“Cora, listen to me.” He took her hands. “Imagine how she must feel when she thinks of you. She gave you up because she was convinced she had to, which means, not only did she lose her family, at least for a while, she lost her only child. That has to be painful. She feels she deserves the pain, which is why she’s tried so hard not to look back and hasn’t taken up a search for you. But if you were to come to her, and it didn’t hurt her mother, her brothers or anyone else, I have to believe it might finally fill the hole in her heart. Don’t you see? Finding out that her baby had a good upbringing, one in which she was treated well, and has turned into such a beautiful, fully functioning young woman would have to erase some of that terrible guilt. It would also make her proud. Having you back... I believe she’d feel complete—at last.”
Cora’s eyes began to burn with unshed tears.
“You have to tell her,” he said. “Only you can bring her peace.”
* * *
Cora almost turned around a million times. If not for Eli’s words, his strong belief that she was doing the right thing, she would have. Instead, early the following Sunday, after a sleepless night she spent alone at her own house, she kept walking toward Aiyana’s. At least she knew that Liam and Bentley wouldn’t be there, that she and her biological mother would have the house to themselves. When Eli had called Aiyana to set up this appointment, he’d asked if the boys could spend the night with him. According to the good-luck text she’d just received from him, Liam and Bentley were still sound asleep. She knew Eli would run interference for her until he received the “all clear.”
Everything was ready—except her.
“How am I going to say it?” she muttered as she trudged along, hugging herself against the early morning chill.
Fortunately, the campus was deserted. She was grateful for that, wasn’t sure she’d be able to fake a smile if she happened upon a student or fellow teacher. She was close to tears, and she hadn’t even arrived yet.
When she did reach Aiyana’s, Aiyana answered the door immediately. Cora could tell she’d been waiting and watching for her. Aiyana knew something serious was up; the concern in her eyes proved it.
“Thanks for...thanks for allowing me to come over,” Cora said.
Aiyana stood aside and waved her in. “Of course. You’re welcome here anytime. I hope you know that.”
“I do.”
Aiyana led her into the living room where that picture of Hank, Consuelo and family graced the old piano. Cora felt a niggle of doubt when she glanced at it. Once she said what she had to say, there’d be no taking it back. But she knew she’d come too far to change her mind. For better or worse, it was time for the truth.
“Why all the secrecy?” Aiyana asked as they sat, facing each other, on the sofa. “I’d assume it was because you want to arrange a surprise for Eli, maybe for the wedding, but he’s the one who asked me to set this time aside and insisted on taking the boys, so...that doesn’t seem to fit.”
“No, it’s not that kind of surprise.”
“So he knows what you’re about to say.”
“He does. Cal does, too. And my parents. They all felt you and I should address this at a time when we could be alone and weren’t likely to get interrupted.”
Her eyebrows knit above her dark, searching eyes. “Cal’s part of this?”
“Yes. And my parents, as I said. But it’s a very small, tight circle, and we all want what’s best for you. This is no one else’s business but our own.”
The color drained from Aiyana’s face as she stiffened. “You’re giving me the impression this is bad news. You and Eli haven’t changed your mind about the wedding. You’re not leaving New Horizons.”
“No. I love Eli more than I’ve ever loved anyone. I hope I’ll be able to make him happy.”
“I know he feels the same about you. You’ve taught him to trust again. I’ve been waiting for a woman to come along who had the power to do that. So...”
Cora couldn’t help wringing her hands. “Aiyana, I... I’m...” She tapped a hand to her chest as if she could force out the rest of the words, but that was as far as she got before she choked up and couldn’t speak.
Sympathetic tears filled Aiyana’s eyes. “What is it, Cora?” she asked. “You can tell me anything.”
“It’s something I’ve been trying to tell you since I came here. Since the private investigator who...who helped me first find you.”
With a gasp, Aiyana covered her mouth. She knew. In that moment, she knew, but Cora spoke, anyway.