Identity

by Nora Roberts

“Preparing a meal teaches independence,” Olivia added. “I’m always surprised you don’t, since that’s your middle name.” “My middle name’s Nash.” “Exactly.

“Done. Miles.” Nell shifted again as her brother walked in. “Taste this.” He shook his head, looked at Morgan. “Black coffee. Did you shift to days?” “Root canal,” Nell began, “sick kid, finals. She’s pulling a double. One taste.” “Jesus.” He took a quick glug, then looked sincerely baffled. “Flowered coffee? Why?” “Miles is a coffee purist. It’s not coffee unless it’s black.” “Then this should fill the bill.”

“I appreciate it, very much. I know it adds time and trouble.” “Very little of either. We have good security. Now we have awareness of a situation. I want to ask you, Morgan, why you didn’t come to me with that situation. If you thought I’d be less sympathetic and supportive than my grandmother.” “No. Oh, God, no. You were in a meeting, the Saturday wedding.” “Oh Jesus, Mrs. Fisk again.” She pushed a hand through her hair. “I didn’t realize you’d come in during that time slot. Would you have come to me otherwise?” “Yes.” The lack of hesitation had Nell nodding. “Okay then. I wanted to make sure you knew you could come to me. Because you can,” she added. “Even if it’s just to unload. I honestly don’t know what I’d do in your place. I don’t know how I’d handle it.” “You probably wouldn’t break down in tears in front of your bosses.” “Plural?” “Miles walked in right after the dam broke.” Nell’s lips curved as she stretched out her legs. “I’m not smiling at you, but at his reaction, the one that just played in my head. It goes something like: ‘Oh shit.’ ” “Something like that. You could say I unloaded. I’m okay now.” “Are you?”

He didn’t like worrying about her but couldn’t seem to stop. The way she’d gone from raging fury to helpless panic when she’d grabbed that guest stayed imprinted on his mind. He’d admired the fury; sympathized with the panic. She’d lost everything but had dug down deep to start again. He admired that, too. And more, respected it.

And she knew just what she wanted engraved. A Deal’s a Deal.

“Then do what Jen taught me and clean his clock.” “You beat me to it. That doesn’t seem quite fair.” “You broke down the door.” “Yeah. I’ll fix it. I thought I knew how much I loved you before I got that text. I didn’t. My world just dropped away for a minute. Just went out from under me. Don’t do that to me again.”