“They would like you to use a doctor on a pre-approved list. I’ve got a similar list I use too, so understand that. In fact, one of these doctors here on the list is a woman I’ve worked with on paternity tests before. She’s professional and has a very good reputation. They’ve offered to pay the cost of the test.”

“No. How much is a test like that?”

“It’s common for the male to pay the cost of the test, Gillian. Something like this will cost about eight hundred dollars.”

Well, now, that was a different story. “Ouch. Fine. Whatever. Just let’s do this so we can be done.”

“It’s just a process. Think of it that way. The father is an affluent and therefore powerful person. His attorneys are paid well to protect him from any false claims. Step by step, we do this right so we can do what is best for Miles. I know you want that, and since this guy is being an ass, you’re going to have to do the bulk of the responsible stuff here.”

Someone had to be the adult, but why the hell did it always have to be her? She growled and crossed her arms over her chest. “What do we need to do then?”

Erin looked at the GPS and then at the number on the mailbox. This was it. She turned up the long drive. A craftsman-style house. Well-used basketball hoop on the garage.

Current value of this place with the sweeping view of the water with trees all around sat at a hell of a lot more than she’d paid for it originally some thirteen years before.

That’s what had really convinced Erin the woman wasn’t bullshitting. She didn’t know if the woman had been lied to about Adrian being the dad of the kid. Whatever the case, Gillian Forrester believed what she’d said to Adrian.

Erin knew when she saw the woman had dug herself into a place and built a life. Knew a woman like this wasn’t the type to be looking to con her brother into a payoff to keep her quiet. A family lived in this house and had for a long time.

There were lawyers involved now. They’d built a moat around Adrian, which Erin approved of. Her brother was a good-hearted man, and she wanted him to be protected.

At the same time, Erin felt like the process was spinning out of control, into acrimony where perhaps none was needed.

So she’d left Alexander with Ben and Todd, who had finally relented to let her go see Gillian after they’d gone over her background check once more. And she’d gotten on the ferry and set about seeing Gillian for herself.

From the other side of the door Erin heard Kings of Leon and smiled despite herself. One of Adrian’s favorite bands. A sign perhaps.

Erin knocked and heard the sound of someone moving toward the front door.

And that was the first time Erin clapped eyes on Gillian Forrester.

Pretty. Dark hair. Bangs that fringed big brown eyes. Her lips drew into a bow, complete with dimple at the far corner of her mouth. Petite, she wore flats and a pair of ridiculously adorable skinny-legged pants with a lovely cream-colored sweater.

Her smile was warm for several moments. “Yes?”

“I’m Erin Brown. Adrian’s sister.”

The easy smile went away, replaced by a calm façade. “Why are you here? You’re not supposed to contact me. Your brother made sure I knew this when he had his lawyers inform me so. In writing. Served by my attorney. It was a lovely memory.”

Erin knew she deserved this anger on one level. Adrian was so nervous and thrown off balance by this he’d pulled away from everyone and had been writing music nonstop. Erin and Brody had agreed to let him until they got the answers they needed. But this woman, if she was telling the truth, had taken a huge risk and had received nothing but grief in return.

“I wanted to see you myself. Wanted to see if perhaps I couldn’t smooth the way a little should the test come back positive. May I come in? He’s not here, is he? I checked the middle school schedule and he’s not due home until after three. That really sounds stalkery of me. I just wanted to be sure . . . well, naturally I’d love to meet him, but I wouldn’t do it without arranging it with you in advance.”

“He’s not here, no. He has math club after school today so I have to run to pick him up later on.”

Erin took a step into the house and saw them. Pictures of the boy all over the walls. It was a punch to the gut, just how much he looked like Alexander. And Adrian. A sense of longing to know him and give him the Brown love he’d been missing.

But also the realization that if Erin was in this woman’s place, she’d be freaked the f**k out.

“And I can see the test will come back positive. Christ.” She dug in her bag and pulled out a small photo album. “This is my son, Alexander.”

Gillian leaned forward and her eyes widened a little. “He’s beautiful. Is this recent?”

“This one was just two weeks ago. Miles is clearly my nephew. One only has to look at him to see it. My god. He looks so much like Brody here.” She moved to one where the boy must have been eight or nine, holding a cat, grinning at the camera.

“That’s Fat Lucy, she’s only one of his strays. We have four cats he’s picked up along the way. A turtle. We had a dog but he passed on two years ago.”

In that face, Erin saw love. So much love she felt a deep affinity for the woman. This was a mother and Erin wanted her to know she wouldn’t threaten that.

“He brings home stray animals?”

Gillian’s smile was back. “Yeah. He’s hopeless and I am weak against it. He’s just got so much love to give.” She focused on Erin, intent. “This is why I went to your brother. How can I keep him all to myself?”