That was the guest list Leo had told me about the day before, the strict roster made specifically to keep out anyone connected to the Carters.

I didn’t try to drive through the gates.

I kept going down the road another quarter mile until I found a little dirt pull-off hidden behind a thick row of tall pines.

I parked and shut off the engine.

I sat in the quiet car for a full minute.

I looked down at the frayed cuffs of the gray shirt and the worn brown shawl lying in my lap.

I was a rich woman dressed up as a beggar, about to crash my own son’s engagement party.