“We’re all adopted,” he finally replied. “Well, I’m not even that. And so was Diana. None of us are actually biologically related, not to Maggie or each other.”

Micah shrugged. “Still.”

Still . . . what? He had a pretty good guess what Micah was trying to insinuate, but there was nothing to it, and certainly, the guy knew it. He was just trying to get a rise out of Sydney—and maybe Neil. But why?

What had they talked about on the shore this morning? Why was he here?

“Micah, please,” Sydney whispered.

“What?” His look of exaggerated innocence grated. “Just making conversation. Trying to figure out all the relationships around this table.”

All the mirth had fled from Sydney’s expression. She looked ready to wilt. What Neil wouldn’t give to jump from his seat, round the table, and tug her to him. Let that aid Micah in figuring out their relationship. He could draw whatever dang conclusion he wanted.

And he just might’ve done it if not for the sound of the front door opening. The sight of Indi—alone—hurrying in, veering immediately for the stairs. Her racing steps thumped up the stairs.

Not again. He started to rise, but Lilian put her hand on his shoulder. “Let me. This might be a job for a sister.”

Sydney had known Neil wouldn’t make it more than a few seconds before bounding up the steps after Lilian. He was probably lingering outside Indi’s door right now, trying to decide whether to knock or eavesdrop or simply wait out his sisters.

If Sydney had her way, she’d be up there with him.

“How could you, Micah? What was that? No one’s been anything but nice to you.” She slapped her napkin to the table just as Maggie appeared from the kitchen, a glass serving plate piled with what looked like a feast. Smelled heavenly.

Why couldn’t Micah see this evening for the treat it was? A delicious meal to be had in a lovely house with even lovelier people. Why couldn’t he be the boy who’d grasped her hand that first day at the Jacobsens’ and told her he was glad she was there? Or even the rascal who’d brought a caramel roll all the way from Chicago for her?

Why this animosity?

“Where’d Neil and Lilian go?” Maggie set the dish in the middle of the table.

“Indi got home. I don’t think her fiancé’s coming.”

Maggie’s face fell. “Oh, the dear girl. I could sock the guy. That is, if I ever actually get to meet him. And if Neil doesn’t get to him first. They’re all upstairs?”

At Sydney’s nod, Maggie gave her a look of apology and left the room, her soft steps sounding on the stairs moments later.

“So . . . what? Do we start eating without them?”

It was all she could do not to scowl at Micah. “No, we don’t start eating without them.” And just because she needed a minute away from the friction between them, she took a cue from Neil, copied his actions from her first evening here. She stood, reached for the water pitcher, and marched to the kitchen.