A tall blonde woman followed her out the door, and Jesse could see that Carolyn Waters looked exactly like the age-progressed photo of Jordan.
Memphis used her chin to point to Jesse standing across the street.
For a long moment, Carolyn stared at him with a bewildered expression.
Memphis took a few steps until she stood next to Carolyn and said something to her that Jesse couldn’t hear.
Carolyn continued to stare, her gaze crashing into his and sending a jolt down his spine when he realized her eyes were familiar. He was walking across the street to her before he decided to go, stopping a foot from where she stood on the sidewalk, wanting a better look at her eyes.
“Do you know who I am?” He studied her intently and let out a choked sound when he noticed a mole on her neck that mirrored one he remembered on Jordan’s.
“Jesse?” she whispered.
He reached for her at the same second she reached for him. Jesse held her so tightly, he feared he might hurt her, but he couldn’t bring himself to let go now that he’d finally found her.
“What is happening?” she asked. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve been looking for you for twenty-six years.”
“Looking for me? How do I know you? I’m so confused.”
Keeping his hands on her shoulders, he took a step back so he could see her face. “I’m your brother. Jesse Best. Your name is Jordan Best, and you were abducted from the home of our grandparents in West Virginia twenty-six years ago.”
“Abducted? What’re you talking about?”
“Is there somewhere we could go and talk?” Memphis asked.
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
“I know this is a shock,” Jesse said, “but I swear to God, I’m telling you the truth. Please give me a few minutes to explain.”
While he waited for her to say something, his heart beat so hard, he feared it might burst from his chest. Here, after all these years, was his Jordan. He’d finally found her. For the first time in all the years she’d been gone, he could at least confirm she was still alive. What happened next was anyone’s guess.
“Carolyn,” Memphis said gently, “you should hear what Jesse has to say. It’s very important. Could we go somewhere to speak privately?”
She gave a quick nod and led the way into the coffee shop, which was closed for the day, while the flower side remained open.
Jesse helped Memphis into a chair and then sat next to her while Carolyn sat across from them.
“How do you know who I am?” Carolyn asked.
“I had an age-progressed photo of my missing sister done by an artist, and I’ve publicized the photo. I received a tip that someone who looks like the person in the picture lived here in Lewisburg. So I came here to see if you were Jordan. I honestly wasn’t sure until I saw your eyes, which haven’t changed, and the mole on your neck right there.” He pointed to his own neck to indicate where hers was. “It’s in the exact same spot as Jordan’s. She always hated that mole. She said it looked like a?—”
They both said “polka dot” at the same time.
“I know you, but I don’t know you. I don’t understand any of this.”
“Is there someone you could call to be with you while we explain?” Memphis asked.
Jesse was incredibly grateful for her presence as he navigated this surreal situation. All he wanted to do was stare at Jordan, but he forced himself not to do that lest he scare her off with his intensity.
“My husband. I’ll text him.”
“We can wait for him to get here,” Memphis said.
Carolyn took her cell phone from her pocket and sent the text. “He’s on his way to pick up the kids at his parents’ house, but he’ll stop here.” Her hands trembled as she held the phone, then she placed it on the table and put her hands between her knees.
“Could I show you some photos while we wait?” Jesse asked.
