“I can’t imagine what name she’d be using now,” Shallie said. “I don’t know enough about her to even guess. Probably a random name she came across on her travels.”

Then something occurred to her. Would Christine dare use Reba’s name, either her first or her last? Did she know her one-time friend had died? The fact of Reba’s death would’ve been easy enough to find out if Christine had access to the internet and she probably did.

Horrifying as the thought of stealing Reba’s name was, Shallie decided to go online herself, see what—if anything—she could learn. She didn’t mention it to the others, although it was something she might bring up with Eddie.

She did ask Russ if he’d had any success with his search for Bethanne, but figured she would’ve heard. He’d told her he hadn’t found even a trace of his sister, and the husband hadn’t responded to a message he’d sent via Facebook.

Talk turned to the wedding. Russ told them that renovations on the motel were progressing, and that the contractor recommended by J.P. was doing a fantastic job. “And he’s speedy, too!” So, any out-of-town visitors who needed accommodation could stay there, as his guests.

Susan’s part-time library colleague, Elaine, was still working as the motel’s cleaner and was helping with administration.

Another important aspect of the Thanksgiving party was that Cord, Eli and J.P. had stuck to their resolve, motivated by Carly, to announce the DNA results there, to friends and other family members. This was partly because all four of them were still adjusting. And as Carly had said, why not make a dramatic event of it? This was their new truth, a truth they needed to share, and it had to be given the importance it deserved.

Shallie and Cord agreed it made sense to include this announcement in their celebration. So far, none of them had talked about the DNA results with friends or even relatives, everyone holding it close.

She reflected on something else for a moment. Another possible change in the future they were shaping, she and Cord. They hadn’t yet talked about having children, a conversation that needed to happen soon… So far she hadn’t stopped taking her birth control pills.

Both she and Cord were in their midthirties, so from a biological perspective, hers, anyway, the timing might be getting a little urgent.

She’d talk to Cord about it later tonight. In bed.

AFTER THEY’D MADE LOVE, with gentleness and the deepest affection she’d ever felt or experienced, she asked him.

Cord replied that he’d always wanted a family, a child or children, and had assumed it would happen. How did she feel?

“I do want a baby but it wasn’t something Rob was ever interested in,” she admitted. “I thought he’d change his mind—”