“How did you find out? You said you noticed the resemblance—it was the photo?” Her teeth were chattering. She had to pull herself together. It didn’t matter how bad the truth made her feel, she had to deal with it. She had to deal with the fact that she was Cliff Whitman’s daughter, that there was a hell of a lot her mother hadn’t told her, that she was now sitting in front of his ex-wife and that she was pregnant. It was enough to make her want to crawl back under the covers and never come out.

If Joanna felt a fraction of what she was feeling, it was no wonder she preferred to live a low-key life.

“Ashley, take a breath.” Joanna’s voice was kind.

How could she be kind, knowing who Ashley was?

“I feel—” Her breath hitched and she felt Joanna’s hand close over hers.

“I can imagine how you feel, but you need to take a breath. You need to stay calm. Think about the baby. It’s going to be all right. We’re going to figure this out together.”

Together.

Ashley felt the pressure of Joanna’s hand on hers and her eyes filled. If she’d admired Joanna before, then she loved her a little at that point. Loved her not only for her kindness, but also for her calm and generosity. She was drowning and the firm pressure of Joanna’s hand on hers was the only thing preventing her from sliding under the surface.

But Joanna was right. She had to stay calm for the baby.

“I’m okay.” She took another breath, clung to Joanna’s hand. “Thank you.”

“It’s a shock, I know. The first time I read a story about myself in the press I felt as if a bunch of people were crowded in my bathroom watching me take a shower.”

“That’s not—it’s not just about what they’re going to write. It’s the whole thing. The whole story. How long have you known about my mother and Cliff?”

“I had my suspicions right back when it happened. Cliff and I had been married two years. He was filming in San Diego. Normally I would have gone with him, but that particular time I didn’t because I was pregnant and couldn’t stop being sick.” She paused. “I didn’t even mind not going. I was so excited and thrilled to be pregnant, and if being sick every morning was the price I had to pay to have our baby, then I was willing to pay it. I told Cliff he should go without me. I didn’t want to cramp his style. Afterward, of course, I wondered what would have happened if I’d gone.”

Ashley had no idea what to say. She felt sick, too, but this time it was nothing to do with her pregnancy. “I’m sorry.”