Page 105 of The Lost Book of First Loves

He shook his head. “I might have questioned the DNA results when Ali first told me about them. When I saw the two of you together and really looked at you both, I could see it. Your coloring is different and you’re obviously taller, but there are definite similarities in your bone structure.”

“I finally logged in to the DNA database for the first time since I did my initial test. I saw the link to Ali and to the user who is apparently Carson and also to Loretta.”

“Are you convinced?”

“Getting there. But I still need further proof. That’s how I am.”

“I completely understand.”

She wished she understood any of this. “It’s so hard for me to wrap my head around the possibility. I feel as if everything I thought I knew about myself is a lie.”

“What’s different, other than your paternity? You’re still you. Juniper Connelly. You still had the same wonderful mother. You’re still a passionate, driven professional trying your best to make your mark.”

She wasn’t even sure of that anymore.

“I came over to go through boxes with you, but I’ve got a better idea. My trailer is loaded up with that console table Iwas working on. I need to deliver it to a place in Jackson Hole. I planned to take it tomorrow, but how do you feel about a drive today? We could even grab a picnic lunch and head into Grand Teton National Park.”

“I might be pretty lousy company,” she said. “After last night, I’ll probably sleep the whole way.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” he said.

She had to admit she really didn’t want to be stuck here with her thoughts, and she didn’t want to go through more of Carson’s papers. Now that she was viewing them through a different lens, she couldn’t bring herself to read the journals, either, though she knew she might find the answers she was seeking.

“Sure. I’ve never been to Jackson. I’ve heard it’s a great town.”

“I think you will love it,” he said with a delighted smile. “I’ll go grab the truck and hitch the trailer and I’ll be back in twenty minutes to pick you up.”

“Do you need help?”

“No. I’ve got it.”

Before she could respond, he trotted down the steps, whistled to Hank and headed quickly back the way he had come, leaving June shaking her head.

Why had she agreed to go with him?

The idea of an entire day with Beck was both exhilarating and somewhat terrifying. She was already so drawn to him, and that attraction only grew stronger as she spent more time with him.

On the other hand, he had an uncanny ability to calm and center her. What would be the harm in going with him? She had wanted to see Grand Teton National Park while she was in Wyoming. This would provide the perfect opportunity.

She had already wasted five minutes of the limited time he had given her trying to make up her mind, she realized. Whatever happened to the decisive, no-nonsense professional she had always thought she was?

She would go. A distraction from the hamster wheel of her thoughts would be refreshing.

Final decision made, she hurried inside to shower and dress for the day and was pulling her hair into a loose updo when she heard his truck out front. A glance at her watch told her it had been exactly twenty minutes. There was something to be said for a man who kept his word with such precision.

She grabbed her cross-body purse and water bottle and hurried outside, locking the house behind her. An enclosed white trailer was hitched to his pickup truck. He smiled as he walked around the truck to help her inside, looking gorgeous and masculine.

What had she done?

Too late to back out now. She climbed inside and settled into the passenger seat, pulling on her seat belt as he walked back around to the driver’s side and climbed in.

“Glad you brought your water bottle,” he said, nodding as she found a space for it in one of the drink holders. “I have a cooler back there with more water, if you run out.”

“Thanks. I’m on orders to stay hydrated for my heart. I’m doing my best, but there are days I feel like I’m going to float away.”

“I hope you don’t. And on that note, if you need a rest stop, let me know. There are a few nice places along the way where we can stop.”

“Is it a long drive to Jackson Hole?”

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