Savannah sprawled across her bed, capturing her thoughts on Chicago in the battered notebook she carried everywhere. Today, she'd spent the entire time writing about Aiden while debating how to broach the subject with her dad.

Her fingertips brushed the black beanie hiding under her pillow. She pulled it out and traced the lettering. Just by looking at it and touching the soft wool, she could tell it was expensive, yet he had placed it on her head without a second thought and never reclaimed it. "Aiden Hamilton." The sound of his name made her smile. The rattle of her door handle made her jump, and she'd only crammed the hat under her pillow when her door opened.

Her dad peeked into her room, looking hopeful. "You've been cooped up all weekend. Why don't we go for pizza?"

"Yum." She closed her notebook and tucked it into her bag. "Let me change." Savannah motioned to her worn sweatpants.

"I'll warm up the car. Five minutes?" He ruffled a hand through the thick hair that had changed from salt and pepper to gray since his beloved Jayde had died.

"Okay, Daddy." As soon as her door closed, Savannah dragged a brush through the tangled mess of hair and changed into dark wash jeans along with a faded pink sweater. With a sigh, she peered at the dark circles under her eyes, taking a moment to dab on a light covering of foundation before checking her bag to ensure the business card was tucked safely inside.

After a deep calming breath, she slung her bag across her shoulders and headed out the front door.

As soon as she was buckled into the passenger seat, her dad backed out of the driveway onto the quiet tree-lined street. "Everything good?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"You've been quiet since you got home. That's to be expected, as I'm sure the accident was quite the ordeal. I'm thankful they located all the students and chaperones and everyone is coming home safely." Her dad drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. The familiar sound comforted her. "Is Leanne back yet?"

"Tomorrow." Savannah had reluctantly said goodbye to her friend before she flew home to Portland, but at least Aiden had provided Leanne some company. Though she wasn't supposed to know, Leanne's parents had been stressing over gathering funds for the flight. They'd pulled the funds together somehow, and Leanne's mom was now in Chicago.

Half an hour later, they pulled into the parking lot of their favorite little pizzeria. Savannah closed her eyes and inhaled the fragrant aroma of homemade tomato sauce and fresh-baked ciabatta. She loved the cozy and welcoming atmosphere. It always reminded her of better times. Before her mom died, they would eat here at least once per month. Tonight, as like many nights before, they settled into one of the booths and ordered their favorite home-style pizza.

Her dad gave her a long searching look before resting his chin on his folded hands. "The school has arranged counseling. Maybe you should talk to someone? You haven't been eating much, and you've holed up in your room."

Savannah smoothed her napkin in her lap before peering at him across the table. "Daddy? I do need to talk about something. It's kind of a big deal."

Concern reflected in his eyes. "What's wrong, Savannah?"

"I met someone unexpected." She focused on her hands.

"A boy? Is that where you kept disappearing to? Chasing boys wasn't the point of the trip."

"It's nothing like that." She gave a small shake of her head. "Remember the picture Mom left me in her letter?"

"How could I forget?" Her dad sighed. "I loved your mother with all my heart, but I wish she hadn't encouraged that nonsense." The ever-present gold watch on her wrist seemed to have caught his attention. After a moment, he lifted his gaze to meet hers. "The adoption records were sealed for a reason. No good can come from you pining for the woman who gave you up. It's unlikely you'll ever find her."

"It's not nonsense."

"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry, but already this search is creating issues. I wish things were different, but the chance you'll ever locate either of your birth parents is slim. What if they don't want to be found?"

"What if they do?" In her opinion, Aiden seemed more hopeful than upset that she'd approached him, but she wasn't sure her dad would feel the same. "It doesn't mean I love you or Mom any less. It just feels like a piece of me is missing." She drew in a breath. "I-I found Aiden Hamilton."

"What do you mean?" A deep frown appeared as his lips tugged downward.

"Aiden's a doctor. My doctor. The one who helped me and Leanne at the derailment."

"Your doctor was Aiden Hamilton?" Her dad paled. "How do you know he can help? Were you spending time with this man? That's where you were when the chaperone couldn't find you?"

Savannah bit her lip and nodded. "He bought me lunch."

The quick and audible inhale of breath combined with his eyes widening a touch.

"I pretended I was interested in being a doctor. Aiden mentors students and allows them to job shadow. He agreed to answer questions. When I showed him the picture, he admitted it was him."

"How can you know for sure? Perhaps he agreed to gain your trust. I thought I'd taught you better. Meeting strange men in secret is dangerous."

Savannah cringed at the stern tone and concentrated on folding her napkin neatly into thirds. Anything to avoid direct eye contact. "We met in public. I didn't go anywhere with him alone." Except for the ride to dinner. And he'd accompanied her to the hotel room, even if he hadn't come inside. She wouldn't mention those minor details to her dad. It hadn't been an inspired choice, and if he'd been lying, she could have found herself in a serious predicament. It had all turned out well ...

"Savannah Jayde Phillips." Her dad's eyes locked on her, accusing laser beams burning a hole into her forehead. "Look at me, young lady."

She clamped her teeth onto her lower lip, forcing herself to do as he demanded.

"You took a huge risk meeting a grown man in a strange city." A deep red flush colored her father's face. "You can't say for sure who he is."

"He helps people. He's chief resident in the ER." She dug her nails into her palms. If she backed down now, she'd never know the truth. "Aiden said he'd do DNA testing if you gave your permission."

"He's encouraging this foolish behavior? Helping you to sneak around and aiding you? He should know better. How old is he?"

"He's thirty," she whispered.

"It's a bad idea, for so many reasons. You have your hopes up. What if he's not your father? Or what if he is? What happens then?"

"He can help me find my mother."

The slap of his flattened palm against the table made her jump. "This is unreal." Her dad shook his head before resting it into his hands. "Please tell me you didn't ask him about her."

This couldn't end well. Her confessions were only upsetting him further, but she trusted her instincts. Aiden wasn't dangerous. Nothing about what he'd done seemed contrived or planned.

"Don't be mad," Savannah said as she sneaked a look at his florid face and narrowed eyes, "but shouldn't this be about what I want?"

A sad look appeared on his face. "I only want what's best for you, honey," he said softly. "This has the potential to be ..."

Damaging. The word popped into her head. But it had an upside too. All the "what ifs" played through her mind.

"It's a chance I need to take," she said. "Aiden gave up a baby girl for adoption who was born in the same hospital on the same day, but he doesn't have access to the legal records to prove it was me."

"What if he's some kind of whack job who's only telling you what you want to hear?" He lifted his hands.

"He's not. If you met him, Daddy, you'd see."

"You want me to meet him?"

She allowed a tiny nod.

"If I agree, who'd pay for the testing? What if you find out he's not your father? How are you going to feel? You can't chase after every Aiden Hamilton in the country until you find the right one."

"I'll pay for it from my savings." She used her best puppy dog eyes on him, widening them and batting her lashes. "Will you meet him? Please?"

"It doesn't mean he's not a crazy wing-nut." He exuded a long sigh and lifted his brows, signaling he knew her game in using her doe-eyed look. "Why would he agree to DNA testing? He gave you up when you were a baby which terminates his legal rights. Or any other rights for that matter. Does he think he can waltz into our lives fifteen years later?"

"This was my idea, not his." A frown knit her brow as she folded her arms across her chest. "He doesn't want to take me away. He agreed so I can find out where I came from. You'll always be my dad."

"Understand, Savannah, this has serious implications. What part will these people play in your life if we confirm the relationship?"

"He's not these people. He's one man who can tell me about my mother. Let him visit and you can ask him whatever questions you want." She took his hand, blinking at him. "For me, please?"

"Are you sure you know what you're asking? Is he truly okay with submitting to testing and answering a million questions?"

"He said it was up to you, and he'd understand if you didn't want to do any of it," she said. "Can you at least phone him?"

"You'll never let up on this idea?"

She shook her head. "If you don't allow me to do it now, I'll contact him when I'm eighteen. It would be so much better if I found out now. Please, Daddy? Please?" Savannah's eyes filled with tears. This wasn't a whim, but something she'd wished for with all her heart. Hopefully, her dad would see that.

"It's against my better judgment, but I'll talk to the man. No promises beyond that, okay?"

"Thank you." Savannah bounced from her seat, rounding the table to hug him. "You won't regret it."

"I sure hope not, honey." Her dad squeezed her tight. "This better be the right decision, for all our sakes. Give me his number when we get home and I'll have a conversation with the man." His lips set into a grim line. "Don't assume there are no consequences for your actions, young lady."

Savannah nodded as she took her seat on the bench.

"You took a huge risk. For the next two weeks, you're grounded."

She opened her mouth intending to argue but snapped it shut at his stern look.

"No phone. No friends. To school and right back home." His gaze softened, as did his tone. "I love you, Vanna. I only want to keep you safe. Always."