A week later Leah finally hit upon a plan of action pertaining to Jonathan Brookside and Gridwork Communications Corporation that might enable her to access the Brooksides’ address.

Problematically, she did not possess the disposition of a double agent. The idea of placing a deceptive phone call made her feel the way she’d felt when she’d developed hives after a bee sting at the age of ten. Itchy and anxious.

She tapped Gridwork’s number into her phone. Hesitated.

Restless, she paced to the windows of her classroom. Her final class of the day had concluded thirty minutes prior. Outside, a smattering of kids still dotted the campus, hurrying through the drizzle toward cars, talking with friends beneath overhangs. Inside, quiet reigned, thanks to her classroom’s closed door.

She caught herself scratching her forearm and ceased the motion. You don’t actually have hives, Leah.

She wanted more details about Jonathan and Trina and Sophie.

Her choices were simple: Make this phone call. Or wait and see if she could unearth any other sources of information. Or give up her quest for answers.

She hit the button to connect the call.

“Gridwork Communications Corporation,” a male voice answered.

“Hello, I was hoping to reach Jonathan Brookside’s personal assistant.” Surely, someone with the title of Founder would have an assistant.

“One moment, please.”

Classical music came on the line. Leah rubbed her thumb against the windowsill. She’d been forwarded, which indicated that Jonathan Brookside was still affiliated with Gridwork and did have an assistant. Had the receptionist offered to connect her to Jonathan directly, she’d been prepared to hang up. She couldn’t allow her first communication with her biological father to come in the form of a deceptive phone call.

“Meredith Tibbs,” a woman said. She sounded both grandmotherly and efficient, like a retirement-age Mary Poppins.

“Hello! I’m hoping you can help me.”

“I’ll certainly try.”

“I’m a friend of Trina’s. We volunteered together years ago.”

“Ah! At Hands of Grace?”

“Yes. We hadn’t seen each other in a log time, but I ran into her the other day, and she was so kind and encouraging. I sent her a note afterward but it was returned to sender. I don’t think she lives at the address I have for her anymore.”

“What address do you have?”

“11482 Riverchase Road.”

“My, that is an old one. Very old.”

“Time flies!”

“It really does. Do you have a pen and paper handy?”

“I do.” Leah rushed to her desk, her heart whacking against her ribs as she jotted down a current address for Jonathan and Trina Brookside.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Sebastian leaned against the side of the main house at Sugar Maple Farm and talked with Natasha and Genevieve’s dad while dusk fell over Misty River.