The Homecoming Read Online Free PDF Page B

you look as if your last friend in the world just died.”
    Danny looked at her strangely. “Actually, it’s the very opposite of that.”
    She was intrigued by the statement, and by the air of melancholy that surrounded the handsome man. She’d noticed even through yesterday’s somewhat muddled impressions that Danny rarely smiled. The corners of his mouth turned up a little when somethingamused him, but his expressions were nearly all variations on a sober theme. What could make a man look like that?
    â€œI’m sorry,” Danny was saying. “You have enough to worry about. How’s your head feeling?”
    But she wasn’t going to abandon his moment of sharing, regardless of whether he regretted it. Danny needed someone to talk to, she was certain. It would be a small thing to do in return for what he’d done for her. “My head’s fine,” she said firmly. “Tell me what you meant about your friend.”
    Danny hesitated. One long finger traced the rim of his saucer over and over in a gesture she doubted he even knew he was making. “When I was six years old,” he said at last, “my best friend was abducted. A man took him right out of my front yard.”
    She was horrified both by the revelation and by what he hadn’t said. “Did you see it happen?” she asked carefully.
    He nodded.
    â€œOh, dear heaven.” Without thinking she reached out and placed her hand atop his. “I’m so sorry.”
    He looked surprised as his gaze locked on her face. “Thank you,” he said. “It was a tough thing to go through.”
    â€œI can’t imagine,” she responded. When he didn’t speak, she prompted, “You said you had some good news.”
    He nodded. “Apparently, my friend has been found alive. He was living under another name.”
    â€œWow.” Realizing she was still holding his hand, she released him and tried unobtrusively to draw her own hand back across the table. “That is good news.”
    â€œYes, but he’s been accused of being involved in a kidnapping ring.”
    She shook her head, speechless. Every time he revealed something new, she was sure her mouth was hanging open. “Well,” she finally said, “I can see why you aren’t sure it’s good news. Does his family know?”
    â€œTrent didn’t say. But I’m sure they must. That’s part of what’s so awful. They held a funeral for him—or at least for a child they thought was him—years ago. And the kidnapping ring has been targeting an adoption and fertility clinic called Children’s Connection, which his parents, the Logans, have supported in a big way.”
    Children’s Connection. The name hit her like a bolt from a clear blue sky. She must have made some sound or expression of shock, because Danny leaned forward, looking alarmed. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œChildren’s Connection is in Portland. Attached to the hospital.”
    This time he was the one who took her hand in a strong grip. “That’s right! You remember that? What else?”
    â€œI—I’m not from Portland, I’m from Washington state. But I moved to Portland several years ago.” She felt as if she were swimming underwater with her eyes open, seeing things with the blurred vision the water produced. “And I’m Sydney, Sydney…Aston!” she said triumphantly.
    Danny was squeezing her hand tightly and she turned her fingers up without thinking and laced them through his. “That’s terrific,” he said. “You’re remembering.”
    He didn’t sound entirely surprised, and she paused in the middle of the returning memories to glance at him. “You knew already, didn’t you?”
    â€œOnly your name,” he said. “I didn’t know you lived in Portland. That’s interesting. My family is from