AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF the trunk I found a tiny drawstring bag. Setting aside the clothes I'd sorted through, I reached for the bag and sat back against the trunk while I worked at the knot in the drawstring. Untangling the cord, the thick fabric opened and I tipped the contents out on my palm and felt my breath catch.

The green tourmaline winked in the light from the windows and the diamonds sparkled as the thin silver chain threaded through the ring slipped over my wrist. A ...