinks had started to filter through the atmosphere, highlighted along the mountain peaks.

Good news seemed to be trending. Just yesterday, Kate had gone to the doctor with Melissa. Little Michelle had undergone some more tests and had come out absolutely fine. The indicators of the cancer they had feared just two weeks ago were now nowhere to be seen. There would be a follow-up test in six weeks but after that, the scare would be over and they would be out of the woods.

You know, Allen said, I know that what happened in that barn did something to you. Youre different. Not distant…not really. But theres something. Maybe we need to talk about it before we head back home?