Eve sat back, staring at the screen.
Why wouldn’t there be a name? People didn’t just disappear from public record like that unless someone went to great lengths to erase them.
She wondered if she could access death records somehow. Public records. Archives.
“Eve?”
Eve jumped, her hand flying to her chest.
Mia stood in the doorway between their rooms, wrapped in a soft robe, her hair loose around her shoulders.
Eve smiled and closed the laptop. “Hi. Can’t sleep?”
“No.” Mia shook her head.
Eve scooted over on the bed, making room. “Come here.”
Mia climbed onto the bed and settled beside her, pulling her knees up to her chest. “I keep thinking about that dream I had last night.”
“Want to talk about it?” Eve asked. She’d meant to ask about it all day but hadn’t found the right moment.
Mia was quiet for a long moment, her gaze distant. “I was flying through the air. Like I’d been thrown or launched. And I was calling for my father.”
Eve’s chest tightened. “Could you see his face?”
“No,” Mia said softly. “I couldn’t see him at all. Just heard my own voice calling ‘Daddy’ over and over.”
“Do you remember anything else about him?” Eve asked carefully. “From when you were younger?”
Mia shook her head. “Nothing. It’s like he’s just... blank. A space where a person should be.”
“What about the man who came for you on the bike?” Eve asked. “In the dream?”
“I don’t know,” Mia said. “I can’t see his face either. Just the feeling of being scared and Tyson barking.”
“Tyson?”
Mia’s eyes widened slightly. “The dog. I had a Cane Corso named Tyson.” She looked at Eve with something like wonder. “I’d completely forgotten about him until just now. He was huge and protective, and I loved him so much.” Her expression fell. “I was very upset when I had to leave him behind. He couldn’t come with us when we left.” She frowned, her brow furrowing. Then her eyes widened. “Mom gave him to William.”
Eve’s pulse quickened. “So your mother knew William from St. Augustine?”
Mia nodded slowly. “I think so. Although I’m not sure. Mom never said.”
“Why didn’t you ever ask your mother about your father?” Eve asked gently.
“I did,” Mia said. “Numerous times. But she always just said that sometimes families separate.” She looked at Eve with questions in her eyes. “Did Mom ever talk to you about my father?”
“No,” Eve admitted. “I asked a few times over the years, but she always changed the subject.” She paused. “I wonder why she didn’t even keep pictures of him.”
“I don’t know,” Mia said. “I don’t know his name… I can’t remember it.” Her eyes clouded. “I don’t even have his last name, and he’s not even on my birth certificate. It’s like he just vanished into thin air or never existed at all.” Her eyes widened with sudden alarm. “Do you think that’s why she doesn’t talkabout him?” The alarm grew. “Oh my word. What if Mom was never married and I’m a child that?—”
“No way,” Eve cut her off firmly. “No. Your mother assured me that your father left you, and I think William has said that once or twice as well when I’ve asked him if he knew who your father was. He would just say...”
“Not someone Mary ever wanted to discuss,” Mia finished with her.
Eve looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Ah, so you asked William as well.”
“Guilty,” Mia admitted. “When we went to England that first time, I noticed my father’s name wasn’t on the birth certificate. When I got back, I asked William since he’s known us the longest.”
