Page 36 of Already Home

“Your mother is Beth Stevens, your father is Marshall Stevens.We knew that much from the adoption.” Serenity leaned into Tom. “They were so inlove. We liked that about them. We could feel it and see it in their eyes.”

“You met my parents?” Jenna asked.

“It was a condition of the adoption. We had to know you weregoing to be well taken care of.” Her smile faded. “Giving up a child isn’t aneasy thing, but we were young... Still, all these years, we’ve wondered. I’vesent you vibrations. Have you felt them?”

“I’m going to throw up,” Jenna whispered.

“Keep breathing,” Violet told her.

“Let her get used to us,” Tom murmured to his wife. “Let herask her questions in her own time. You don’t want to scare her off.”

“You’re right, my love.” Serenity’s smile returned. “I’m justso happy, Jenna. You’re lovely.”

“She looks like you,” Tom said quietly.

Violet looked between them and realized he told the truth.Serenity and Jenna were about the same height. Their faces were similar, andthey had the same eyes.

“I don’t know what to say,” Jenna said, taking a step back.“How did you find me?”

Violet felt Jenna’s confusion and pain. She wanted to dismissthe Johnsons but couldn’t. It was all too plausible.

“We’ve always known your parents’ names,” Serenity said easily.“Once we knew we were meant to come and see you, finding you wasn’t difficult.We called your restaurant in California where a helpful man named Aaron told usyou were here. We drove, of course. I’m not one who flies easily, except in mydreams. The country is so beautiful.”

Serenity tilted her head. “I have so many things I want to tellyou. About your past and your family.”

Jenna seemed frozen in place. Violet glanced at the couple.

“This is a bit of a shock,” she said. “Jenna wasn’t expectingyour arrival.”

“She’s right,” Tom told his wife. “Our girl needs time.”

Jenna shuddered.

“We’re staying in town for a while,” Serenity said. “Close by.We very much want to get to know you, Jenna, and have you get to know us. That’swhy we’re here.”

Jenna cleared her throat. “Excuse me. I have anappointment.”

She turned and fled through the stockroom. Seconds later,Violet heard the back door slam shut.

“Oh,” Serenity breathed. “She’s gone.”

Hardly a surprise, Violet thought. Who walked into someone’sbusiness and announced they were family with no warning? Talk about aninsensitive introduction. While she could appreciate the theory of familiesgetting back together, some kind of delicacy seemed appropriate.

“She’ll be back,” Violet said. “I’m sure she needs a littletime to adjust to everything you’ve told her. Why don’t I take your number andshe can call you later?”

“All right,” Tom said. “We got a cell phone for the trip. I’llwrite down the address where we’re staying, as well.”

Violet pulled one of their business cards from her pocket andhanded it to him. He wrote on the back.

“I’ll give this to her as soon as I see her,” Violet promised.Although she had a feeling Jenna might not take it willingly.

“I suppose that’s the best we can do,” Serenity said, soundingwistful. “I had hoped...”

“It’ll happen,” Tom said, taking her hand in his. “Trust theuniverse.”

“I will.”

Serenity smiled at Violet. “Do you know any good veganrestaurants in the area?”

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