Page 123 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“I don’t want you worrying.” She scooted back against the pillows. “Is Dad there with you?”

“No, he’s stuck in a late meeting.”

“Oh.” She pulled Nate’s pillow from his side and plunked it down on her thighs, finding comfort as she breathed him in. “I have something I want to talk to you two about. When do you think he’ll be back?”

“It’s hard to say. Maybe another hour. The traffic’s a mess this time of night. Why don’t you just tell me, and I can talk to him for you.”

She sighed. “It’s big news, Mom.”

“All right. Are you healthy?”

“Yes.”

“Then we can handle anything else.”

Her lips trembled as she clutched at the pillow, needing to get this over with. “I found my biological mother,” she said in a rush. “Or a picture of her.”

“Oh?”

She pressed unsteady fingers to her temple, hearing Mom’s tone change. “I was helping with a project at the local library. There was this picture—a blond woman and her little girl… It caught my eye… We look so much alike.”

“Oh, honey, there are a lot of blond little girls who resemble you. We’ve seen them in the media over the years.”

“Yes, that’s true, but this one is me.”

“How can you be sure?”

She heard the fear in Mom’s voice. “Nate sent the picture you emailed to one of his friends at the FBI. Someone at the Biometrics Center of Excellence compared the photo you gave me to the one I found. Several characteristics between the two girls are identical. And the composite image a forensic artist made looks extremely similar to the way I do now.”

“I see.”

“The picture at the library was taken here on Carter Island at a Fourth of July parade—just a few hours before I was found at the diner.”

“Oh, good heavens, how can that be?”

“We’re not sure. Nate’s doing everything he can to figure it out.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“This doesn’t change anything.” She paused when her voice grew tight, terribly afraid that it did. “You’re still my mom. Dad’s still my dad.”

“Of course we are, sweetheart. Of course we are.”

A tear trailed down her cheek. “I just—I need to find her. I need to know why she left me.”

“I don’t want you getting hurt, honey. I’m so afraid this is going to hurt you.”

How could she describe how much this entire situation was already tearing her apart? She grabbed a tissue from the box on the nightstand and wiped her nose. “I’m doing all right. I have a great support system here. Nate’s wonderful—and his sisters.”

“Count on us for support as well. Your dad and I want nothing but the best for you. We always have.”

Another tear fell as her guilt compounded. “I know. I wish I didn’t have to know. I’m sorry if that’s hurtful.”

“I’m sorry we’ve never been able to find her for you. We’ve wanted to give you the answers you’re looking for, but honey, she might not want to be found. I hate saying that. I truly do, but I feel like I have to.”

“I need to try.”

“I understand.”