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Chapter1
“Your labwork looks fantastic, Darcy.” Dr.Mona Reyes smiled and sank down onto the round rolling stool across from the exam table. “I can’t believe it’s been two years since your transplant. Your kidney numbers are perfect.”
Darcy forced her lips into a smile and hugged her arms over her green shirt. “Time has flown,” she said. She wanted to believe those words, but in truth, time had stopped eighteen months ago when her fiancé, Jace, died.
She sat up taller, steeling herself against the wave of grief that always seemed to lurk at the back of her mind, waiting to drag her under. She would never forgive herself for what happened to him.
The sound of Dr.Reyes scooting her stool over to the exam table jerked her from her thoughts. She took Darcy’s hand in hers. “What’s on your mind?”
With her dark hair, bright hazel eyes, and flawless, creamy skin, Dr.Reyes had become like a second mother to Darcy since she’d been diagnosed with kidney disease. Darcy was grateful for their heart-to-heart talks, which always helped settle her nerves and give her a new perspective on things.
“I always think of Jace when I think of the transplant. I’m so grateful for him.” She sniffed and swiped the back of her hand over her eyes.
Dr. Reyes patted her hand. “That’s natural. You’ll always miss him and love him. Just remember that he would be happy for your good health too.”
“I know you’re right.” Darcy tried to clear her throat past the lump that swelled there.
“Do you want to talk about how you’re feeling?”
Darcy shook her head. She was certain her doctor had better things to do—such as seeing more patients—than to hear about Darcy’s holding pattern of grief, regret, and guilt.
She held her breath, then released it as the truth spilled out of her. “I’ve been thinking about finding my biological mother.”
“I remember when you shared with me that you’re adopted.”
“My parents never hid that from me. And even though I love them and am so thankful for everything they’ve given me, I can’t help feeling that something is missing in my life. I wonder if I wouldn’t feel so hollowed out if I found my mother.” She fidgeted with the hem of her top.
Dr.Reyes nodded. “I know you’re anxious to find out if your kidney disease is hereditary.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, I might be able to help you.” Dr.Reyes wrote something on a piece of paper and then handed it to Darcy. “My best friend is adopted, and she contacted this not-for-profit agency when she wanted to find her parents.”
“Thank you.” Darcy studied the piece of paper, where Dr.Reyes had written down a website for an organization called Lost and Found. “I want to know where I came from, but I just don’t know how to talk to my parents about this without hurting them.”
“I think they’ll understand.”
Darcy leaned over and hugged her doctor. “You’re the best.”
“Back at you.” Dr.Reyes grinned. “Now, do you need any refills?”
They discussed the cocktail of medications Darcy would take for the rest of her life in order to keep her transplant viable. She often got tired of taking the medications, but she was grateful that they kept her new kidney healthy. Darcy thanked her doctor once again before heading toward the exit.
She stopped at the front desk to schedule her next six-month checkup before pulling on her suit jacket, shouldering her purse, and hurrying out toward the parking lot in front of the sprawling medical complex.
Her high heels clacked along the sidewalk, and the cool, early April breeze lifted strands of her long blonde hair off her shoulders. Birds sang in nearby trees while daffodils smiled up at the sun shining in the cloudless blue sky.
Darcy tried to shake off her murky mood, but it clung to her like a second skin as she weaved past the rows of cars on the way to her sedan. She pulled her phone from her back pocket and found no missed calls or messages waiting for her. She considered calling her mom to tell her about her appointment, but instead she pocketed her phone, not ready to talk to her mother just yet. She was on the way to an important meeting and had to mentally prepare herself.
Thoughts of Jace swirled in her head as she approached her royal-blue late-model Lexus LS 460 sedan. She unlocked the door using her key fob and climbed in, dropping her purse on the passenger seat. As she hit the push-button start, she tried dismissing her late fiancé from her mind, but she could still see his handsome face. His brilliant smile and those sky-blue eyes seemed impossible to forget.
She and Jace had made so many plans. They were going to be married right before Thanksgiving almost two years ago, and thanks to her good health, she’d hoped they would soon start a family. Being a mom had been her dream since she was a little girl playing with her first baby doll. In fact, when her friends had moved on to playing with Barbies, Darcy had stuck with her baby dolls instead of joining them.
Click. Click.
Darcy’s attention snapped back to her car. She hit the start button again.
Click. Click.
