Chapter 40

New York, August, Tuesday—Present Time

I knew exactly where to find David: East 26th and Park. The house was clear in my mind, I didn’t need to look for the address, which I was sure he had added to my contacts. It was a four-story narrow brownstone that Rebecca had loved, and a small set of steps with black wrought-iron railings led to the first floor. Ten steps after you opened the little gate, up to a set of double doors made of maplewood. No decorations on the facade. Rebecca had wanted it rather plain, to remind her of the house in Bern. Large windows looking out at the tall, sweet-smelling linden tree in the front.

The cab flew through the city, stopping only at lights and at a few spots of congestion. He lived so close to the hospital, I hardly had time to think about what I would do if it was too early and he was still asleep, or if he had already gone to work. I wasn’t worried about what I’d say to him. If he opened the door, I knew the words would come to me. I just needed to see him. I needed to have a chance to apologize for running out.

There it was. 26th Street. “Right here is good,” I yelled out to the driver.

The cab came to a quick stop. I paid and jumped out, looking for the house. There it was, standing with its windows brightly lit, between a large apartment building and a smaller building with a bakery. Birds jumped happily on the branches of the linden tree. I inhaled the sweet smell. How had I never noticed these trees before? The house was small, but I knew Rebecca loved it. And so did David.

Oh, David. How could I have been so stupid?

It was always him. I should’ve known.

I ran up the steps and slowed down only for a second before raising my arm toward the brass knocker. I nearly fell forward as the door was opened by a handsome man who looked shockingly like David. He waited patiently as I struggled to find the words to explain what I was doing there. I finally gathered my thoughts and was about to introduce myself, as he stretched his hand out and said, “You’re looking for my brother, aren’t you?”

“Oh, you are Nate,” I managed to say.

“I see you’re well familiar with our family. Should I know your name?” He smiled.

“Maya,” I replied. “And no, your brother wouldn’t have mentioned me. At all,” I added, looking away.

“Well, come in.” He pointed inside.

“No, it’s fine. I really was just looking for David. We met in Europe, but he doesn’t know I’m here. He wasn’t expecting me. Is he around?”

“Ha, you’re planning to surprise him.” He rubbed his hands together and laughed. “I can’t wait to watch this.”

“He’s not great with surprises. Not his thing, right?”

“I see you have met him.” He laughed again. “Can I offer you some coffee?”

“Sure.” I couldn’t stop fidgeting.

“You do know David doesn’t live here?” Nate asked, while pouring the coffee a few minutes later.

“What?” I sat down on the kitchen stool, my legs unsteady now.

“Sweetheart, who is it?” A woman’s voice called out from upstairs.

“It’s a friend of David’s, looking for him,” he yelled back to her. “This is our mother’s house. We are meeting her for breakfast here this morning. David is getting some things from the bakery next door. How did you know to find him here?” He handed me the coffee and pushed over the milk and sugar.

I bought myself some time mixing my coffee. How could I possibly explain this to a stranger? “He gave me all his contact information. I just wasn’t sure which one was his address. I figured I’d try him here. I work nearby.”

“We grew up here, and we visit Mom all the time. She gets lonely.” He smiled. “Mom, come down here. Meet David’s friend.”

I got up off my chair. “You know, I think I’d better go. Thanks for the coffee, but I really don’t want to intrude on your family breakfast. Can you just let David know I’d like to speak to him?” I headed toward the door.

“Please don’t run away!” David’s mother, a beautiful woman with a kind smile, wearing a sunflower print dress, came downstairs and approached me with her arms open. “We don’t meet David’s friends very often. I’m very tempted to trap you here. I’m Lara Fischer, David’s mother. You see, all he ever does is work, work, work. I’m very happy to learn he has a bit of a social life.”

Lara Fischer pushed me back to the kitchen, her arm around my shoulders. “You’re wearing scrubs. Are you a doctor?”

“I’m a resident. Mrs. Fischer, I apologize for showing up uninvited. I just…” How could I possibly explain?

“Had to see him, didn’t you?” Mrs. Fischer smiled in understanding. “It’s all right, dear. And call me Lara, please.” She looked at me thoroughly. “You look familiar. Has David introduced you to me before and I’ve forgotten?”

“No, we really have just met,” I said.

“Well, I can’t wait to hear all about it,” she said, sending a mischievous smile to Nate.

I sank back into the chair, noticing Nate responding to her with a smirk. This was a mistake; I was sure of it now. But a minute later, the front door opened, then slammed closed, and I stared at David, paralyzed by both excitement and worry. As he saw me and his eyes lit up, my worry disappeared and my heart filled with deep love.

I ran to him, words struggling to come out, trying to explain. Nevertheless, happiness filled my entire being. He set his groceries down, took my face in his hands gently, and kissed me softly, whispering something I couldn’t hear. Here, even in front of his family, I felt as if I was in paradise alone with him.

“I knew you’d find me when you were ready,” he said.

“David,” I finally managed to say. “I have so much to tell you.”

“I can’t wait to hear this,” Nate said behind me.

“I see you’ve met Maya.” David blushed and nodded to Nate and his mother.

“You have some explaining to do, looks like,” Lara said, giving him a quick hug.

“I know. Hold on.” David took my hand and pulled me along to the dining room. “I have to show you something.” He took a photo album off a shelf and pulled out a picture. A picture of Rebecca and a man who bore a striking resemblance to my grandmother.

“This is Mark. It says it on the back. I found it in one of Rebecca’s books.”

“I have something to tell you, also,” I began. “My grandmother left me her father’s diary. His name was Mark Minchin. He studied medicine at the University of Bern when he was a young man. One of the entries was about his regret that he left behind a woman he loved—Rebecca Miller. He couldn’t return to her because he was forced to fight with the Red Army.”

David whistled.

“You both have a story to tell, I guess.” David’s mother stood next to me.

“Let’s go eat some breakfast, and we can explain everything. It will take a while,” David said, giving me another kiss. “I’m not even sure where to begin…”

“I know exactly where to begin,” I said. “With the bird I saw in Edinburgh.”

Then my mouth dropped open, and I nearly tripped over a chair in my path. “The painting,” I gasped, grabbing my throat.

“Oh, this? Of course you’d notice, if you are interested in my grandmother. She loved robins. They reminded her of Bern, she always said. She collected any paintings of them she could find. We have them everywhere. I rather like them,” Lara said and proceeded to the kitchen.

I looked around, holding onto David for strength. Small and large paintings of robins hung on the walls of the dining room, living room, and the small library off to the side. The same robin I had seen so many times during my week in Europe, guiding me, helping me find my way, and giving me clues.

The robin I had thought was Ella’s spirit…was really Rebecca’s, all this time.

Rebecca was the one who found me and led me to David.

She wanted to make sure her love for Mark never died.