Nathaniel had said they could support a foundation financially, then postponed visiting because a warehouse contract was closing.

Caroline never stopped volunteering herself.

He had written checks and congratulated himself for helping while rarely learning the recipients’ names.

On her last good afternoon, she’d asked him to promise not to let his life narrow to business once she was gone.

He had promised easily because the future still seemed abstract.

Now he walked to the study and found a letter she’d left in a folder marked PERSONAL.

Her handwriting was familiar enough to hurt.