A Mother's Secret. Gabrielle Meyer

interested in marrying her. So why did she remain single?

      They didn’t speak the entire way back to Bee Tree Hill.

      Chase pulled into the circle drive and parked the Jeep near the front door. When he turned off the engine, they sat in silence for a heartbeat before they spoke at the same time.

      “Who is Tom?”

      “Tom is an old friend.”

      Again, silence.

      “How long have you known him?” Chase asked.

      She shrugged. “Since I was in high school. We dated on and off, but then the summer you came...” Her words trailed away.

      “Did you connect with him after I left?”

      Joy’s fists rested on her knees and she let out a sigh. “I would rather not discuss it.”

      She opened the door and reached into the back to grab a couple gallons of paint, and then went into the mansion.

      Chase sat in the Jeep for another minute wishing he could turn back the clock and do everything differently. He wanted to ask Joy if Tom was the father of her twins, but he suspected he already knew the truth.

      They looked just like the overly friendly lawyer.