We cant talk here, she said. Violet, you just have to come back to my condo. There are a million things I want to ask you. All right? Will you come?
Violet seemed to hesitate for a moment. Then she nodded. Okay.
Landon rose when they did, and Maddie gave him what was obviously a dismissive smile.
Thank you, Landon. I appreciate what you did to bring us together. Ill talk with you sometime soon. She turned away, heading for the door.
Violet was obviously startled by Maddies action. She started to follow and then turned back, giving him a shy smile.
Thank you, Landon. If I hadnt run into you, I might never have known I have a twin. She held out her hand, and he took it.
They stood for a moment, hands clasped, and it seemed to him they were making a promise. Confused by the sudden emotion, he smiled and stepped back. Hed been summarily dismissed, and he couldnt very well barge into Maddies condo to see what they did next.
But as he watched them walk out the door together, he knew this couldnt be the end of his involvement. Even if Violet were as genuine as she seemed, the situation still had the potential to explode, hurting the whole Wallace family. And if Violet were playing some game of her own
Well, even though their engagement had never been more than a formality, it was his duty to protect Maddie, and that was what he intended to do.
Chapter Two
Violet hurried outside to catch up with Maddie, her palm still tingling from Landons touch. That wouldnt do, she lectured herself. According to the dapper CEO, he wanted to marry Maddie.
Still wanted, hed said. That implied thered been an engagement between them, didnt it? So what had gone wrong for them?
On the face of it, Landon Derringer was quite a guyobviously handsome and sophisticated, apparently wealthy and successful. Still, Maddie knew him better than she did. There could be very good reasons why shed changed her mind about marrying him.
Maddie waited on the busy sidewalk and gestured down the street. This part of Fort Worth seemed to be a mix of businesses, professional offices and apartment buildings.
My condo is only a couple of blocks from here, so I walked. But maybe you want to take your car and park it there in the garage, rather than leave it on the street.
Yes, thanks. Violet went quickly to the SUV and opened the door to be greeted by a blast of heat. Texas-in-July heat. She switched on the ignition, turned the air on full blast, and rolled the windows down as Maddie got in. Sorry its so stifling. It should cool off pretty fast.
No problem. I was born here, remember? Im used to it. Maddie shook her head, her silky hair swaying. She wore it in a shoulder-length cut that had obviously been done by a professional, since the style fell back into place with every movement.
Violet couldnt help touching her ponytail. Would her hair look that way with the right cut? Maybe so, but she couldnt afford to find out. Anyway, the ponytail was a lot more practical for the life she led.
She checked the rearview mirror and pulled out into traffic. In the mirror she could also glimpse Landon Derringer, still standing by the coffee-shop door.
We both were born here, Violet said, still trying to understand what was happening to her. Do you think your friend will really be able to find the records?
Probably. He has the connections, if anyone does. Maddies nose crinkled. I wish hed butt out, but knowing Landon, he wont.
Violet hesitated for a moment before asking the question in her mind. When he first saw me, Landon thought I was you. He said he still wanted to marry me. You, I mean. She was probably blushing.
Maddie shrugged, a quick, graceful movement. I ought to tell you about it, I guess. Landon and I were engaged, but it was a mistake. Now were not. End of story.
It couldnt be all there was. Violet knew there had to be a lot more to the engagement and the breakup than that, but if Maddie didnt want to tell her, she wouldnt pry.
Just past this next corner, Maddie said. Turn right into the basement garage.
Violet followed her directions, turning into an underground parking garage. She parked the car where Maddie indicated and walked beside her, their footsteps echoing on the concrete floor. They stepped into an elevator that lifted them soundlessly to the third floor.
Right over here. Maddie pulled out keys as she spoke, going quickly down the carpeted hallway to the second door. She unlocked it and led the way into a condo.
So this fancy place was where her twin lived. It looked like a magazine spread.
This is lovely. Violet stepped into the living room, which had a dining area on one end and an open counter, beyond which was a small kitchen. Spacious and trendy, with sleek leather furniture and vibrant paintings on the walls, the living room had a bank of glass doors leading onto a balcony that overlooked the city.
Maddie looked around, as if surprised by her comment. I guess it is. Dad helped me buy this place when I decided to get out on my own.
Dad. The casual word echoed in Violets mind. Was Maddies father her father, too? He must be, for them to be identical twins. She realized she was still trying to wrap her mind around that one fact.
Whats your father like?
Maddie crossed the Berber carpet to a glass-topped table that held a series of photos in silver frames. She picked one up, holding it out.
Violet took the photo and stared at three pictured faces. The older man had to be Maddies father. Her father. He had a chiseled face and dark brown eyes with a somber expression. Remotethat was how he looked.
The other two were younger. She stared at one of the pictured faces and felt the room spin around.
Who is that? She pointed to the face.
Maddie looked at her oddly. Are you okay? Thats just my older brother, Grayson.
Violet shook her head, pulling her cell phone out of her bag and flipping through the photos until she found the one she wanted. This is my older brother. Jack. She handed it to Maddie, knowing shed see what Violet meant at once. The faces were identical.
Maddie stared at the photo for a long moment. She sank down onto the nearest sofa, looking shell-shocked. I feel as if Ive wandered into a science-fiction movie.
Violet sat down next to her. Me, too. Two sets of identical twins? Itsits just crazy.
Thats the right word for it, Maddie agreed, shaking her head in disbelief.
Who is the other person? Violet pointed to the third man in the framed photo.
My younger brother, Carter. Maddie looked at her. Please dont tell me you have an identical younger brother. That would be too much. Id be ready for the funny farm.
Violet managed a smile. I dont have any younger siblings at all.
Violet managed a smile. I dont have any younger siblings at all.
Thats a relief. Maddie flushed. I meanI didnt mean that Im glad you dont have younger siblings. Or that Im not glad to have found you. Its just
Yes. I know. Violet rubbed her forehead. Maybe if she werent so tired, she could think this through better. So what do we make of this? We must have the same parents in order to be identical, to say nothing of Jack and Grayson being identical. So my mother and your dad were together at one time, and they had two sets of twins. Thats what were saying, isnt it?
I guess so. Maddie was staring at the photo shed identified as being her younger brother. But that must mean Carter is my half brother. I remember when he was born. It never occurred to me that Mom wasnt my mother, too.
Violet could hear the hurt in Maddies voice, and it seemed to echo in her heart. There were too many complications for her to grapple with. What about your dad? He has to know the answers to this. Cant we go and see him? Her heart gave an extra thump at the thought of actually seeing her birth father.
But Maddie was shaking her head. Hes not within reach, Im afraid. Dads a doctor. Right now hes on a mission trip, and he said he wouldnt be in cell-phone range most of the time. Not that we talk all that much, anyway. Maddie shrugged. If youre picturing an old-fashioned, doting, emotionally engaged father, forget it. Dads more involved with his patients than with his kids.
Im sorry. She reached out to touch Maddies hand, responding to the pain in her voice. But there must be some way of reaching him in an emergency. Well go nuts if we dont find some answers.
I can send an email. He is able to pick those up occasionally. But before I do that, tell me about your mother. Our mother. You said we look like her.
Violet flipped through the cell phone photos again, stopping at one she especially liked. Belle was leaning against a corral fence, wearing her usual jeans, plaid shirt and boots, her head tilted back, smiling with that pleasure she always seemed to take in whatever she was doing at the moment. Violet touched the image. Shed give a lot to see her mom looking like that again. She handed the phone to Maddie.
Oh. Maddie touched the image, just as Violet had. She wiped away a tear. We are like her, arent we? Its funny to look at her and know what Ill look like in twenty years or so. Shes beautiful.
Yes. But right now
You said shed been in an accident. Maddie rushed her words. How bad is it?
Bad. Violet swallowed the tears that wanted to spill out. Her horse stepped in a hole, and she fell. Mom has a head injury. They were able to get help right away, but it was serious. Her voice thickened. At first they didnt think shed live, but she was tough enough to survive the surgery. Nowwell, now they dont know if shell ever wake up.
Maddies hand closed on hers, the grip tight and imperative. I have to see her. Please, Violet. Shes my mother, and Ive never seen her, and if she doesnt make it Her voice broke. Can I go back with you?
The enormity of the request hit Violet. If she took Maddie home with her, took her to see her mom, how on earth was she going to explain her?
I know what youre thinking, Maddie said softly. That would bring this craziness out in the open for sure. But if I dont see her
Its okay. Shed figure out the explanations somehow. Why dont you pack a bag? You can follow me back to the ranch. You probably want your own car there.
Maddie jumped to her feet. It wont take me a minute. Make yourself at home. Help yourself to the fridge. You must be tired and hungry.