“
Are you ready darling?" The woman extended an olive hand to me, and her smile—it was as warm as I'd always dreamed it. As warm as this summer night.
"That boy is asking after you again," the man said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Etienne."
Butterflies erupted at the name.
Unbidden, my feet drifted toward them, my lips lifting in a smile. I couldn't help one last look, however—at Lou, at Reid, at Coco, at Beau. They milled around the pear trees, feeling each trunk, testing the leaves. Laughing at themselves with Terrance and Liana and Maron.
If you plant them—if you care for them—they will grow.
My smile widened. Madame Sauvage had vanished, leaving them to life anew.
Taking my mother's hand, I did too.
”
”