I was so grateful for this moment, the way she had accepted me into their lives from the very beginning. How she was accepting me now. Those feelings only increased when I heard, “Love you, Syd.” Oh God. My heart swelled to the point that my eyes squinted, fighting back the tears that wanted to form. “I love you too, Everly.” When I opened my lids, I looked across the seat at Ford. It’s okay, he mouthed. He knew. And for that, I was even more grateful. TWENTY-ONE FORD “F
