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When the car came to a stop, Faith slid out of the car in a trance. The only thing on her mind was meeting Molly. If Molly’s shocked features were anything to go by, Faith would guess Molly knew they were related. “Hi, I’m Faith, Um… I’m your niece.”

“Niece?” Molly gasped. Tears pooling in her eyes. Faith hadn’t known what to expect. How could she? It’s not like she went around meeting long-lost family members every weekend. At the sight of Molly’s tears, Faith’s eyes misted over. For months on end, Faith’s only goal was to find this woman and hope she would keep Faith safe.

The journey hadn’t been that simple, and Faith had met some wonderful and unexpected characters—that she now deemed family—along the way. But even now, after having Carmen, Mateo and Enid looking out for her, Faith’s instinct was to rush to Molly. A woman she didn’t even know, yet pulled her like a magnet. The last vestige of home, running through Molly’s bloodstream.

“I… I’ve been searching for you.” Faith’s brain struggled to form full sentences. There was so much to say and discuss, but the sight of her aunt rendered Faith almost speechless.

Staring at each other, Faith wondered what to do. Should she carry on talking or fall silent, allowing Molly to process what was happening? “Faith,” Molly sobbed, lunging forward, scooping Faith into her arms.

Nothing could have prepared Faith for the tsunami of emotion that overtook her body. Tears flowed freely between the two women. Faith gripped Molly hard, scared that if she left any amount of space between them, Molly would slip away.

“I didn’t know,” Molly cried. “I didn’t know you existed. I’m so sorry.”

Faith shook her head against Molly’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”

Minutes passed with neither woman willing to let go. Only when a hand landed on Faith’s back did the hug break apart. Carmen stood, her eyes watering, and a soft smile on her face. “Sorry, Carmen,” Faith chuckled. She’d completely forgotten there were other people standing around.

“Don’t apologize. Maybe you and Molly should sit and talk properly. I need to get Mateo a bathroom before he disgraces our family name by peeing himself, and Enid could do with some water.”

Faith laughed. “Molly, this is Carmen Ruiz, her brother Mateo, and you know Enid.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Molly replied. “It’s wonderful to see you again Enid, you look fantastic.”

“Of course I do, dear. We’ll catch up later.”

“Carmen and Mateo took me in when I arrived in Seattle.”

“Seattle?” Molly asked. “You thought I was in Seattle?”

“It’s the last address I could find. My dad…” Faith cut herself off before another sob tore from her throat.

“Alan, he kept my letters?” Molly gasped, a hand coming to her mouth.

“He did.”

“How is he?”

Faith hated the look of hope in Molly’s eyes. How could she tell her aunt that her father was a brutal monster? Did Molly really not know who her brother was, or what he was capable of?

“I… we need to talk, catch up,” Faith offered. A few minutes to unscramble her thoughts were needed.

“Well, hello there,” a kind older woman said. Nobody noticed the other car pull up.

“Bessie, this is Faith, my niece.”

Faith surmised that Bessie was the owner of the ranch and the one that had offered Molly a job. Standing alongside Bessie was a girl, probably around Faith’s age. Her long brown hair hung over her shoulders in waves. Faith liked her ripped jeans and tank top.

“Niece?” Bessie asked, raising her eyebrow.

“Long-lost niece,” Faith answered.

Bessie took in the group of people. “Okay then. How about we all head inside for a drink and snacks? Maybe you and Faith could sit out here and have a chat?”

Faith looked from Bessie—who gave Molly a little wink—and Molly, who nodded in agreement, squeezing Faith’s hand.

Mateo almost sprinted into the house, which made Carmen roll her eyes and Faith laugh. Molly seemed to be amused by Faith’s companions, which was nice. If she and Molly were to get along, Molly had to like Carmen and Mateo. At least Enid was a sure thing. The old woman might be nuttier than squirrel poop, but she’d become like a grandma to Faith.

Molly led Faith to the bench on the front porch. Both had grown quiet, each happy to spend a little time looking the other one over in awe. Faith really felt like she was looking at herself twenty years in the future.