"Joelle Finch, Micah Manning. It's been a long time."
The two women rushed forward and took Evelyn Ford's hands. No words could describe how they felt in that moment. Joelle Finch was crying one moment and laughing the next, then crying again. Micah Manning's belly was round—from the looks of it, she was about six months pregnant. This was good news Evelyn had learned months ago from a letter from Wendy.
"We've finally met again, Evelyn! You have no idea how much we've missed you."
Evelyn laughed heartily. "Of course I knew! My ears must have been burning every day. And you all were constantly writing me letters. Every time Ronan went to deliver water and pick up the mail, he'd come back with a huge box."
Joelle Finch and Micah Manning laughed along with her.
"Evelyn, does this mean we can live on the surface now?"
Evelyn nodded. "Of course. Rhys Chase has probably made plans for that already. We should just follow his lead."
