Page 43 of Someone Like You
Even though it was Saturday, he sat in his office, facing the floor-to-ceiling windows and his view of the Columbia River. He had fallen behind in work because of his time in Indiana. And all for what? Maddie had probably tossed his number in the trash on her way to her car that day. Yes, his time in Indianapolis had been a complete waste.
Unless the call had been from her.
But Dawson doubted that. Probably just his Uber driver telling him he’d forgotten his sweater. Dawson didn’t care. He was a Pacific Northwest boy. His closet was full of them. What he wanted was a call from Maddie.
He started an overdue email but after a few lines he looked up again. The river was deep blue today, dark becauseof the clouds overhead. This was the type of day he and London loved. They would jump on their Jet Skis or set out down the river in his speedboat.
Seeing Maddie West hadn’t done anything to help him stop missing London. He ached for her. Even if Maddie called, what was the point? He could tell her about London and Larry and Louise. He could share stories and photos with her. But at the end of the day nothing would change.
London would still be gone.
Music.That’s what he needed. He put a list of songs on shuffle and hit play. Sometimes he liked nothing more than the old songs. “The Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art.” Songs that had stood the test of time and still brought a person closer to Jesus.
An hour later he had sent four important emails. It was time to meet his dad for lunch across the river. Work was busy all around, so his father had been at the office catching up. They chose a quiet steak house, and Dawson was glad. He knew his father had concerns about his trip.
Once inside the restaurant, he saw his dad already at a table. Dawson crossed the room and the two of them hugged. Then Dawson slid into the spot across from his father. Dawson spoke first. “Caught up on some work today.”
“Me, too.” His dad nodded. “Closed the Williams deal.”
“Finally.” Dawson smiled. He took hold of his water and drank it half down. His eyes focused on the distant window. “Looks like rain.”
“Son.” His father’s eyes were on him, not wavering. “I don’t want to talk about the weather.” He took a slow breath. “Did you find her?”
Dawson didn’t have to ask what his father meant.Better to get the conversation over with. “Yes.” He finished his water. “She works at the Indianapolis Zoo, like I thought.”
“And?” The serious look in his dad’s eyes softened. “Did you talk to her?”
“Briefly.” His smile felt sad. “She was afraid of me. Thought I was stalking her.”
His father nodded. “I can imagine. You were there two days.”
“It took me that long to approach her.” Dawson sighed. “Dad … she’s a blond London. Looks just like her. Talks like her.”
“I wondered.” He anchored his forearms on the table. “Did you tell her about the Quinns?”
The waiter stopped at their table and told them the specials. He seemed to sense he’d interrupted. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
“Thanks.” His father smiled. Then he turned his eyes back to Dawson. “Did you?”
“I tried.” Dawson glanced up from the menu. “Dad … she didn’t seem to know she was adopted.”
His father sat back hard. “How could she not know?”
“Maybe her parents didn’t tell her.” Dawson felt terrible about the possibility. “Anyway, she knows now. I’m sure she left the zoo and called them on her way home. Told them about this weird guy who stalked her at work … and who wanted to talk to her about her biological family.”
“Poor girl.” His father clenched his jaw, the muscles working one way then the other. “Dawson … what if she wasn’t supposed to know? What’s the point?”
This was where Dawson had feared the conversation would go. “Louise and Larry have the right to find out what happened to their embryos.” He kept his voice calm.Anything much more than a whisper and the whole restaurant would hear him. “Don’t you think?”
“Let’s choose our lunch.” His dad pushed his glasses back up his nose and lifted the menu. “There’s more to talk about here.”
A minute later the waiter came back and they ordered.
His father leaned close across the table again, his voice soft. “Dawson … you can’t replace her.” He reached out and squeezed Dawson’s hand for a few seconds. “I think … if you’re honest with yourself … that’s at the heart of this whole thing. Finding London’s sister … tracking her down.” He paused. “Otherwise, I can’t see the point.”
This was the one thing Dawson hadn’t wanted to think about. The possibility that he had gone all the way to the Indianapolis Zoo to find a replacement for London. The very idea was appalling. He tried one more time. “I’m serious, Dad.” He smiled, as if that might help his case. “London’s parents deserve—”
“Dawson.” His father shook his head. “You told me Louise and Larry signed a deal. They would never go after the embryos, never try to find the family who adopted them. Right?” He hesitated. “Wasn’t that it?”
