“Then why? Please tell me. Whatever it was, I’ll keep it our secret. Was it another girl? Was he flirting? Or was it something more serious? Whatever it was, you can tell me.”

“No, no. There was nothing bad. Jared is a good person. He never did anything bad to me.”

“Then why?”

Maybe it was that Adam had revealed a great secret to her, or maybe it was that she was sick of holding in the truth. Maybe it was hearing how her father had fought against that useless war. Whatever the reason, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. This secret was causing too much pain to too many people. “Jared is my cousin. My first cousin. I can’t... I couldn’t—”

“Miguel and Gabby aren’t related to my family. They—” Adam’s eyes widened as he realized what she was telling him. “Robbie? He is your father?”

“My mother knew she was pregnant when she went to bed with...” Her chin came up. “With my father. Miguel is my father.”

Adam nodded. “Of course he is. But Robbie...” He was thinking. “Yes, back then there was a woman he was seeing. I never asked who it was. I just got angry when he stayed out all night. I guess it was...”

“My mother.” Cait took a few breaths. “She didn’t tell anyone. At least not until she had to. When she heard about Jared and me, she came here and told us.”

Adam took a moment to digest this. “Miguel gave Gabby every penny he had to get custody of you.”

“I know. And Mrs. Carl did, too. I’ve always loved hearing the story of how they wanted me so much.”

“Why didn’t Gabby come to me? I would have—”

Instant anger came to Cait. “You would have paid even more for me?”

Adam was calm. “Yes, but it wouldn’t have been like that.”

Cait released her anger. “Maybe she knew that Dad would give his whole life to me. You had Kelly and would have more kids and...” She took a breath. “With Dad, I am one of one, not one of many.”

“I don’t like that idea, but I understand it.” Adam paused. “Your father hates me.”

Cait didn’t disagree.

“He must have been ripped apart when he was told.”

Cait swallowed. “Yes, he was.”

Adam was quiet for a moment. “He must think I have everything he ever wanted. He’s loved Vera since we were children, but when we were adults, she and I were...” He didn’t finish.

“People say they thought you two would marry. I never heard a word about my dad and Vera.”

“Few people knew. They found this place and kept it a secret from everyone, even me. They came back to it when they were adults.”

“And that was when you and Vera were a couple?”