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this man.
    He motioned for her to walk into the large living room. As she passed him, she waved her purse in front of him. “I brought a small bag so there won’t be that awkward moment of you asking to search it before I leave. This will make it so much harder for me to steal the family silver, though.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t have been awkward.”
    â€œYou really are a lawyer.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?” he asked.
    â€œYou’re not afraid to say what you think, you don’t worry about insulting me and you’re determined to see me as nothing more significant than lint. That takes a lot of training.”
    â€œOr the right motivation.”
    The room was done in earth tones. The comfortable furnishings had an air of grace. The paintings looked original, the carpets thick enough to sleep on, yet there were a few toys scattered around. This was not a room for show. People lived here and she liked that.
    Dani turned to take it all in, then noticed a woman in a white coat perched on the edge of a sofa. She rose and walked over to them.
    â€œWhenever you’re ready,” the woman said.
    Ready for what?
    Oh, right. “DNA test?” Dani asked. “You’re not wasting any time.”
    â€œDo you want me to?” Alex asked.
    Instead of answering, Dani turned to the woman. “Swab away.”
    She opened her mouth and the lab tech stroked the inside of her cheek with a cotton swab. Seconds later she was done and on her way. Dani stared after her.
    â€œLet me guess. You’re paying extra for a speedy result?”
    â€œIt seemed the smart thing to do.”
    She felt exhausted by the roller coaster of emotion she’d been through that day. There was enough stress in the situation without fighting with Alex, too.
    â€œI want to know the truth,” she told him. “Nothing more. If Mark Canfield isn’t my father, then I’ll disappear and we can all pretend this didn’t happen.”
    Alex didn’t look convinced. “You could have stayed away in the first place.”
    â€œI want to know my father. Even you must be human enough to understand that.”
    â€œI’ve already told you, I find your timing a little too convenient.”
    â€œI just got the information recently. All I want is to figure out where I belong.”
    He didn’t actually say “not here,” but the words echoed in the quiet room.
    Despite them, Alex motioned for her to sit on the sofa. “Do you want something to drink?”
    â€œNo, thanks.” Her stomach was too unsettled from nerves.
    â€œThey aren’t telling the children. Not until the test results are back. You’re going to have to go another few days before you can claim your glory.”
    She’d been about to sit. Now she straightened. “Dammit, Alex, that’s enough. You’re pushing me for no reason. I’ve committed no crime. I’ve been totally honest and up-front. The fact that you choose not to believe me doesn’t change the truth. You’re going to have to back off or we’re going to have a problem.”
    He folded his arms across his chest. “We already do. I don’t trust you. There’s nothing you can say to make me want to try.”
    She narrowed her gaze. Part of her respected his stubborn determination to protect what was his. Part of her wanted to back the car over him.
    â€œThen let’s try this another way. How about you let me get close to screwing up before you bite my head off?”
    She had no idea if he would accept her offer. She found herself hoping he would and not just because she might be related to his father. Something inside of her wanted Alex to like her. A dangerous possibility, she thought, given her history in the romance department and her potential, non-biological family link with Alex.
    â€œHow close?” he asked finally.
    â€œWithin sight of, but not actually