Free A Time to Forgive and Promise Forever by Marta Perry Page B

footstep sounded, and Adam came through the French doors. The room behind him, lit only by the small desk lamp, was empty. His father must have left while she’d stood there crying. She pressed her hands against the railing, trying to regain control.
    Adam took another step, then stopped abruptly. “Tory. I didn’t realize you were out here. You look like a ghost in that white dress.”
    â€œI’m sorry if I startled you. I came out for a breath of air.” To her dismay, her voice was thick with tears.
    Adam was at her side in a moment. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
    She’d asked herself what she should do with her knowledge, but there was really only one possible answer. She had to tell him. But how?
    Maybe the only way was to blurt it out.
    â€œI heard you and your father talking.”
    He stiffened as if she’d struck him. “Eavesdropping, Tory?”
    â€œI didn’t mean—” She could hardly claim that. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to listen.”
    â€œThen why did you? You could have walked away.” Contempt edged his voice.
    She took a breath. She should have known from the beginning that this foolish plan of hers would never work—that she would fail her mother in this, too. “Because you were talking about my mother.”
    Adam’s silence was probably shock.
    â€œYour mother was Emily Brandeis.”
    â€œYes.”
    The evening was so still she heard the intake of his breath, caught the faint splash of something moving out in the marsh. Then the breeze picked up again, fanning her hot cheeks and rustling the spartina grass.
    â€œI don’t understand.” At least there wasn’t anger in his voice, not yet. He took a step closer, his hand on the rail, his gaze intent on her face in the dim light. “Did you know the connection when you came here?”
    â€œI knew.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me?” Anger spurted through his words, scalding her.
    â€œI’m telling you now.”
    â€œYou should have told me the day we met.”
    Of course he’d think that. “It was all so complicated. What was I supposed to do that first day in the church? Announce that I was here to repair the windows and, by the way, my mother was involved in the disappearance of the dolphin?”
    â€œThat would have been better than hiding it from all of us.”
    â€œI didn’t know enough, don’t you understand that?” She wanted to grasp him and make him believe her, but she couldn’t. “I had to try and find out where you stood before I could tell you anything.”
    He shook his head. “This is crazy.” Something sharpened in his tone. “Did you talk my mother-in-law into this commission just so you could come here?”
    â€œOf course not.” She should have realized he’dassume the worst. “She’d already decided on the window. I had nothing to do with that. But when I saw her ad for someone to work at the Caldwell Cove church, I felt as if it was meant.”
    â€œMeant.” He repeated the word heavily. “Why? What possible reason could you have for coming to the island? Don’t tell me you’ve finally decided to give the dolphin back.”
    Her nails bit into her palms. He’d never believe her, and he’d probably use this as an excuse to stop work on the windows. She couldn’t blame him.
    â€œYou have to understand.” She said the words slowly, hoping against hope he’d hear the truth in them. “I can’t give the dolphin back. I don’t have it. I never did. My mother didn’t take it off the island.”
    There was silence again, but this time sheer disbelief emanated from him. It hurt more than she’d have thought possible.
    â€œHow can I believe that?” Adam flung out his hand toward the study door. “You were listening. You heard what my father said.”
    â€œShe