Searching For- — Stepmom S Gardener Surprise In-a...

Inside: a stack of letters, yellowed with age, tied with a faded blue ribbon. And on top, a photograph of a young woman who looked exactly like Mara.

“Where is she now?” Mara asked.

Celeste stepped out of the shadows, her silk robe cinched tight, her face unreadable. “I wondered how long it would take you,” she said to Mara. Then she looked at Leo. “And you. The little librarian who couldn’t stop searching.” Searching for- Stepmom s Gardener Surprise in-A...

“I know.” Celeste’s eyes glistened. “She came looking for you. I told her you’d moved abroad. I was… jealous. She had a daughter. I had empty rooms and a husband who didn’t love me.” She looked at Leo. “No offense to your father.” Inside: a stack of letters, yellowed with age,