BOOK 3

Isabella noted that this time he pronounced her last name without emphasis, as if it meant nothing to him. She put a hand to her head, wondering why it seemed to be revolving. It couldn't be the fall. All that had hurt was her dignity. So of course it had to be Brand. He had always had the power to make her feel light-headed. But at least he wasn't blazing mad at her today. Obviously the shock of her reappearance had worn off. That was something. His casual mockery she could cope with and even laugh at.

She shifted slightly on the sofa, wishing he had warned her he was coming. Because she had another, more shattering revelation in store for Brand. And how could she explain to him about Connie with the child standing there all big-eyed and listening—the child who had been told that the father who loved her was far away, but that he would one day come back to meet his cherished daughter?

She had been so sure Brand would love his daughter. He was good with children and genuinely liked th