“Let’s hope he doesn’t take after him in at least one trait,” Gavin spoke for the first time since she had come into the house.

Alanna felt her lips twitching in amusement at the wry way Gavin was staring at his innocent son.

“Gavin swears he’s going to watch Freddy like a hawk.”

“I think you’re in trouble.” Alanna couldn’t resist teasing the grim man. Then something occurred her to as soon as she said it. “Freddy is the only grandchild?”

“So far. We’re expecting another in the summer.”

Other than Fynn, all the other Colemans were old enough to have started their own families.

“You have a question?” Matthew saw the question she was too embarrassed to ask.

“No.” Reaching for her fork, she shoved a mouthful of food into her mouth to keep it busy.

“Don’t be embarrassed.”

Her groin started clenching at the way he looked at her.

“None of my brothers or I have tried to keep up with our dad’s record.”

“It’s none of my business,” she managed to get out.

“You didn’t have to. Everyone expected us to follow in his footsteps where women were concerned. So far, they’ve been disappointed that their predictions haven’t come true. None of us are evening dating anyone.”

Alanna couldn’t believe what he was telling her. There was no way that seven men looking the way these men looked, and not a one of them had a girlfriend.

Alanna looked at Ginny, thinking she would stop the men from pulling her leg. “He’s joking?”

Ginny shook her head. “Matthew’s telling the truth. None of them have dated.”

“Why not?” She waited for the punchline, still not believing. Piercing a broccoli spear with her fork, she looked up to see Matthew staring at her intently.

“We’re waiting for our soul mates.”

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

The silence at the table became palpable after he disclosed the truth.

Matthew ignored the kick under the table that Isaac gave him, not removing his gaze from Alanna’s.

“Yes … well …”

From the way she was looking around the table, she thought he was teasing her. He wasn’t. He had never been more serious in his life.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever heard a man waiting for their soul mate.”

Silas cleared his throat. “Here. Try the sweet potatoes.” Passing the potatoes to Alanna, Silas shot Matthew a warning glance.

Matthew resumed eating the food that tasted like cardboard.

“Gavin is my soul mate.” Ginny laid her hand on Gavin’s arm. “We’re very happy. My brothers are determined to outdo me.” Ginny playfully nudged Gavin with her shoulder. “He didn’t believe in soul mates, either. I had to educate him. Took me a while, but I think he does now. Either that, or he’s just pacifying me,” she teased.