His shoulders and chest were broad beneath the black wool coat he wore, but it was his eyes that captured her attention. They were a striking light blue, framed by thick dark lashes, and they seemed to take in everything about her in one swift assessment.
"Your sister is waiting for us in one of the study rooms," Jude said, gesturing toward the interior of the library. "Dr. Reeves is with her as well. She'll be handling the DNA test."
Angela nodded, trying to find her voice. "Thank you for coming all this way."
"It's no trouble," he replied, his tone neutral but not unkind.
As they walked through the library, Angela was acutely aware of Jude beside her. He moved with a quiet confidence that made her feel even more uncertain about herself. His presence filled the space around them, and she found herself stealing glances at his profile.
"How long have you lived in Briar Hollow?" he asked, his voice low to respect the library's atmosphere, even though it was empty at the moment.
"Just over two years," Angela replied, wrapping her arms across her waist. "We moved here after we left the homestead. About a year after Sandra died."
“Was she good to you?”
That was such a difficult question to answer. Had Sandra been better than Jim? Yes. Had she been as good as the mothers in the books Angela had been allowed to read back then? No.
“She took care of us,” Angela said. “She taught us many practical things. It was because of what she taught me that I was able to get a job in the bakery.”
They reached a small study room where Kiara sat across from an older woman with silver hair pulled back in a neat bun. The woman wore professional attire and had kind eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses.
"Angie!" Kiara stood immediately, her relief evident. "This is Dr. Reeves."
The older woman rose and extended her hand with a warm smile. "Angela, it's so nice to meet you. I'm Dr. Patricia Reeves. I'll be handling your DNA collection today."
Angela shook her hand, realizing at that moment, she had passed the point of no return.
CHAPTER FOUR
Jude fought to keep control of his emotions as he sat down across from Angela… Angelica. If he’d had any doubts about whether she was Annie’s twin, they’d been dispelled when he’d laid eyes on her in person for the first time.
Though there were a few differences, Angela’s similarity to Annie was overwhelming.
The last time he’d seen Angelica had been right before she’d been kidnapped. He’d been fourteen, and she’d been three. The jump from that little girl to this woman in her late twenties would have been jarring, had he not seen Annie transition through those years.
The resemblance to Annie was uncanny—from the delicate curve of her cheekbones to the unique blue-green of her eyes. Even the way she tucked her hair behind her ear mirrored Annie's habit.
But where Annie carried herself with the confidence that came from a life of privilege and security, this woman seemed to fold inward, as if trying to take up as little space as possible.
"This procedure is quite simple," Dr. Reeves explained, opening her case. "Just a cheek swab that takes seconds."
Angela nodded, her eyes flicking briefly to Jude before settling back on the doctor. That brief glance held wariness, and Jude wondered what her life had truly been like with Jim and Sandra.
He supposed that he’d always hoped that because Sandra had been Angelica’s nanny, she would have cared for her with loveand concern. Jim… well, he’d been a brash, often cocky, man when they’d worked together.
As he watched Angelica, he got the feeling that his hope that she had been in a loving, stable home had been misplaced.
"After we collect the sample," Jude said, keeping his voice gentle, "we'll rush the analysis. We should have the results within forty-eight hours."
"That fast?" Kiara asked, leaning forward with interest. "I thought these things took weeks."
"We have… connections to expedite the process," Jude replied carefully.
Dr. Reeves efficiently completed the DNA collection, sealing the sample in a sterile container.
"All done," she said with a reassuring smile. "I'll have this to the lab within the hour."
Angela touched her cheek. "What happens now?"
