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“What do you mean,oh? That’s great news. There’s a match, James. This means she’s in the system, so she’s likely looking for her birth parents. It’s the link I’ve been hoping for.”
The lines on his throat tightened, and I sat back in my seat. His phone chimed again. “You don’t appear excited about this, and it sounds like someone needs you. At seven in the morning.”
He removed his phone from the back pocket, scrolled through his screen, and frowned.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
His gaze lifted to meet mine. “I’m happy you found a match, but I’m tired and I have work, so I’ll leave you to yours. Let me know if you get a reply.”
“Thank you.”
He headed for the door.
“James?”
He stopped but didn’t turn around again.
“I’m looking forward to the barbecue tomorrow.”
“Me too,” he said in a low voice, and left.
Had I become too much for him? What if it was the leukemia? I popped open my coffee, took a sip, and refreshed the computer screen. My message had been delivered and read, but there was no reply. Patience was an expected skill for a cop, but difficult to maintain as a mother. The family likely needed time to think and reply, but it couldn’t be long before they did—and hopefully, I could see my baby girl.
* * *
A distinct aroma of barbecue and fall carried in the air. The Silvers had set the event outside, and Emma had turned the backyard into a farm, complete with a petting zoo, a pony ride, games, and slides. The cloudless day one week before Thanksgiving carried a promise of good news in the air. I’d given Foxy a haircut that morning, arrived at the Silver’s before everyone else, and retreated to the cove shore where we spent the afternoon on a blanket. Teresa brought out a bowl filled with lettuce, and we fed the friendly swans. I had just given Foxy another piece of lettuce when I turned at the shuffle of leaves behind me.
James strolled over in a pair of fitted slacks and a sweater. “Hey, what are you doing out here?” he asked. “I didn’t see your car.”
“I came earlier with my parents. F… Ozzy wanted to feed the swans. Your mother said they’re friendly.”
“These are, and they stay here all year. Is this the little man?” He crouched to the ground, and Foxy handed James a piece of lettuce. “Thanks. Want to feed them up close?”
“Quack, quack.” Foxy pointed to the water, and James lifted him into his arms.
Oh, my God.
I held back the gasp as sweat dripped down my spine. I’d dreamt about this moment, but now that it was here, I wished it were different. I wished James already knew about his son.
James fixed Foxy’s bowtie and carefully treaded down the rocky bank. I let go of a long breath when he didn’t make the connection. Maybe it would have been better if he had?
He bent down near the water, and the beautiful swans swam in closer.
“Swans mate for life.” I stepped nervously over the rocks and crouched on Foxy’s other side. James held him steady on the uneven footing.
“What else can they do?”
“They’re territorial and highly aggressive about defending their young. I should have been more aggressive when I had my girl. They didn’t even let me hold her.”
My throat tickled in the back, and I pulled my hand across my eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Laura. It’s not—”
“Not fair? It’s F.U.C.K.E.D. Up. I’m going to find her, James, if it’s the last thing I do.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
“You found nothing yet?” I asked.
