he brought her a book and climbed onto the bench beside her.
“Can you read this?” he asked.
Ellie’s heart swelled.
“Yes,” she said. “Of course I can.”
Soon, bedtime stories became a nightly ritual. Caleb would sit by the fire, pretending to mend tools while actually listening. Mia would lean against Ellie’s shoulder. Ben would fall asleep before the last continue reading …
