“I haven’t a clue. But what a wedding present.”

Pressure built behind Christi’s eyes. “Oh, Jack. I can’t believe this place is going to be ours. Forever.”

“It seems too good to be true—but I feel the same way about you and me being together for always too . . . and that says it’s real.” He touched the diamond-encrusted band on the fourth finger of her left hand.

“And that says the house deal is too.” She nodded toward the letter, then smoothed a hand over the white wrapping paper on the package in her lap. “I wonder what this is?”

“Let’s find out.”

She worked the tape loose and pulled the paper and bubble wrap free to reveal a sea glass mosaic heart set on a clear glass background in a hexagon driftwood frame.

“Ohhhh.” Christi traced a finger over the pieces of colorful glass, similar to the ones in the front door sidelights but even more translucent. “This is beautiful.”

“There’s a note.” Jack pulled an envelope from the wrapping paper. “And it’s been opened.” He bowed it, and the top gapped. “Look how it’s addressed.” He held it up.

To the future owners of this cottage.

She took it and removed the handwritten note inside, angling sideways so Jack could see it too.

If you’re reading this, you’ve purchased the home where I’d hoped to live out my retirement with my beloved wife, Kristen. But that was not in God’s plan. He called her home before the cottage was finished, and I had no heart to complete the job—or live here without her by my side. Yet I couldn’t part with this property, which was filled with our dreams. So I locked the door and walked away.

I made this suncatcher for Kristen and planned to give it to her the day we moved into the house. On my last visit, I left it here, with this note—where it belongs.

I gift this now to you. Not to make you sad but to encourage you to love this house as much as we did. To fill it with dreams. And to cherish each day you spend in this special place with the people who add sweetness and light and warmth to your days.

God bless you and keep you—always.

John Wright’s signature was at the bottom.

“Check out the date.” Jack’s voice was hushed.

Christi fluttered her lashes to clear her tear-misted vision. Sucked in a breath as the date registered.

Different year, but the same month and day she and Jack had broken up. The day he’d intended to propose.

“That is so strange.” She continued to stare at the date. “Not to mention their names. Versions of ours.”

“It’s almost like you and I were meant to be here together.”