Stop Me (Last Stand #2)(102)
Author: Brenda Novak

That was a completely foreign concept.

“People adapt, Jaz. You know that.”

Of course she knew. They’d discussed the psychological explanation for such behavior. It wasn’t unusual for kidnap victims to feel some loyalty to their captors.

But the personal side of the situation still tripped her up. Even if Kimberly, as a child, had accepted that her family was dead, hadn’t she grown curious in later years, remembered snatches of her early childhood and wondered? Maybe she hadn’t seen the episode of America’s Most Wanted, in which Jasmine had asked for information related to her disappearance. Then again, it was possible she’d seen it and chosen not to respond.

“It’s just so hard to believe she’s alive and well.”

“Everyone can use another friend,” he said. “You’re not here to take away what she’s already got. You’re here to let her know you never stopped loving her.

How can that hurt?”

There were all kinds of answers to that question. Her sudden appearance in Kimberly’s life could cause problems between Kimberly and her adoptive family. It could stir up bad memories. It could create confusion and hurt where there was none.

“Relationships are very complex things,” she murmured.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, Romain waited until she met his steady gaze.

“Maybe that would be true with anyone else. But you’re special, Jaz. You’re someone she’s going to want to know.”

The lump that rose in Jasmine’s throat made it difficult to respond. Romain smiled as he ran a thumb down the line of her jaw. “Come on. We want her to be in our wedding, don’t we?”

Jasmine wanted that more than anything. As much as she loved Romain, it’d been a difficult decision to leave Sacramento and The Last Stand and move to Louisiana. Especially when she wasn’t sure if her plan to do private consulting would work. She could use another friend, even if that friend lived as far away as Skye and Sheridan. Better yet if that friend was a sister. Her sister.

“But it’s not just me. It’s my mom and dad and…”

“And there’s time for that. You haven’t even told them yet.”

She had to know, first of all, if Kimberly wanted to be found. But, if so, she believed the wedding could be the beginning of many wonderful things—healing for Romain’s family, resolution for her own, future children.

“Should I go up to the door with you?” he asked.

He’d been planning to wait in the car. He’d told her he wanted to give her privacy to deal with all the emotions, and she still felt she needed that.

“No, I’ll go,” she said and climbed out.

The distance from the car to Kimberly’s front door felt like miles. Jasmine’s heart pounded the entire way, and only grew louder as she reached the stoop. There, she could see beautiful urns and vases filled with greenery and flowers. Wind chimes tinkled in the chill air, sounding beautiful but slightly melancholy.

Whatever happened now, this was the end of her quest. She’d found the sister she’d lost.

Queasy with nerves, she raised her hand to knock. She halfway hoped Kimberly wouldn’t be home. Then she could put this moment off a little longer. But she’d seen the BMW convertible in the drive and knew that Kimberly would open the door.

Sure enough it swung wide almost immediately and Jasmine faced her baby sister—at twenty-four years old. Where Jasmine had taken after their mother, except for her eyes, Kimberly resembled their father. At least five-eight, she had dark hair, but it wasn’t nearly as dark as Jasmine’s. Her eyes were brown instead of blue.

Several seconds passed as they stared at each other, and the tears Jasmine had been fighting since she drove up began to stream down her cheeks.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” Kimberly asked in a confused voice.

Jasmine wasn’t sure how to answer. She still wasn’t convinced Kimberly would want any connection to her past. But she had to give her little sister the opportunity to make that decision. Their mother and father had a stake in this, too. It wasn’t something Jasmine could decide on her own.

“Yes,” she said. “You know me. But it’s been a very long time and you might’ve forgotten. My name’s Jasmine Stratford. I was once your big sister.”

Kimberly’s mouth sagged open, and she began to blink rapidly as tears filled her eyes, too.

“How’d you find me?” she whispered.

“It wasn’t easy,” Jasmine replied with a shaky smile. “I’ve been searching for sixteen years.”

Now was the moment of truth. Swallowing hard, Jasmine waited for her younger sister to come to grips with the surprise—and was surprised herself when Kimberly pulled her into a tight embrace.

It was several seconds before either of them could speak. Finally, Kimberly stepped back and looked at Jasmine. “I thought I’d never see you again,” she said.

“They told me you were dead.”

“And you believed them?” Jasmine hoped she didn’t sound too accusatory, but it was difficult to hide her pain.

“Not completely,” her sister admitted. “But I knew that my mother, my new mother,” she clarified, “wouldn’t like it. I’m their only child. It…it would’ve left them with nothing. And I meant so much to them.”

“Were you happy, then?”

“For the most part. I knew I was lucky to have the parents I did. When you’ve already lost one family, you’re pretty terrified of losing another. And by the time I was older and could do something about what had happened, I wasn’t convinced I could incorporate the past into my present life, even if I could reconnect with it.” She hesitated. “Do you understand?” she asked tentatively.

“I do.” Jasmine battled her disappointment with a forced smile. “I’m not here to make your life harder, Kimberly.”

“Kimberly…” she said softly. “That isn’t even my name anymore.”

Jasmine couldn’t imagine how confusing and difficult this had to be for her sister, and decided to back off and give her a chance to get used to the shock. “It must be really odd to hear it again.”

Her sister’s eyes grew troubled. “My old parents, are they still alive?”

“Alive, but not entirely the same.” Jasmine couldn’t help the somber note that crept into her voice. “Like the rest of us.”