A part of him wondered if this was just one more piece of the scam—Rachel claiming she didn’t want any money from Ricky, and that it was all about a kidney. But what happened if down the road, she said she needed money to get someone to give her a kidney? People bought and sold organs on the black market all the time, so maybe this was Rachel’s way of making herself look sympathetic so she could get the money without looking greedy.
So much to process. So many lies to sort through.
How was he supposed to believe her?
But how could he turn away a potentially sick woman and her child?
When he glanced at Ricky, he could see that the older man was having the same internal debate.
“We help family when they’re sick,” Ricky said. “If there’s any chance you’re family, I don’t think I could live with myself for turning you away.”
“I’m not asking for anything,” Rachel said. “I got the answers I needed. I’ll look elsewhere for a donor. But if you do happen to find Cinco’s other child, I would appreciate you putting us in touch.”
At her words, Ricky looked like he’d been kicked in the gut. Ty felt somewhat the same, but there was still part of him that wondered if they were getting the real story.
But what if she wasn’t lying? Ty closed his eyes and sent a quick prayer heavenward that God would reveal the truth as quickly as possible.
“If you’re really Ricky’s grandchild, we’ll do what we can to help you get a donor,” Ty said, giving Ricky a reassuring look before bringing his attention back to Rachel. “You don’t need to run off first thing in the morning. Finish spending the weekend with your daughter. We’ll do another DNA test, which I’ll have sent out first thing Monday morning. If you’re really related, we’ll want to get to know you, and you should get to know Ricky. You’re family, and family sticks together. But if that DNA comes back as proof that you’re lying, we will file charges against you.”
Every charlatan had balked at the idea of taking a DNA test supervised by Ty. A few had agreed, but when they realized just how closely Ty supervised the sample process, they all gave up on their golden dreams.
If the test came back and Rachel was Ricky’s granddaughter, Ty would be willing to eat some crow. He’d do everything he could to help Rachel get her kidney. Ricky would want it that way.
But based on the way she’d deceived them to get this far, he wasn’t ever going to trust her. If you could lie that easily about some things, you were just as likely to lie about others. And there was no room in Ty’s life for liars.
He’d do what he could for Ricky’s sake, but as far as Ty was concerned, Rachel wasn’t someone to get close to. Except to make sure her lies didn’t hurt Ricky further.
Ricky nodded slowly. “That sounds reasonable to me. I won’t turn my back on family. But I do need to know the truth. And if you’re lying, Ty will make you regret your actions.”
Rachel paled, but she nodded slowly. “I’ll do another DNA test.”
“Good,” Ricky said. “But just in case, Ty will be watching out for you. You’ll have the same privileges as any other guest, but outside your cabin, you will be escorted by Ty at all times. Too many people come here thinking I’m going to let my guard down, and they hit me where it hurts. But I promise, if you hurt me, I will destroy you.”
Though Ricky’s words spoke of power, Ty could see the devastation in the old man’s eyes. So many people came trying to hurt him, and this wound was perhaps the most painful of all.
So why, seeing the torment on Rachel’s face, did Ty want to take her in his arms and tell her that everything was going to be okay? Clearly, he needed to keep his guard up now more than ever.
What was he going to do if the DNA test came back as not a match? Worse, what would he do if it was?
Chapter Four
A criminal. That was what they were treating her like. Ty’s stern gaze reminded her of all the court proceedings she’d gone through with Chris. Even Ty’s questions made her think he was trying to trap her into confessing to something that she didn’t do.
That was the crazy thing. She hadn’t done anything. But that was how the world worked. How lawyers worked.
After they left Ricky’s office, Rachel went to find Katie. She hadn’t intended to leave her for so long, but she also hadn’t intended for her conversation with Ricky to become an inquisition. Hopefully, Leah wasn’t in a hurry to leave, and she also wasn’t going to judge Rachel for being a bad mother.
But when she stepped out onto the deck, she could see the children happily playing. Leah was on the dance floor with her husband, and it appeared that Janie, whom she’d been introduced to as the mother of one of the other boys, was keeping an eye on them while she chatted with the group.
Rachel walked over to where Janie was sitting. “I’m sorry it took so long. I hope Katie wasn’t a bother.”
If only Rachel could know whether or not Janie’s smile was genuine. “It’s no bother. Katie is a delight. The kids are having so much fun. We’d love it if you could join us tomorrow for church. Katie would be in the same class as the boys, and afterward, the youth group is having a water fight that the little ones can join in.”
Church. She could feel Ty’s gaze upon her. What was he going to do, have her burned at the stake for saying no? It was abundantly clear that these people had a
