Peril by Jordyn Redwood

hasn’t he come down yet?”
    Her mother’s body sank deeper into her chair. She twirled her tumbler nervously on the smooth surface of the counter.
    Come to think of it , Morgan noticed, Mom’s behavior is off today. Her hairstyle—up in a bun versus the loose, let-down curls. Her clothing rumpled when it is usually pressed.
    Her glass sans coaster.
    Dad absent from this conversation.
    â€œWhat’s up with you?” Morgan finally asked, the pressure in her chest causing the words to stumble somewhat harshly.
    â€œI’m not sure this is the best day to talk about this. Considering—”
    â€œMom, please. Is Dad all right?”
    She swiveled her chair toward Morgan and gathered her daughter’s hands. There was something in her mother’s brown eyes. The darker brown flecks that normally comforted Morgan’s spirit today lent to a feeling of spent exhaustion hiding something secret. Her eyes glossed over with the threat of coming emotion.
    Uneasy tingles crawled up Morgan’s spine. “Mom, are you all right?”
    She squeezed their hands tighter until Morgan’s nerves numbed under the tension. “Your father was tested to see if he could be a donor for you. He’s not a match.”
    The tightness eased from Morgan’s chest. “Okay, that’s fine.” She pulled her hands away. “Why all the drama? It’s not that unexpected. I’ll just have to wait my turn on the list.”
    Her mother shook her head, more hair falling from the loose bun. The look of a crazed mental health patient came to Morgan’s mind.
    â€œI have something to confess to you.”
    Morgan pushed back into her chair. The look on her mother’s face stilled any words on her tongue.
    Sally Meyer kneaded her hands, distraught. The only other time Morgan had seen her in such a state was when her aunt died, her mother’s only sibling. Even Teagan’s death hadn’t risen to this level. “You know I love your father very much.”
    â€œYes.”
    She placed a heavy hand on Morgan’s cheek. “And he loves you. He would give you his heart if it would save your life.”
    Morgan pulled her hand down. “I know.”
    Her mother inhaled deeply. “Early in our marriage, we were having some trouble.”
    The distance between her and Tyler crossed her mind. Maybe their issues were present before but just intensified after Teagan’s death. “Why are you bringing this up now?”
    â€œI should also say I would have never told you this if my confession didn’t bring up the possibility of saving your life. Your father is your father and always will be.”
    Morgan’s mind raced. “What are you saying?”
    â€œDuring this time when your father and I were having trouble, I had an affair. I got pregnant—with you.”
    â€œYou’re saying Dad is not my biological father?”
    A plea for forgiveness bled from her mother’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”
    Morgan grabbed at her shirt with her hand, her heart now thumping painfully. “Why would you keep this from me for so long?” she cried.
    â€œWhat good would it have done to know?”
    She slammed her hand onto the cold granite. “You’re the one who always talks about speaking the truth.”
    Sally blew a stray hair from her eyes. “I know. I’m not perfect. I never claimed to be.”
    Morgan fanned her hand against her chest to calm her rapid heartbeat. “Does this other man even know that you had his child?”
    She could merely close her eyes and shake her head no.
    â€œHow long has Dad known?”
    Her mother took a heavy hand and back swiped the base of her nose. “Only after the tests came back.”
    â€œYou kept this from him all these years?”
    Morgan began to rise from the chair, but her mother clamped two hands on her knees. “You listen to me. I know you’re confused