“Your dad says he’s just waiting for you to agree to marry your hunky veterinarian. But I don’t believe that’ll be enough for Miguel. I swear, I think he won’t leave until you’re pregnant. Knowing him, he’ll want to wait for the delivery before he gets on a plane. But I—”

Cait let out a howl like an animal in pain. It was an eerie sound that made Vera’s hair stand on end. Considering what she’d seen in her life, that was saying a lot.

She grabbed Cait to her, holding her close. She didn’t tell her to stop crying, didn’t try to soothe her, just let the tears come. When Cait’s body went into convulsions, shuddering hard, Vera pulled her closer.

It was a long while before Cait began to calm down. Vera didn’t let go but pulled the sheet up and wiped Cait’s young face. She was drenched in tears. There was a box of tissues on the side table and Vera handed her a thick pile.

Cait blew her nose. “Sorry,” she managed to whisper. “I don’t know what got into me. I just—”

“Cut the crap,” Vera said. “What is torturing your soul?”

Cait sat up, her back against the headboard. “I can’t tell anyone. I...” Vera’s look made her stop. “Torturing my soul. Yes, I think that describes it. Dad doesn’t know. Jared... He’s—”

“I know who he is. Kelly and Adam’s sad boy. When I got here, he was looking like he’d lost the meaning of life. But lately he seems to have perked up. I think we can guess what monumental thing he was told that made him feel better.”

“You know?”

“Of course. Your dad and I have connected spirits. We don’t hide the truth from each other.”

Cait sniffed and blew her nose again. “You talk like you write. Very dramatic.”

“A hazard of being a writer. Stop dancing around and tell me what’s killing you.”

“I...” She hesitated. Vera’s look was intense and she was waiting. “I was carrying Jared’s baby.”

Vera’s eyes widened. “No, your dad doesn’t know that.”

“I couldn’t tell him.”

“You were right not to. Finding out that you’re related to the Hattens almost did him in. What happened with the baby? Put up for adoption?” She studied Cait’s face. “No. Something else. Abortion?”

“I couldn’t do that,” Cait said. “It was an ectopic pregnancy and there were complications. I needed surgery. I...” Tears were running down her face.

“Lost it all? All your baby-making equipment?”

Cait was crying into her tissues and could only nod.

“That’s tough. Did you tell your veterinarian?”

“Of course not. Men want their own children, but I can’t have any. I’m only half—”