After all, he’d waited a long time for this call. “Tell me.” “Her name is Hope Morningstar, and she possesses all the qualities you need. Perhaps not all you seek, but all you need. She bears the mark of Ireland on her soul. And she loves children.” From the background of Freya’s phone came, “What are you doing? I…I never said…” “Is that her? Is that Hope?” “Yes.” “Let me speak to her. Let me hear the sound of her voice.” God, don’t let her be loud and brassy. “There’s power in suspense, Declan. What are you in the middle of right now?” He glanced at his work bench, where he’d been sanding a table top. “I’m making tables for a customer. Why?” “Be at the Louisiana Mall in two hours. Your first meeting should be in a public place, don’t you think? Although I know you to be an upright man, Hope knows nothing of you. She’ll be understandably apprehensive.” “Of course.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know my history. You know I can’t take more lies and deceit.”
