When they walked into the restaurant, Brynne met them at the door and led them to a relatively isolated table—as isolated as it was possible to get. Which meant near the kitchen. The other three were already seated.

After the formalities of greeting and ordering, and Brynne herself had served their drinks, Carly said, “I’m the one who called this meeting, so… I guess I should start. And by the way, dinner’s on me.”

Despite everyone’s protests, she persisted.

She began, sounding like she’d practiced this speech. “You already know that Reba Shannon was my mother. And Cord, as you also know, you might be my father. Same is true for Eli and J.P. I’ve reached a point in my life where I need to know. I imagine you guys feel the same way.”

Cord nodded vigorously. “I do.” And he meant it. He was sure Eli and J.P. would, too, even if they hadn’t before. It was time to get this settled.

“That’s part of what I wanted to talk about. The other…” And she launched into a complicated story that involved a YouTube channel called My 3 Dads, with various musical performances—including classic country songs—and the accumulation of a shocking amount of money.

Neither Tina nor Shallie seemed surprised. Even Mitch didn’t appear too startled.

And was he? Cord asked himself. Well, yes. Shocked. At least she’d indicated in her description of My 3 Dads that she’d been extremely careful to protect their privacy, careful not to reveal details of their lives, and once they learned who her father actually was, she’d consult with him, Eli and J.P. about how much to say.

All this new and astonishing information left him with conflicting reactions, opposing emotions. He couldn’t help feeling disturbed, even a little betrayed, that she’d made private information public—and profited from it. Yet he believed Carly’s reassurances about her discretion, which would be easy enough to check. He also understood her nervousness.

At the same time, her revelations made him feel something else. An unexpected pride. Pride in the fact that, at her age, she’d pulled this off. Pride in her honesty and courage, her enterprising spirit, her talent.

Carly now went on to explain that she wanted all three of her potential dads to agree to DNA testing and, of course, she would, too. After that…who knew?

Cord knew. If she was his daughter, he’d do anything and everything he could for her. He’d be a true father, a good father, make up for what she’d lost and lacked in the past. And if J.P. or Eli turned out to be her dad, he’d be an honorary uncle.

Again, Tina and Mitch said nothing; neither did Shallie.