Taking my coffee with me, I wandered around the house. Everything seemed in order. Although the front door no longer had the dead bolt on as Kade had obviously left at some point. That made me wish he'd woken me, so I could have put it on. But at least the lower lock was still intact. I turned the bolt, then made my way back to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, realizing I hadn't eaten since lunchtime yesterday. My mother's refrigerator was well-stocked, with a bowl of cut-up fruit and a Greek yogurt calling my name.

As I ate breakfast, I checked my messages. Dani wanted me to cover for her later in the day, because she had to leave early for a dental appointment. That was obviously something I couldn't do.

A text from Ray was next, asking me how it had gone with my sister, which reminded me I still had to have that conversation with Dani.

But how was I going to have that discussion after I told her our mother was alive? I could feel my dream job slipping away, which wasn't really all that surprising. Whenever my dreams got close to coming true, something happened to end them. It was the story of my life, a story that had started when my mom died just after the happiest birthday party Dani and I had ever had. Good was always followed by bad. I'd learned that a long time ago.

I still had a few days before I had to get back to Ray. First things first.

I took out my phone and punched in Dani's number.

"Hi," my sister said, a cheerful note in her voice. "Did you see my text? Can you cover the store this afternoon?"

"No, I can't."

"Why not? Do you have plans with Jeff?"

"No."

"Then what's the problem, Brynn?"

I could already hear the change in her tone. Dani didn't like it when I didn't go along with her plans.

"Brynn," she said impatiently. "What is going on with you?"

"A lot," I said. "So much, I don't know where to start."

Silence followed my words. Then she said, "Is it Dad? Vicky called me this morning. She thinks Dad is having an affair."

"That's not why I'm calling."

"Then talk," she said impatiently. "Whatever it is, just say it."

"I wish I could tell you this in person."

"Then let's meet. Where are you?"

"We can't meet; I'm in San Francisco." I licked my suddenly dry lips and told myself to just get on with it.

"San Francisco? What on earth are you doing there?"

"I got a call yesterday after you left to go to your appointment. It was from a nurse at a hospital here in the city."

"Oh, my God! Is it Dad? Has something happened to him?"

I really needed my sister to stop guessing, which meant I just had to tell her. I had to drop the bomb.