With her gaze fixed on the kitchen door through which Adam and Abby had disappeared, Linda said, “They got some news before the anniversary party. They’re both fine, but they’re facing a difficult challenge.”

Everyone pounced on Linda for more information, but she held them off with her hands in the air. “It’s not my news to tell. You’ll hear it from them when they’re ready.”

The boisterous group fell silent when Adam and Abby returned, holding hands as they came into the room.

“Abby,” Laura said. “Are you all right?”

Abby glanced at Adam, who nodded in encouragement. “Not as all right as I’d like to be,” Abby said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “We recently learned that I have polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS, which comes with a variety of health complications, including fertility issues.”

“We’re going to fight it, though,” Adam said. “There’s a lot we can do, and we’re going to do all of it. If we can’t have a baby on our own, we’ll adopt. But we will have a family.”

Stephanie left her perch on Grant’s lap to hug Abby. “I’m so sorry to hear this, but if anyone is tough enough to fight it, you are.”

“I don’t know about that,” Abby said. “I’ve been a basket case ever since we got the news.”

“Stay off the Internet,” Mallory said. “Every situation is unique, and you don’t want to scare yourself with too much information.”

Adam nodded in agreement. “That’s what I said, too.”

“The one thing I want to say,” Abby said, seeming to marshal her defenses, “is I don’t want any of you to feel you can’t be excited about your babies in front of me. I can’t wait to meet all of them and to love them and spoil them. Please… Don’t let our challenges take away from your joy. Adam and I would hate that.”

Janey stood to hug Abby. “Love you. That’s all I want to say.”

“Love you, too.”

Erin leaned in to speak to Slim. “We ought to go. This is kind of a private family thing.”

“Sure, sweetheart. We’ve got important private business of our own to see to anyway.”

She rolled her eyes at him, but her face lit up with the blush he loved so much. He couldn’t wait to see more of that blush when he got her back to the lighthouse.

Chapter 15

“Why do you have to announce to our entire family that you’re cock-blocked?” Maddie asked when she came into the bedroom after getting Thomas down for the night.

Hailey had gone much easier, which was why Mac beat her to bed.

“Because I am, in fact, cock-blocked by kids lately.”

“They’ve been sick, Mac.”

“They’re not sick now,” he said, waggling his brows suggestively.