Page 177

“Yes.”

I pick up the pastry bag.

“She wrote them because she was afraid I might forget how much she and Mae loved me.”

Sean goes very still.

I continue before I lose my nerve.

“She wasn't trying to hide things from me. She wasn't keeping some giant secret.”

He nods.

“She wanted me to have memories after she was gone.”

I look at the father I didn't know existed.

“Some of the letters are about you.”

Sean's eyes lock on mine.

Arthur stops reaching toward a turnover.

Taylor and Will both look up.

Hayley freezes beside me.

“What do they say?” Sean asks.

“I don't know.”

His brow furrows.

“I haven't read them yet.”

“Why?”

I think about the backpack sitting miles away at Iron Ridge.

Three hundred and twelve letters.

Some opened.

Many still sealed.

“I was saving them.”

“For what?”

“I don't know.”

Maybe I do now.

I look at Sean.

Then Hayley.

“I think maybe I was saving them until I found both of you.”