We stood at the porch rail watching Noah and Hal use the oars until the wind filled the sail and Noah moved to the tiller. How ironic we two should be left behind when the search for our daughter finally began. We watched until the little boat rounded the headland, hard to see in the glare off the water, though I thought I could still make out the gleam of Raphael’s black hair. I kissed my fingertip and turned it towards him just before the boat went out of sight.
Sam sighed, glancing at me. ‘What can I do for you, Sukie? Will you rest in your chamber for a while?’
I grasped his hand. ‘No. I’ll stay with you.’ We returned to the sofa at the back of the porch and sat close together in silence for a while. I looked around, truly taking in my surroundings for the first time. A mismatched gr
