“I hate that.” She brushed her hair back.
He itched to touch the strands, remembering how soft they’d felt.
“Why are you off work? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you were able to be with me this morning, but I know you were supposed to work until at least three or four.”
Jackson started driving toward the hospital. “I normally do. I went to see my chief when I got back. He understood that with everything that had happened, I was a little off my game today. I plan, after we go to the hospital, to keep searching for the boys. I have a feeling some of the cops are looking for drug dealers and not seeing them as possible victims. Which I understand, but my gut tells me Dylan is not involved. You might think I’m turning a blind eye to the facts because he’s my brother.”
“I don’t.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? You mean that?”
“I do. Jackson, remember, I’ve had him in my class for two years now. Dylan has always been a bit on the shy side. I can’t imagine him going that far out of his comfort zone.”
“That’s what I thought too.” Some of his tension bled away. She agreed. At least he had one person who knew Dylan on his side.
Renegade Mercy General Hospital loomed before them. Jackson put on his turn signal and waited for the oncoming traffic to clear before he turned into the visitor parking lot. Beside him, Mia had her hands clasped tightly in her lap. He reached over and set a hand on top of hers. She jumped slightly, then relaxed.
“It’s okay, Mia. We’ll go in and find out why she wanted to see you, then we’ll leave.”
“I have a feeling it’s something big.”
He couldn’t deny that it might be. Or it might be nothing. Whatever it was, he would be there and support her, the way she’d shown up to help him search for Dylan.
After they cleared security, they walked to the front desk, and Mia smiled at the woman working there. Jackson kept hold of her hand. He was proud of her. She looked calm, but judging by the way she clung to him, her nerves were still eating her up inside.
“Hi. I’m Maria Turner. Andrea Parker asked to see me.”
“Oh, yes! I expected you earlier,” the receptionist responded.
The receptionist gave them Andrea’s room number without further commentary, and they silently made their way to her room.
Mia knocked on the door, and a very young, feminine voice beckoned them to enter.
They walked in, and Jackson got his first glance of Andrea Parker fully conscious. He felt like a fist had been slammed into his gut. She looked even more like Mia than he’d first thought. It was like high school all over again. They had the same pointed chin and the same widow’s peak.
“You came,” she breathed.
Mia’s face was so pale, he half feared she’d pass out. But he should have known better. Mia straightened her shoulders and looked Andrea full in the face. “I heard you wanted to see me. I’ve also been informed you tried to call me. I apologize. Your number came up as spam.”
Andrea grimaced. It was the same expression he’d seen on Mia’s face a hundred times. “I never thought of that. I was so desperate to meet you, it never occurred to me that you didn’t know about me.”
“Know about you? I don’t understand.”
For some reason, Andrea’s face grew very sad. “I see that. Now. I guess I should have expected it.”
“Please. Will you explain?” Mia left his side and swiftly moved to the chair beside the young woman’s bed. “Obviously we look alike. I’m assuming we’re related?”
Andrea nodded. “You’re my older sister. Or I should say my half sister.”
Mia looked stunned. “Are you saying my mom cheated on Blaine—I mean, my father?”
“He isn’t your father. My dad, Tim Parker, is your real father. You have a half brother too. Sawyer. He’s a couple of years younger than I am.”
Jackson barely stopped his jaw from dropping. He hadn’t expected that.
Mia shook her head. “I don’t…”
Andrea sank back against the pillow. “I only found out a few months ago. My mom died last year, and we decided to move. I was helping pack, and I came across some letters from your mom to my dad. I’m ashamed to say I read them.”
