Page 65 of Ambush

Paradise studied Jenna’s lack of surprise. “You knew?”

“Becky got pregnant her junior year. I was a sophomore, and we played volleyball together that year. She went off to stay with a cousin the summer between her junior and senior years. When she came back in August, she had no baby with her. I assumed she gave the baby up for adoption. I never heard if she had a boy or a girl.”

“No idea where she went?”

The aroma of bacon began to rise from the oven. Jenna poured the whisked eggs into the skillet and grabbed a spatula. “She was closemouthed about it. I tried to ask questions but got shot down. I think your grandmother warned her not to say anything. Too bad she isn’t around to ask.”

Before Paradise was born, her maternal grandfather had died in a farming accident, and her grandmother died of cancer when Paradise was five. She had vague memories of a stern-faced woman with blonde hair who yelled at her a lot. Her mother had let her spend the night with her grandmother once, and Paradise had cried so much Mom picked her up at ten that night. There had been no grandmotherly snuggles or gifts that Paradise could remember.

“The letters from the adoptive parents were postmarked in Atlanta, but there’s no guarantee that’s where she had him. Blake suggested I ask my cousin Lily if she knows anything. I want to find him.”

Blake spoke from behind her. “Hez might be able to help with that.”

Paradise turned to see him. His hair glistened with moisture from his shower, and he wore khaki pants and a red shirt. “You’re going to ask him?”

“I already called him, and he’s going to see if he can find records.”

Jenna checked the oven and pulled out a tray of perfectly browned bacon. “Is there a national database?”

Blake snagged a piece of bacon. “No, it’s run by states. It would help if he had an idea where she went that summer. Hez will start the search in Atlanta.”

“Another route would be a DNA test,” Jenna said. “You hear stories about people finding relatives that way all the time. Maybe your brother had his done.”

“I hadn’t thought of that avenue. I think that’s fast. I can order one right away. They’re not that expensive. It’s worth a shot.”

“In the meantime we can check with Lily, and Hez can poke around. If Lily has an idea of where your mom went, he can target that state first.”

The television flipped on in the living room and the sound of cartoons blared. “The boys are up. I’ll call them for breakfast and make sure they’re dressed for church,” Blake said.

Paradise’s thoughts spun with the possibility she might find her brother sooner rather than later.

***

Church was like a whole new world for Paradise. She hadn’t stepped foot inside a church in years, and her soul drank up the words and music like a parched desert. Blake’s shoulder pressed against hers on her left, and Jenna sat on the other side of him. Lily had come in after the worship music started, and her cousin had nodded in her direction.

After the ending worship song, Paradise shook hands as she edged her way toward Lily, while Jenna went to grab the boys from junior church. Blake caught Paradise’s intent and helpedcreate a passage through the throng so she could intercept her cousin before she escaped.

“Lily!” Paradise called as her cousin moved toward the exit.

Lily turned and reversed direction to come toward her. “I’m so glad to see you here, Paradise. I love that top on you. The orange brings out the red in your hair and makes me think of your mama.”

“I really wanted to talk about Mom a minute. Do you have time?”

“Of course. There are several prayer rooms off the foyer. We can use one.”

Paradise shot Blake an expression of entreaty, and he followed them to the room and closed the door behind him. He stood back and let her take the lead with the questions, but Paradise wasn’t sure where to begin. If Jenna knew about the pregnancy, surely Lily did as well.

Lily’s smile vanished. “Don’t be scared, honey. I won’t bite. What’s wrong?”

“The owner of the house where Mom and Dad died found a hidden tub in the attic. Did you know Mom had a baby before I was born?”

Lily put her hand to her mouth. “That was in the tub?”

“You knew, right?”

Lily gave a jerky nod. “Of course, we all did. Grandma Penny was horrified. I thought she was going to kick your mom out onto the street, but she ended up sending her away. Your mom didn’t want to give her baby up for adoption, but Grandma told her she’d have to find another place to live if she came back with a baby. They compromised with a private adoption where your mom got updates on the baby.”

“Do you know where Grandma sent Mom?”

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