“So how do you know this is Dalton and Jenny’s baby?”
“The old doctor is long dead. We only have Rose’s speculation that this is Dalton’s baby, but I found the doctor’s nurse in a nursing home in Fort Worth and she remembers Jenny giving birth.”
Maddie’s spirits fell. She might not have a sister, after all.
Dev hugged her again. “Hey, chin up. I’m not through looking. And I think Rose was right. When I ask around, everyone is very clear on the fact that Jenny was never seen with anyone but Dalton. They had made it very clear that they would marry, and people still remember them together even when Jenny was as young as fourteen. We’ll only be sure after DNA testing, but I doubt we’ll find that this girl had any other father than Dalton Wheeler.”
“But what if you can’t find her?” Maddie brushed at the tears flooding her eyes.
“Hey,” Dev squeezed her shoulders. “I’ll find her. I’m as good at finding people as you are at preparing world-class meals.”
Maddie heard the comforting smile in his voice and lifted her head. “Please, Dev. It would mean the world to me.”
He set her away from him, holding one shoulder and reaching into his pocket for a handkerchief. “Here—I can’t send you back to Boone with red eyes.”
Boone. Maddie’s shoulders sagged. “I still don’t have enough to tell him, do I?”
Dev shrugged. “That’s your call to make.”
“I’m so tired of sneaking around. But I don’t know what else to do. Until we know she’s alive…”
Dev nodded. “It could all be for nothing.”
Maddie drew a deep breath. “Then I don’t have any choice. He’s had so much thrown at him. I’ll just have to keep this a secret until you’re certain.”
“You’re a lousy liar, Maddie. What if he shows up today?”
“Then I’ll just have to make myself scarce. It won’t be that much different. We’ve been tiptoeing around each other for almost two weeks now.”
“Sam made a hell of a mess, didn’t he?” Dev’s eyes held sympathy.
Maddie glanced up. “I don’t know whether to be glad or upset with him anymore. If he hadn’t done what he did, I would never have known about any of this—my father, my grandmother, a sister…the house.”
“Or Boone,” Dev reminded her. His eye held a knowing glint. “Are you sure you can go back to New York now?”
Maddie met his gaze in shock. “It’s always been understood that I would.”
He shrugged. “Things change.”
“What does that mean?”
“Come on, Maddie. Don’t try to tell me you haven’t thought about staying. I’ve watched you when you talk about the house.” His gaze bored into her. “And when you talk about Boone.”
Maddie flushed. “There’s nothing to decide. Boone might be attracted to me, but it’s only physical. He can’t wait for me to leave.”
“Are you so sure about that?”
“Why? Has he said something to you?”
Dev laughed out loud. “Boone would just as soon punch my lights out as talk to me more than absolutely necessary.”
“I should have asked, though maybe it’s none of my business. Are you having any luck finding Mitch?”
“I’m waiting for some information from Colorado, but nothing firm yet.”
“Is it hard to juggle both searches? If so, mine can wait. Boone needs to find Mitch worse.”
Dev shook his head. “You are some kind of woman, Maddie. I wonder if Boone has any idea how protective you are of him.”
“He wouldn’t like it. But I feel so badly for him. He’s had such a lot of bad breaks.”
“You haven’t exactly had a great string yourself.”
“Oh, well.” She straightened. “In just over two weeks, I’ll be back in New York, fighting with temperamental waiters and barking orders to my sous chefs.” For the first time in years, it didn’t sound exciting.
Dev gave her a quick hug. “I’ll do my best to find her before then but if not, I’m always up for a trip to New York.” His gaze grew solemn. “I’ll find her, Maddie. No matter what it takes. You just hang in there.”
“Thanks, Dev.” Grasping his shoulder, she rose to her toes and kissed his cheek.
Chapter Ten
He’d known better.
Boone jammed the trailer bolt shut with a clang. With long strides, he headed toward the cab of his truck.
“You gonna tell me what’s eatin’ you?” Jim asked.
“Nothing.” He jerked the door open and slid inside. “I’ll park this and be back to help you move the cattle.”