“No, you may not throw the oranges.”

“Can I throw just…” The little girl held up a lone finger. “Can I throw just…one orange?”

“Maybe one. If you walk.”

“I walk.”

Luke watched them go. “Cute kid. Got a couple of my own that age.”

“I know.”

Luke was momentarily thrown off-kilter. “Bram told you?”

“Yes. And I met your son at the memorial service.”

“Oh…oh yes, that.” Luke looked away. “I’ve been going through my brother’s things…I came across this.”

He reached into his jacket, pulled out a small wrapped package and an envelope. He handed them to Rina. “These were meant for you.”

Rina fingered the envelope, noticed the gum seal had been broken. “It’s been opened.”

“I opened it,” Luke said. “To see who it belonged to.”

Rina smiled softly. “Of course. That makes sense.”

He closed his eyes and opened them. “Actually, I did more than just read the name, Mrs. Decker. I read the entire card. I shouldn’t have, but I did.”

Rina took out the card and scanned Bram’s compact writing. Dated years ago. It had been written while he’d been in residence in Rome right before he was due to be ordained. Obviously, he had nixed the idea of sending the card. She wondered why he had kept it. Whatever the reason, she was glad he hadn’t thrown it away.

Emotional words, filling her soul with a bottomless ache. Too much to absorb in front of a stranger. She’d reread it carefully when she was alone, able to break down in private.

“It was a personal note.”

“I know. I apologize. I was just so…shocked. I never thought of my brother as an emotional being, much less being in love.”

Rina looked at him, said nothing.

“To tell you the truth, I’m not sorry I read it. Because it made me feel good…to think that Bram had experienced love and passion and fire and all that good stuff.”

He looked at her.

“I hope his feelings were reciprocated.”

Rina rubbed her wet eyes. “Thank you for bringing this over. It means a lot to me.”

“Does it?”

“You couldn’t possibly know how much.”

Luke stared at her. “Enough said then. I won’t pry.”

“Thank you.”

He paused, then said, “Do you know I was very jealous of your husband?”

“Jealous of Peter?”

“No, your first husband,” Luke said. “Bram and I had had a falling-out, weren’t talking much when he had hooked up with Isaac. I always felt we would have gotten back together sooner if your husband hadn’t gotten in the way. Because Bram loved him like a brother.”

“They were very close.”

“Anyway…” Luke clapped his hands. “I’m sure Bram would have wanted you to have the package. Even if it’s late.”

“Thank you.”

Luke bit a nail. “Pooch is his kid, you know.”