Jack leaned forward slowly.
His weathered face had suddenly gone pale.
"No way..."
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
"What's your mother's name?"
Sophie smiled innocently.
"Emma Carter."
The coffee cup slipped from Jack's hand.
It shattered across the diner floor.
Every customer turned to look.
Jack didn't even notice.
He hadn't heard that name spoken aloud in more than twenty-five years.
Emma Morgan.
His little sister.
She had disappeared at eighteen after leaving home during a bitter argument with their alcoholic father.
Jack searched for years.
He hired private investigators.
Filed missing person reports.
Followed every possible lead.
Nothing.
Eventually, everyone believed Emma had chosen to disappear forever.
But Jack never stopped wondering.
Now...
A little girl stood in front of him carrying her smile.
Her bright blue eyes.
Even the tiny dimple in her left cheek.
The resemblance was impossible to ignore.
Sophie's mother finally reached the booth.
"I'm so sorry," she said politely.
"She gets curious."
Jack slowly stood.
His hands trembled.
"Emma?"
The woman froze.
She looked carefully at the older biker.
The gray beard.
The faded scar above his eyebrow.
The eagle tattoo.
Tears instantly filled her eyes.
"Jack?"
The diner became completely silent.