"No, I got a call from the gallery, and I went into the kitchen to take it." Kade gave me a regretful look. "Sorry, I didn't think he was going to bail. He was feeling bad after your conversation. He said he never should have told you he wasn't your father, that he never wanted that to come out. He wanted me to know that he really loved you. I said he didn't have to convince me. It was between you and him."

"Anything else?"

"No. That was it." He paused. "I need to go to the gallery. There's an issue with an installation that I need to resolve. It shouldn't take more than an hour. Do you want to come with me? I don't want to leave you here alone."

I hesitated. After everything that happened, I didn't want to be alone, but I also wanted to be somewhere my dad could find me. "I don't know. My dad might come back, and I'd like to be here if he does."

"I don't know that he'll be back, Brynn."

"You're probably right, but you should go do what you need to do."

"It won't take long, no more than an hour."

"I'll be fine. I'll keep everything locked up tight, and while you're gone, I'll make some calls. I want to follow up with Inspector Greenman and Jeremy as well."

"If you talk to Jeremy, can you ask him to send the police report on my father's murder? It sounded like he had a copy."

"Of course. You haven't seen it before?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I was a little kid when my father was killed, and years later when I asked about it, I got stonewalled. The police assured me that the case was still open, that they hadn't given up, but it didn't seem that way."

"I'll text Jeremy now," I said, as I typed out the request. When I was done, I looked back at Kade. "I'll let you know when I hear from him. I'll call the hospital, too. Maybe today will be the day my mother wakes up."

"I hope so. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Okay." I tried to look unconcerned by his departure, but I'd become very attached to him the past few days. My anchor was leaving, and I felt suddenly adrift.

Kade gave me an odd look. Then he moved forward and wrapped his arms around me.

I drew in a breath, soaking in the warmth of his embrace for a long minute. I looked up at him. "How did you know I needed a hug?"

"Because I needed one, too," he said, his gaze clinging to mine.

Something between us shifted. The hug no longer felt comfortable or friendly. It felt like something else, something exciting, tingly…