Page 85 of Deception

She was nervous too? Hard to tell from her calm demeanor. Madison repeated what she’d said.

“Oh dear.” Dani felt her cheek. “I’ve looked in the mirror. I must have looked awful yesterday, and I’m sure it can’t be blamed entirely on this lovely hospital gown.”

“I’m not going to lie,” Madison teased. She couldn’t get used to looking at someone who had her same features. Same hair, same blue eyes, same dimple in her chin. “How tall are you?”

“I’m assuming you’re always that direct, like me?” Dani said. “But to answer your question—five six.”

“Same here,” she said with wonder in her voice. “How long have you known about me?”

“A little over four months.”

“Why did you wait so long to contact me?”

“When I googled your name, one of the hits was your mom’s obituary.” She shrugged. “I just didn’t feel it was the right time ... and I was still getting used to the fact that I had a twin sister. Don’t get me wrong. While it was awesome knowing I had a sister, I’d always known I was adopted. What if you’d never been told?”

“I’d just been through a traumatic loss,” Madison said softly. “And you didn’t want to add more pressure. That was kind of you, since I’m pretty sure you were anxious to make contact.”

“Oh, I was.”

“I’ve always known I was adopted. Have you found...” Madison stared at her hands gripping the plastic arms of the chair, not sure if she was ready to know the answer to the question on her mind. But wondering was just as bad. “I mean, who else have you found?”

“No more siblings, at least none that have run their DNA.”

Madison raised her gaze. There was a “but” in Dani’s voice. “Have you found our parents?”

“Only our birth mother.”

“The woman who gave us away,” she said bitterly.

“She may not have had any choice.”

“People always have a choice.”

“I don’t mean to cause you more distress,” Dani said. “But she was only fifteen when she had us.”

“Fifteen? That’s just a child.” Madison’s grip loosened as she tried to wrap her mind around a fifteen-year-old giving birth. She’d never considered her birth mother may not have had a say-so about what happened. “Have you contacted her?”

“She only recently showed up on Ancestry. I emailed her about a month ago, but I haven’t heard anything.” Dani rested her head on the recliner. “I assume since she did the DNA test that she wants to connect with us, but it’s always slow getting information.”

That made sense. Madison noticed how weak Dani looked. Something she should have noticed earlier. “You’re tired. Let me help you back into bed.”

“I don’t like being an invalid, but if you would, I’d appreciate it,” she said. “By the way, I’ve put you on my HIPAA form so the doctors and nurses can discuss my case with you.”

“Good.” Madison helped her stand, then rolled the IV pole as she offered her arm to Dani. “Any idea when they’ll release you? Or where you’ll go?”

Her shoulders slumped. “No to both questions.”

“I think I can solve the last one. You’ll come to my grandfather’s house and stay with me.”

Dani faltered. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Madison helped her into bed and elevated the head.

“Thank you.” Dani lay back against the pillow. “Do you think you could use your connections to find our birth mother?”

“Without a name, I don’t see how I can.” Did she even want to dig into the past right now with everything else happening in her life? She glanced at Dani, who waited expectantly. Yes, she did.

“Send me your file from the DNA company. Maybe my friend at the FBI office in Jackson can help.”

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