“You know, my mom… Reba didn’t tell me a lot about any of you guys. Or about Shallie. I don’t really understand why. All she told me is that you or Eli or J.P. is my dad.” Carly had to hesitate for a minute. “She was already in the hospital then. And…and never came out. Stage 4 when it was diagnosed. I spent all my time there.” She couldn’t disguise her bitterness when she added, “Duncan, her husband, hardly even bothered to show up.”

“Man, I wish I could have a private—shall we say, conversation—with that asshole in an alley somewhere.”

Regardless of everything, she had to smile again. “I wish you could, too. And I’d want to be there.”

“Unlikely it’s gonna happen, more’s the pity. But let me tell you again—you can count on me. On all of us.”

“There’s something else I should tell you. Something Reba told me. This was about a week before she died. The thing is, she didn’t plan to get pregnant, whatever anyone else might think. She said she really did love all you guys, in different ways. And she knew she messed up. She also told me she had a close friend here, when she was living at the motel, but they lost touch. I guess that would’ve been Shallie.”

Cord nodded. “Thanks for telling me—”

“That I was an accident? Unintentional?”

“You were her daughter, she loved you, and nothing matters more than that.”

“I agree.” Carly bit her lip, almost hard enough to draw blood. “I loved her, too.”

“Should I ask Shallie to come down?”

“In a little while. But if you don’t mind, I’d like your opinion about the kind of plans I should make.”

“Even if I don’t turn out to be your dad? You want my opinion now?”

“Yes, please.”

“Number one. Get registered at the county high school here. I know for a fact that it’s a good place.”

“Oh, ’cause you went there?”

“Isn’t that proof enough?” He rolled his eyes, just as she’d known he would. “Seriously, it’s well regarded throughout the state. High SAT and literacy scores and all that.”

“I’d have to get my transcript, right?”

“Should be easy enough.”

“I’ll email my old school tomorrow. I did manage to finish tenth grade—with good marks.”

“Doesn’t surprise me. But I’m impressed.” He sounded as if he genuinely was. “With all the pain and disruption in your life…”

Carly bowed her head. “So, I’ll need to apply there?”

“You do. Use this address for now.”

“Have they got a music program?”

“I believe they do. Look it up. I’d definitely want to see you enrolled in that.”

She pulled down the neck of her T-shirt to reveal the musical note tattoo. “You know why I have this?”

“Because you’re a musical genius?”