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“Yes. You and I are second cousins. Your grandfather and mine were brothers. The extended family is a large one.”
When her mom died four years ago, she’d lost the last of her family—or so she’d believed at the time. “And you said that the family in Oregon is large, too?”
“George and Marie Bravo had nine children.” He turned for the door.
“Had?” she asked his retreating back.
He paused in midstep and faced her again. “George and Marie were very fond of traveling. One of the children, Finn, was lost on a trip to Russia years ago. The family continues to search for him.”
“And George and Marie Bravo, what are they like?”
“I’m sorry, Madison, but two years after Finn disappeared, George and Marie died on another trip, that one to Thailand.”
“Oh.” The word came out wobbly, more breath than sound, as a wave of sadness washed through her for the lost boy—and for George and Marie Bravo. If they actually were her birth parents, she would never know them now.
“Listen.” A look of concern had creased Jonas’s brow. “How about if I stay until you’ve had a chance to check everything over?” He tipped his head at her white-knuckled fist and the memory stick she clutched in it.
“No!” she replied much too sharply. She needed to be alone for this. She needed time to absorb it all and reject it—or to claim it in her heart, take it under her skin. “I, well, would you please thank Percy Valentine for me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Would you explain that you’ve spoken with me and given me all the information he sent you?” Her mouth felt so dry. She swallowed and forged on. “I’m going to need some time...”
Jonas Bravo understood. “You mean you want me to say that you’ll call him?”
The weird, constricted feeling in her chest seemed to loosen a fraction. “Yes, please. Would you tell him that I’ll be in touch as soon as I’m ready?”
“I’ll do that. Thanks for hearing me out. Percy will be looking forward to your call.”
