Catherine hesitated, questioning the correctness of the number. She expected a woman’s voice. “I’m sorry, I’m looking for the beautiful baby girl I was forced to give away thirty-three years ago.”

Derek listened. Sophia had said she didn’t want to know her birth parents. Nevertheless, this may be their only chance to learn the truth. “I’m sorry; my wife is indisposed right now. She’s had a difficult few weeks.”

“Yes, that’s the reason I’m calling. I never wanted to interfere with her and her adoptive parents. But now....” Catherine wasn’t sure how to finish that sentence. Now she was lonely and wanted to at least meet her daughter? Now she thought her daughter might be more open to learning about her birth mother? Now she had nothing better to do...

Thankfully she didn’t need to finish the sentence. Derek interjected. “Tell me the date you gave birth.”

Catherine sat taller. Who was this man demanding information? She sure as hell wasn’t intimidated. She’d loved Nathaniel Rawls and outlasted Anton Rawls... this man was nothing in comparison. However, she answered, “July 19, 1980.”

Catherine heard muffled voices. Then a woman’s voice, “Please, don’t call again. My parents are dead. I don’t know you.”

Marie sat straighter. Of course she deserved this response. Nonetheless, part of reasoned maybe she could fill a void left by the death of her daughter’s adoptive parents. If nothing else, she could look out for the young woman from afar, as Anton and Nathaniel had done. “I’m sorry, I won’t call you again.”

Resolutely, the young woman swallowed her emotions. “Wait, if you could give me your number, I’ll think about it. Then when I’m ready I can call you.”

Catherine breathed a sigh of relief... this was more than she’d expected. “Yes, of course.”

Derek’s voice came back through the receiver, “You may give me the number. When my wife is ready, if she is ready, she will call you. Please do not call her phone again.”

Catherine heard her daughter’s sobs in the background and gave the number of a disposable phone to her son-in-law. After he repeated the number, he disconnected the line.

Catherine grinned. She’d found her daughter. Her daughter was married – to a man named Burke. She needed more information. That was all right, as before, she had the time. And without a doubt, Catherine was up for a new challenge.