*Alex*

Chloe lingered at the edge of the front porch, one hand clinging to a support post as she sought to keep herself from being pulled back inside the house. I knew the feeling. I held onto the steel railing beside the steps for a similar reason.

It seemed like neither one of us wanted to part.

“Sylvia and the others will be back soon,” I said gently, giving her a smile. It made my heart ache to see her so upset. “I should get ...