Starling (137 page)

time of adversity has forged a bond so deep and strong that
neither man nor nature will ever tear it asunder.

Cass closed the journal and wept freely. She hadn’t been responsible for Agnese’s death. Her aunt had faked her grief to help protect
Cass. Her aunt had known she and Luca were still alive. She had
simply succumbed to her many sicknesses. Even though Cass knew
it was for the best, that Agnese had been in pain, that she was in a
better place now, she still felt a sense of loss at losing her aunt just as
she was beginning to get to know her.

Slipper padded across the floor, drawn to Cass by the sounds of
her sobbing. He bounded up onto her lap, reaching one paw toward
her cheek to explore her tears.

Slipper turned his body in a full circle and then lay down on
Cass’s lap. He looked up at her with his wide green eyes. Cass stroked
the cat’s fur softly, listening to the deep rumbling purr that emanated
from his belly. She wondered if it was almost suppertime. She
couldn’t wait for Luca to arrive. She wanted to show him how Agnese
had always believed they were alive—that she had faith in the power
of their love for each other, even before they had faith in it themselves.