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in front of the circular drive. Pristine gardens, sculpted bushes, ornately carved molding and granite lion statues adorned the front of the mansion, a massive white antebellumreproduction set in the midst of ancient oaks and a pond complete with ducks, as well as a massive outdoor patio obviously designed for entertaining.
    â€œYour father must be doing quite well.”
    â€œI suppose,” Nina said in an oddly distant voice.
    â€œYou don’t know?”
    â€œHe’s in banking, finance, stocks. He did well in the past, but I haven’t kept up with him in a few years.”
    He narrowed his eyes. “You don’t see each other regularly?”
    A sad look flickered in her eyes. “No. As a matter of fact, we haven’t talked in…months.”
    Slade’s opinion of the man slipped another notch. “Then he’s going to be surprised to see us,” he said.
    Nina opened her car door and climbed out before he could reach it, but the shudder that coursed up her body confirmed that she dreaded this confrontation.
    After the ordeal with Hood, he understood her anxiety.
    He’d been rough on her in the car, as well. But dammit, he didn’t want to be made a fool of or go on a wild chase.
    Instincts urged him to pursue the case anyway, to find out the truth for Nina once and for all.
    Then he could walk away with a clear conscience.
    Â 
    N INA WILLED HERSELF to be strong as they walked up the immaculate drive to the steps to her father’s house. This place had never been her home.
    Her home was the bungalow in Sanctuary where she’d hoped to raise her little girl.
    Slade punched the doorbell, and she breathed deeply, desperately relying on the relaxation exercises she’dlearned in therapy. But her palms were sweating, her heart racing, painful memories assaulting her like a knife digging into her heart.
    Just like the knife in the doll’s chest…
    The door opened, and Miss Mosey, the housekeeper her father had kept for the past twelve years, looked shocked as she spotted Nina.
    â€œMiss Nash, we…had no idea you were coming.”
    â€œI know, Miss Mosey,” Nina said softly. “Is Father here?”
    The woman’s brows pinched together. Nina had once had affection for the older woman, and thought she might be an ally when she’d discovered her pregnancy, but her father’s money had obviously meant more to her than Nina’s feelings.
    â€œI’m afraid he just left for the office. He had a luncheon at two and wanted to tie up some things there first.”
    â€œThanks,” Nina said. “We’ll stop there then.” She started to turn to leave, then paused and touched the woman’s hand. One of her therapists had suggested that forgiveness would help her heal. “It’s good to see you again. I hope you’re doing well.”
    Tears suddenly glittered in the woman’s eyes, and she surprised Nina by pulling her into a hug. “I hope you are, too, dear. You and your father should make peace. He misses you so much.”
    Nina’s pulse stuttered, and she hugged the woman back then turned to leave, unable to speak.
    By rote, she recited directions to her father’s office, contemplating Miss Mosey’s comment as Slade crossed traffic into town. Did her father really miss her? If so, why hadn’t he tried to contact her?
    Slade turned onto Glenwood Avenue, then located Nash’s office, a two-story brick building in the heart of the downtown area. He parked in the adjacent parking lot, and they walked to the entrance in silence. Her father hated to be interrupted during business, and Nina considered turning around, but Slade took her arm as if he sensed her anxiety and they went inside the building.
    A pretty red-haired receptionist wearing a short, black pencil skirt greeted them from the counter where she was pouring coffee. “Can I help you?”
    â€œYes, I’m Nina Nash.