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kid. His parents were drunks and they didn’t care where he was. Jonas has been in trouble with the law since he was eight years old. He wouldn’t go to school. He wouldn’t do anything he was supposed to. He was wild and rebellious, and I won’t have my daughter associating with people like him.”
    Abby bit her tongue to keep words from tumbling out. She recognized that her mother was concerned, so she let the last remark pass. “Jonas has a past. So what? He seems to have matured. He has a good job and he’s responsible and dedicated. All the workers at Brewster Farms are crazy about him.”
    “Especially the women,” Gail said testily.
    Abby inhaled deeply, knowing exactly what her mother was getting at. “Yes, I’ve noticed that Jonas has an animal magnetism that attracts women. But I’m not looking for a man or that kind of relationship. After what Kyle did to me, I’d just as soon coast for a while. The only thing I’m interested in is finding Mr. Brewster’s daughter so I can hear what he has to say about Daddy.”
    “Brewster has agreed to tell you the truth?” Gail asked in a disbelieving tone.
    “Yes.”
    “And you trust him?”
    “No, but I’ll make sure he keeps his end of the bargain.”
    “Abby.” Gail sighed. “Nobody gets aroundBrewster. He’s in control at all times. If you think otherwise, you’re fooling yourself.”
    Abby stood and kissed her mom’s cheek. “I know what I’m doing. Trust me. Now, I’ve got to get dressed.” She started to walk away.
    “Abby,” Gail said.
    Abby stopped.
    “Please don’t get involved in this crazy scheme.”
    Abby let out a long regretful groan. “Mom, don’t do this to me.”
    “What? Try to make you see sense? I’m your mother. That’s what I do. But it’s never worked in the past, has it. You’ve always been so headstrong, making quick decisions without considering the consequences.”
    Abby knew exactly what her mother was talking about—her quick decision to marry Kyle. Still, she couldn’t give in to her mother’s wishes. Something inside Abby wouldn’t let the past go. She couldn’t explain it to Gail. She couldn’t even explain it to herself. All she knew was that she had made a deal with Simon Brewster and she had to keep it.
    When Abby didn’t speak, Gail entreated, “Let it go, Abby. Just let it go.”
    Abby bit her lip, then said, “I’m sorry, Mom. I can’t.”
     
    A N HOUR LATER Abby was on her way to her cousin’s office. Earl Turner was a lawyer, and she needed his help. Of course, she’d have to talk him into it, which she hoped wouldn’t take long.
    Earl was the son of her mother’s sister and five years older than Abby. They weren’t close, but they were family. Earl was the proverbial mama’s boy.He had never married and still lived with his mother. People teased him that he got his law degree through correspondence school because his mother wouldn’t allow him to leave home. In actual fact, he’d commuted to college and now he was the only lawyer in this small town. She couldn’t imagine why he’d never broken free and gone to a bigger city, but then, understanding Earl wasn’t one of her top priorities.
    Before Abby could enter Earl’s office, her friend Brenda came out of her beauty shop next door. They embraced.
    “It was so good seeing everyone the other night, wasn’t it?” Brenda asked, referring to the school reunion. Abby had reluctantly attended. Brenda’s brown hair had blond highlights and hung in a soft style around her face, which enhanced her brown eyes.
    “Yes, it was,” Abby admitted, glad she hadn’t lost touch with her friends from high school.
    “I can’t believe we’re all still around here. You’re the only one who ventured to the big city chasing that dream of yours.”
    Abby brushed her hair back. “Well, the dream blew up in my face.”
    “You’re not the first one of us to get a divorce. Candy, Deb and Miles have one behind them, and Barry’s on wife