Once, she had cherished the moments she found herself alone with her mom, the only child in the room for a few moments, and the way they’d talked. It was only with dissatisfaction that true resentment had set in.

“I miss them too, Mom,” she said, voice shaky.

Her first alarm went off then, and they both jumped.

“Hey, I don’t suppose you wanna drive me to the airport and I’ll tell you all about New Orleans?”

Her mother leaned in, conspiratorial. “Only if you’ll also tell me about this Carys you’re in love with.”

Greta smiled, the word Carys enough to lift her heart like a balloon.

“I think I could probably handle that.”

Chapter 30

Greta

Three weeks ago, when Greta had stepped out of the car on Royal Street in the Marigny, she’d been running away. She’d thought she was running away from her family, and it had been the catalyst. But she had really been running away from the feeling that she felt powerless to decide the course of her life.

Now, she was running toward something.

Toward the place she wanted. The life she wanted. The person she wanted to share it with.

After a quick shower and a walk with Horse, Greta headed over to Carys’ and found her in the backyard, feeding Teacup mini carrots and familiar pink sugar cubes.

The scene was magical and absurd and so beautiful that Greta felt her heart swell. “You’re so lovely and amazing,” she said to Carys.

At least that was what she began to say. She only got out “You’re” before Carys shrieked and spun around, clutching her chest. Greta had not only startled Carys, she’d also startled Teacup, who let out what Greta had heard described in books as a whinny but sounded more like the baleful shriek of some creature Carys would describe on her haunted tours.

“Aw, baby, I’m so sorry,” Greta said when Carys and Teacup were no longer in fear for their lives. “I missed you.”

She wrapped Carys in her arms and felt instantly at home. Carys’ body, her smell, her very being made everything in Greta feel at peace.

“I missed you too.” Carys sounded almost surprised to hear herself say it.

Greta had talked with Carys at the airport about everything that had happened with her family, but she’d wanted to see her in person when she told her the rest.

“Can we go inside?”

They gave Teacup the last carrot and many caresses and scratches, then settled on Carys’ bed beneath the painting of Carys riding Teacup. It looked so much like the scene she’d walked in on earlier that Greta grinned.