“For a moment, I thought I was going to be denied the pleasure of your company.” Everett stood there with a beaming smile.

Rachel grinned and gave her uncle a giant hug.

As they broke apart, Rachel’s eyes welled up with all the emotions that had been bubbling under the surface the past few days: sadness, frustration, and a melting heart all rolled into one big mess.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Everett asked as Rachel wiped her eyes.

“Everything. Nothing.” She hugged him again. “I’m just really happy to see you.”

Rachel had always treasured the relationship with her father’s brother. She could talk to him about things she had difficulty bringing up to either of her parents. Everett knew about her struggles with hard science and he’d patiently helped her study until she passed with flying colors. She had told him about Teddy Chapman, the first boy who’d ever tried to kiss her, and he had sworn not to tell his brother, knowing her father might court-martial the lad. (She’d lost track of Teddy over the years—the last she heard he’d been living with a lovely chap named Ralph in Bath, much to her amusement and chagrin.)

Even during the estrangement with her father, Rachel had remained in close contact with her uncle. On more than one occasion, Everett had urged her to make peace with his brother—but also knew better than to push the issue.

Now, he ushered Rachel inside the tiny foyer and hung up her coat.

“You and your father have had quite the few days.”

“Tell me about it,” Rachel said. “I’d no idea you were coming here today.”

“Austin called me shortly after you left to go see Mattie last night.”

Rachel breathed a sigh of relief, realizing her father had bought the story she’d pulled out of thin air the previous evening.

“He told me the news about Sergeant Hawley,” Everett continued. “Such a tragedy. This entire mess seems to be spinning out of control.”

“I can’t imagine how it could get much worse.”

“Well, numbers eight, nine, and ten for starters.”

“Heaven forbid.”

“Your father wanted me to know about the sergeant before I saw it on the news. I said I’d come right over, but he told me he really wanted to be alone.”

“He said the same to me. It’s why I ended up going off to see Mattie.”

Everett nodded. “So, I insisted on the three of us having breakfast instead.”

“I’m so glad you did.”

“What else is family for but to be there in times of need?”