Beside the vehicle stood a clean-shaven man in an expensive wool coat, watching my car arrive as tears gathered in his tired eyes.

“I thought you would not come,” he said softly as I stepped onto the curb, still holding the covered pot against my chest.

I studied his refined features until I recognized the younger version of him beneath the polished hair and tired facial lines.

“Gabriel?” I asked in complete disbelief.

His smile looked uncertain as he glanced toward the dark windows of the house.

“You brought dinner,” Gabriel noted quietly.