The knock at the door startled her.It was soft—almost hesitant. For a moment, she wondered if she had imagined it. The rain had started again, tapping gently against the windows, and the river beyond the trees shimmered under the faint porch light.Another knock followed.She folded the letter carefully and set it down on the table before walking to the door. When she opened it, she wasn’t prepared for the face standing there.It was Mrs. Alder from down the road.They had exchanged polite waves over the years but little more. Mrs. Alder’s silver hair was damp from the rain, her coat