Susannah waited for me at the porch rail with Sam at her side, as always. With eyes wildly scanning for Penny, they quickly knew the outcome of our voyage, and I felt again the weight of their dashed hopes. I mounted the steps and grasped her into my arms, running my hand over the great swell of her belly. Her body had changed so much in the weeks I had been away, and it saddened me I had not been with her to witness it. To watch our child grow. ‘Forgive us another failure.’
Her eyes brimmed. ‘I’m just grateful to all of you for keeping going the way you have.’ She glanced at Noah and Hal.
How are you, cara mia?’ I kissed her. ‘Christ, I’ve missed you so much.’
cara mia‘And I you, my love.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘You need to bathe, though.’
I grinned. ‘I do. We all do. Pearl will have
