HE TOOK HIS FIANCÉE TO HIS POOR HOMETOWN TO TEST HER—BUT THE PAPER SHE HANDED HIM LEFT HIM TOO ASHAMED TO MEET HER EYES

they became urgent enough, and convinced himself that was what love looked like. Yet Lucia, who was not even part of the family yet, had called every Sunday.

“What did you talk about?” he asked, though part of him dreaded hearing the answer.

Lucia glanced around the modest home. “Everything. Her garden. Her blood pressure. The stories about you chasing continue reading …