Kat squeezed her eyes shut. She felt Aidan and Riley tight against her sides, which was a good thing, because she really thought she might shatter into a million pieces if they weren't there.

Nola stopped reading. Maybe I should end it here. Her question was directed to Riley, but Kat raised her head.

Let's hear it all, she said.

Nola cleared her throat and continued. ?I know I made the wrong choice. I should have grabbed you and taken my chances in the world. My dear daughter, forgive me. I was a scared woman when Virgil married me, and I stayed scared all my life. ?You may have already figured this out, but it's no accident that Cliff Turner picked you up on Route Three. Cliff is your real daddy, Kat. Rita called him the instant I sent you away and told him to get here as fast as he could and find you and get you out of town. Cliff's wife didn't know about you until recently. She was very understanding. And, as you can imagine, I feel indebted to Phyllis. I know she was a better mother to you than I could ever be.'

Those are nice things for her to say, Barbara whispered.

Does this go on much longer? Erin asked.

Where's the bathroom? asked Stephanie. Rachel got her started down the hallway. ?I bet you've always been amazed at how lucky you were that Cliff picked you up that night. You /were/ lucky, but not for the reasons you thought. You were real lucky that nobody picked you up before Cliff got there and that your real daddy cared enough to make sure you were safe.

You were always loved, Katharine. You were always wanted. My beautiful grandson was always wanted, too.'

My God, Aidan said with a sigh.

Rachel went over to him and sat at his feet. ?If you're reading this, it means I'm dead and you somehow got my things without Virgil standing in the way. If it was Rita who managed this, then God bless her. She's really not so bad, Kat. She was scared of Virgil, same as me. ?Now let me tell you about Rileyhe's turned out to be a fine man and a wonderful doctor. He's taken real good care of me. Now, I've wanted to tell him for years about you and your boy, but I never did because I knew if Riley brought you back to Persuasion, Virgil would try to get his hands on Aidan. I probably made a mistake with that, too, and I hope someday you'll find a place in your heart to forgive me and all my weaknesses. I know I was real weak. ?Love, Mother.'

The silence was shattered by Loretta's howl.

Somebody put her outside, please, Riley said, his eyes on Kat. Matt excused himself and came back promptly, a fresh beer in hand.

Cliff began to speak, but Kat's hand flew up to stop him. Nobody say a word. I need to sort this out. The first person she turned to was Aidan, still right next to her. He looked surprisingly cool. Are you all right? she asked him.

He nodded. Are you?

Kat thought about that for a second, and then she shook her head. No, I'm not all right. I'm just… amazedamazed that my life has been nothing but a big stinking pile of lies, from day one. Everyone kept the truth from me because they thought they were doing me a favor! My God!

How stupid can people be!

Cliff tried to interrupt, but Kat wouldn't have it. You! she cried. You knew all along that I was your daughter, but you didn't have the guts to tell me?

Cliff's face fell and he looked toward Barbara. My life was a lie, too, Kat. I hated not being able to share that with you, but I swore to your mother that I would never say anything. She never budged on that, even after I came clean to Barbara and there was no reason to hide it anymore.

Kat nodded. I see.

Cliff inclined his head toward the letter still dangling in Nola's hand.

BettyAnn always said she'd tell you in her own way someday, and about a month before she died, she told me about the letter she wrote and that she'd packed it up along with other mementos and gave the cartons to Rita for safekeeping. So when you told me you'd come back to Persuasion, I figured it was only a matter of time until you knew.

Kat felt numb.

So Virgil is not my father. Kat's head hung with the weight of that news. It was pure relief. It explained why he'd never loved hershe wasn't his and his wife couldn't give him a child of his own. He'd seen Kat as a burden. And none of it was ever her faultit was his.

It's interesting that your mom did the same thing with you as you did with me, Aidan said. There wasn't a trace of anger in his words, just the wonder of seeing the connection. He smiled at Kat. She did the best she knew how, Mom. She was protecting her child. Same as you.

Yee-haw! Matt said, raising his beer. Welcome to Dysfunction Junction, West Virginia!

Rachel made a little squeak of alarm from the floor near Aidan. Her eyes were as round as plums.

What? Aidan asked.

I, uh… Her eyes flashed up to Kat. I'm just so glad my parents aren't here for this.

Loretta continued to howl. Riley said, Will somebody find out what's wrong with that damn dog?

It's probably just a squirrel, Matt said.

So you're my grandfather! Aidan looked across the room at Cliff and his face broke out into a huge grin.

Oh my God, Kat said. You're right. She looked to Cliff. Phyllis left me all that money because I really was her niece, didn't she?

Cliff's face softened. Sunshine, she left it to you because she loved you and Aidan more than anything in the world.

This is all good news, Nola said, perking up. Think about ityou don't have to go through any of the hassle of changing your name back to Cavanaugh or anything, because you really are a Turner.

Kat laughed in astonishment. I need a drink.

And you don't ever have to worry about Virgil again, 'cause he's nothing to you, Matt pointed out.

Kat stared at the fire, knowing there was something that gnawed at her.

It was Phyllis. Even Phyllis lied to me, she mumbled, incredulous. Then she spoke up, looking around the room. No wonder I went through most of my life unable to tell truth from lie. No wonder I could lie to myself so well that I could actually forget big hunks of my life! I come from a dynasty of bullshit! She looked at everyone in the room, then shouted, When I showed up here last month, I wouldn't have known the truth if it bit me in the ass!

That's pretty much what it did, hon, Nola said.

Barbara got up and gathered the grandkids. Now's a good time to have some pie, she said, practically dragging them out of the room.

I'll take a piece of the pecan while you're out there, Matt said. No whipped cream.

I hope you can find a place in your heart to forgive me someday, Kat.

Cliff's face was red and wet from tears. Try to forgive your mother and Phyllis, too. We just wanted the best for you and Aidan.

Riley squeezed Kat's hand to get her attention. Kat had almost forgotten he'd been right next to her. She looked up into his face and he gave her a private smile. Then he kissed her.

You know, Virgil knows I'm your father, Cliff added. We met once, before you were born. He told me if I ever showed my face around Persuasion again, he'd kill me where I stood.

Loretta's howls continued from the backyard.

What is /wrong/ with that dog? Riley asked.

There was a pounding at the front door.

I'll get it, said a woman who stepped out from behind the foyer archway.

Kat had no idea who she was.

Is that woman your aunt Rita? I'm totally lost, Jeff said.

No, Matt said, shaking his head and laughing. That right there would be Joanna Loveless, from the newspaper. /Joanna Loveless?/ Kat didn't know Joanna Loveless was there. She jumped to her feet in horror. How long had the newspaperwoman been standing by the door? Had she heard the whole sordid tale of Kat's existence? Had she even bothered to /knock/, for God's sake?

Kat didn't have time to explore those questions, because as soon as Joanna opened the front door, Virgil staggered in, supported by Carrie Mathis.