Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
London perked up at the mention of one of her favorite Earth beverages.
“Coffee? I love that stuff. Let’s go!” She took Matt’s hand and followed the woman toward their destination, heart pounding in her chest. They were so close to finding her sister, she could feel it.
Only days ago, they’d learned Paris had attended college in New York City. Matt had suggested they check the directories to see if she still lived in the city. They’d found three Paris Randalls. The first two people on the list were definitely not her sister, but the last one they’d come across had moved, leaving no forwarding address. London knew that was the Paris they’d been looking for, because the landlord had made the same mistake Carol had.
It was hard to believe all the events that had led her to this moment.
When the three of them were seated in the coffee shop, London told Carol a made up story of how she, her mother and Paris had become separated. Matt had warned her most people wouldn’t believe the truth.
Carol listened intently, nodding at all the appropriate moments until London finished. “How amazing. So your poor mother… whatever happened to her?”
London’s eyes darted to Matt’s for help. “Well, she’s in…”
“Another country,” he supplied.
Carol frowned. “Why didn’t she try to look for Paris herself? And why did you wait until now to try and find her?”
“Like I said, my mother was led to believe Paris died in a fire, but I’d recently learned of this myself. My mother didn’t want to upset me by mentioning it.”
“I see,” Carol said, though her tone suggested otherwise. “So your twin intuition told you she’s alive?”
London nodded. “Something like that. So how do you know my sister?”
“We work together -- not in the same department, but we interact enough where we’ve become friendly. I like Paris a lot. She’s a nice lady — a little reserved maybe, but she’s a sweetheart. I’ve been trying to get her to come out of her shell, but something holds her back. I don’t know what it is. Seeing you will probably do her a lot of good. I can’t get over how much alike the two of you look.” Carol shook her head in apparent amazement.
London giggled. “Well, we are twins.”
“Touché. You must be the bubbly twin.”
“Maybe. I’ve been told I talk a lot. I know this may seem weird, but the closer I get to finding Paris, the more I remember. When we were younger, I was the one who spoke for the two of us, but she was the one with the ideas. It’s funny the things you retain from childhood.”
Carol nodded. “Yes, that’s so true.”
“Could you tell us where Paris lives?” Matt asked.
“I’ve never been to her place. I know she lives in Manhattan, but I don’t know her exact location. I can write down our business address. I know she’ll be there tomorrow. Better yet, here’s one of my cards.” Carol dug into her purse, and produced a small rectangular card.
London took it. “Thank you so much.” She could barely contain the excitement pounding in her chest. In less than a day’s time, she’d be meeting her sister for the first time in twenty years!
Chapter
Ten
“What do you mean she didn’t show up for work? But you said she’d be here!”
London exclaimed.
She looked at Matt, then back at Carol. The woman gave her a sympathetic look.
“I’m really sorry. I expected her to come in today. She said she would. For as long as I’ve known her, she never calls out. I spoke to her supervisor who told me she hadn’t heard from Paris. I believe she’s been phoned, but with no answer.”
London sighed. “Carol, I appreciate your help, but doesn’t someone know where she lives, anyone who can check in on her to make sure she’s okay?”
Carol shrugged. “I guess I could ask her boss for an address. Why don’t you two wait in the lobby for me and I’ll see what I can find out,” she offered.
London and Matt followed her inside and took a seat on a plush couch. London turned to Matt when Carol was out of earshot. “Something’s happened to my sister.”
Matt took her hand in his, patting it in reassurance. “She might be running late.”
London snatched her hand away, shooting him a glare. “I’m not in the mood to be patronized, Matt.”
He lifted a brow in surprise. “I wasn’t trying to do that, babe. I’m simply weighing all the possibilities.”
She rubbed his knee. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m being a little testy, but it’s hard to explain what I’m feeling right now.”
“Then make me understand. Try.”
She searched his thin face. The warmth of his hazel eyes was reassuring. London loved Matt with all her heart. How lucky she was to have literally crash landed into his life.