Every moment couldn’t be occupied with talks about the past or filled with fear-laden conversations.
Caleb waited until everyone had finished eating before shifting the subject. “Millie, can we talk for a few minutes? We still need to finish intake.”
“I’ll handle the dishes,” Naomi said.
Millie nodded, though there was a touch of hesitation in her gaze. “Sure thing.”
He led her down the hall to a small office tucked beside the stairs. Just like every room in the house, Sarah had given this space her special touch. Instead of looking utilitarian, the office appeared warm and inviting.
A solid wood desk anchored the room, paired with two upholstered chairs. Open shelving lined one wall, holding neatly labeled binders and woven baskets instead of clutter. A framed print of the Blue Ridge Mountains hung above the desk, flanked by simple black-and-white photographs.
Everything felt intentional. Just like Sarah had been—purposeful.
Millie stopped near a bookshelf displaying family photos.
Caleb watched as she scanned the pictures.
She picked up a shot of Naomi seated at a sidewalk café in New York City with a coffee in front of her. She looked sophisticated and serious. Smart but reserved.
“She hasn’t changed much since I met her,” Millie said.
Caleb nodded. “Naomi’s always been the steady one.”
Her attention shifted to the next frame, and Caleb’s gaze followed. This photo was of a man crouched beside a chestnut-colored search-and-rescue retriever. Snow clung to both of them as his arm wrapped easily around the animal’s shoulders.
“That must be Wyatt,” Millie murmured. “He looks like he belongs out in nature with his dog.”
Wyatt was the youngest brother in the family, and he’d known since he was a kid that he wanted to work with dogs.
“He lives the next county over and does K9 search and rescue. He leads camping trips, works with scouts, does some mountain climbing—anything outdoors.”
Millie moved on to the next photo. Recognition softened her voice. “This has to be Rowan. You always said the camera loved her. You were right.”
Caleb chuckled softly as he stared at the picture of his youngest sister. “The camera still loves her. She never gave up on her dreams and moved to Hollywood. Acting was the one thing she never wavered on.”
“I sawA Love So Sweetwhen it came on TV. She did a really great job, and I know she had to be thrilled to get the lead role.”
“She was. We’re all very proud of her. We just want her to come home more often.” Since Rowan had left for California to pursue her dreams, she’d rarely had time to visit. Part of Calebunderstood, but the other part wished he could have his little sister back. He missed having her around.
The next photo was of a broad-shouldered man standing next to a half-built structure, tool belt slung low on his hips, sleeves rolled up as if he’d stepped away mid-job.
“That’s our oldest brother, Luke,” Caleb added. “He’s a contractor outside of Charlottesville. He’s the one who turns ideas into something that actually stands.”
Millie smiled faintly. “I remember you saying your family never did anything small.”
Caleb’s mouth curved, just barely. “We don’t.”
Then she picked up Sarah’s photo. Sarah with her long brown hair, tanned skin, and wide smile. In the photo, she stood in front of the house right after she’d moved in. She’d seemed so happy.
Then her gaze skimmed Caleb’s photo—one of him wearing military garb.
There were other photos also—older photos that were faded at the edges.
His mother smiled back in those images, her arms looped around Caleb and his siblings when they’d been younger. Her expression seemed to indicate that she held the world together—because in many ways, she did. Beside her, Caleb’s father stood tall in hunting gear, his presence solid and unassuming.
His father had died in a hunting accident when Caleb was twelve.
Caleb gestured to the chair across from his desk. “You’ll probably see most of my siblings at some point. This started as a family effort—the idea, the work. Naomi and I are just the ones here full-time right now.”
