Page 98 of The Lost Book of First Loves

“Not at all. But I have watched you analyze every decision. You prefer verifiable facts.”

“Anyone would,” Beck said.

“I can bring the tests over tomorrow if you want and you can be the one to send them in, either to the lab I contacted or to any other one you want.”

“You don’t think it’s necessary, though.”

Alison shrugged. “I’ve seen all the DNA results I need to see. I know you’re my half sister. Somehow in the past, our parents connected. We know they did because your mother had a signed copy of Dad’s first book. He must have given it to her.”

“If what you’re saying is true, apparently that wasn’t the only thing he gave her,” June muttered.

Beck made a sound that might have been a surprised laugh. He quickly masked it by sipping at the wine he had carried inside.

“I’m sorry to hit you with this,” Ali said again. “Believe me, it was all a huge shock to me, too, but I’ve had several months to come to terms with it.”

“For what it’s worth,” Beckett offered in a calm voice, “I don’t believe Carson knew you existed.”

“You can’t know that.”

“Not for certain. But I knew the man. At his core, Carson was one of the most honorable people I ever met. If he had known about you, I believe he would have done everything possible to fight for a role in your life. He certainly would never have let you go into the foster care system after your mother died.”

Oh, how she had longed for family after Elizabeth’s death. Stella had been wonderful and kind and loving and she felt extraordinarily fortunate to have found a safe home with her. Still, June had always known her time in Cape Sanctuary was temporary.

“It’s also possible your mother didn’t know you were Carson’s child, either,” he went on, his voice gentle now.

“My mother was not the sort of woman to sleep around,” she said sharply.

“I didn’t say she was. But she was married to another man at the time you were conceived. Wouldn’t it have been natural for her to assume you were her husband’s child?”

Possibly. Did that explain why she hadn’t told Carson she was pregnant?

She felt as if she were caught in a hurricane, being buffeted around and around. Her mother had been the foundation of her life, her rock. If all of this was true, how could Elizabeth have kept something so huge from her?

“That’s the reason you brought me here to recover. So you could find a way to tell me you think we’re... we’re half sisters?”

Ali gave a rueful nod. “Partly, I guess. Your doctor said you needed peace and quiet during your recovery. The ranch has acres and acres where you can have all the peace and quiet anyone might need. I was coming home, anyway, and inviting you here seemed like the right thing to do.”

She reached for June’s hand, her fingers warm against June’s colder one. “Plus, I thought Dad would have wanted you to stay here in his writing cabin. He didn’t know about you while he was alive. But if he had known, I know he would have wanted to help you.”

She felt lightheaded from the wild tumult of emotions crowding through her. Carson Wells might be her father. This ranch she had come to love might be part of her heritage. She couldn’t soak it all in.

“Obviously, you will need some time to process everything.” Ali released her hand and stood.

“It’s a lot.”

“I know. I’m sorry. And I’m leaving tomorrow with Xander. The timing is terrible, I know. As soon as we’re back in town, I’ll come over with the new DNA tests, if that’s okay.”

When June didn’t answer, Ali looked uncertain. “Unless you would rather I not go,” she said. “I can reschedule this trip with Xander.”

“Why would you do that?”

“I don’t know. I feel weird about dumping this on you and then taking off. I can stay so we can talk more about it, if you want.”

“What else is there to say? You think I’m your sister. I won’t be convinced until I can see the results myself.”

Ali touched her shoulder. “I know this has been a shock to you and probably changes everything you thought you knew about yourself. I’m sorry for that, but you should also know that I already love having you for a sister.”

A sister. She blinked, suddenly feeling the burn of tears again. She had longed for a sister most of her life, had been so envious of all her friends who had siblings.

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