Fairmont shook his head. “That’s quite a friend you’ve got there.” Now that she was alone with Mr. Fairmont, she felt more on edge and less inclined to friendly talk. “About those letters?” “Ah, yes.” A laugh floated out on a blast of breath. “I never dreamed Beth would keep them.” The can of mace grew warm in her hand. She leaned forward. “Mr. Fairmont, are you my father?” “Me?” The surprise on his face was impossible to fake. “Is that what you think?” Her voice shook when she answered. “I don’t know what to think. All my life my mother told me my father had died in a car accident. But then I found the box with the letters.” She lifted her free hand to press against her temple, where a pounding ache threatened. To her surprise, he leaned forward and laid a hand gently on her arm. “She was telling the truth.
