" NOA DE COURSEY ever married?" He couldn't help but conceal the surprise from his expression.

"Surprised me too." She smiled unexpectedly and looked so much like she used to that THEO's mouth went dry with longing. "Last year, nearly a full year after you'd left, he very unexpectedly announced that he was getting married. I know I'd been in not very good condition and not very focused on what was occurring around me at the time, but NOA, who'd been a regular and worrying guest and pal had never even mentioned bringing someone he was serious enough about to marry."

THEO was so immersed in absorbing the strange and...