It was such a small resemblance, and it almost undid me.

For years I had been certain Harper’s family began and ended with the people I could name.

Now new names were arriving all at once.

I wasn’t frightened of a larger family in principle.

I was frightened of how easily powerful people expected the world to rearrange itself when they finally decided to knock.

Natalie was sitting alone in a corner booth holding a cup of coffee that she hadn’t even touched.

“You actually came,” Natalie said, looking up with surprised relief as I sat down across from her.