Practice Makes Perfect by Kathryn Shay Page A

it would stop Ian’s badgering. “We’ll come right now.” Without looking at Ian, she followed Carol into the reception area.
    The place was packed. About fifty people had gathered to celebrate the opening of the new facility. Darcy was behind the reception table, looking cool and efficient in a slim suit, her hair drawn back in a soft chignon. Last night her hair had dangled down her back in wet strands, and her eyes had been troubled...
    Paige had stayed in the water a while, but Darcy was waiting when she climbed out. “Paige, I’m sorry. I know you don’t like to talk about the baby. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
    Dripping wet, drying her face in a towel, she’d said, “No, it’s okay. I just…”
    “What?”
    Unnerved, Paige had blurted, “I never knew it was a girl.”
    Darcy’s eyes had filled immediately. “I’m so sorry, Paige. I didn’t know. Or if I did, I forgot.”
    “That’s all right. Really. It’s no big deal…”
    Paige felt someone take her arm. “Come on, you need a baby-sitter today.” Ian pulled her with him. “You stopped right in the middle of the room.”
    “Ian, really, I’m fine.”
    “Yeah, and the sky is bright green.” They drew up close to the others. “Here we are.” He stepped into the group and brought Paige with him. She pasted on a smile for the camera.
    Later she talked to the reporter from the
Hyde Point Herald
about how glad she was to be part of the Center. Again it felt like a lie. After the interview she studied the literature for patients stacked on a table to the side, all the while wondering what the hell she was doing here. Birth-control pamphlets. Caring for a newborn. New mother’s health. On the bulletin board was an entire section of job opportunities available in and around Hyde Point.
    Her gaze landed on a discreet notice tucked in the corner. It advertised an organization called Right to Know or RTK. She read it. RTK was an adoption clearinghouse on the Internet, whose purpose was to unite birth parents with the children they’d given up. Paige sighed as she turned away from it. Damn, this place was full of reminders of her past. Glancing at her watch, she decided to leave. She’d been here for an adequate amount of time.
    Scanning the room, she saw Ian in the corner talking to a woman. About five-eight and dark haired, she wore a lovely Jones of New York dress—Paige recognized it—and a navy hat. She was gazing up at Ian, occasionally touching his arm, smiling as if he’d hung the moon. He gestured wildly as he told a story and laughed periodically.
    Paige crossed to them. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, but I’m leaving now, Ian. Thanks. This was a great kickoff.”
    “Just a sec. I want to introduce you to someone.”
    The woman turned. Classic features were paired with beautiful gray eyes.
    Familiar gray eyes.
    “Paige Kendrick, this is Lynne Chandler. Lynne, this is my baby doctor.”
    Chandler? Was Ian married? No, of course not. He openly dated. “Oh, you must be Ian’s sister.” That would account for the resemblance.
    Lynne smiled. “No, but thanks for the compliment.” The woman’s gaze darted to Ian, as if to check out his reaction.
    Paige was puzzled
    Casually Ian slid his arm around Lynne’s shoulders and tugged her close. “This is my mother, Paige.”
    “Your mother? I thought...” She glanced over at the picture of Elsa Moore hung prominently on the wall. “You said Elsa was your mother.”
    “She is,” Ian told her. “Lynne is my birth mother. I was adopted by my parents just after I was born.”
    “You...” Paige cleared her throat. “You’ve kept in touch?”
    “Yes. It was an open adoption. Lynne’s been a part of my life right from the day I was born.”
    Paige remembered some of his cryptic remarks.
    You don’t have their name.
    No, it’s a long story why.
    There are other personal reasons I’m opening the Center
.
    Once again Paige was surprised.
    Once again she didn’t