“Mac will be wondering what’s going on. He saw me talking to her.”

“He can wait. It won’t kill him.”

“It might. You know how he is.”

The small gurgle of laughter that came from her told him it was going to be okay. They were going to be okay. “What’s he going to say when he discovers he’s not the oldest anymore?”

He drew back to look down at her. “Oh Jesus. And when Janey hears she’s not my only daughter…”

Her smile faded as the implications for their children set in. “Janey has nothing to worry about where you’re concerned.”

“No, she doesn’t, but still… It’ll be a shock to her. To all of them.”

“No more than it was for you.”

“This isn’t going to cause trouble between you and me, is it? Tell me it isn’t, because I couldn’t bear that. I’m floored by this entire thing, but even knowing she’s alone in the world, if it meant trouble with you, I’d let her walk away. I hope you know that.”

“I’d never ask that of you. It would kill you to do that to a child of yours, even one you didn’t know you had.”

“I know you’ve heard this before, but I’ve never meant it more than I do right now. The luckiest day of my life was the day I walked into that party with Frankie and found you there.”

“That was a pretty good day for me, too.”

He forced a smile for her sake. “Only pretty good?”

“It’s right up there among the best days of my life, as you well know.” She laid her head against his chest, seeming content to stay there for as long as he’d have her, which was forever. “Will you call her now and invite her?”

“If you’re sure that’s what you want.”

“It is.”

Though he was reluctant to let her go, he did as she asked, withdrawing his phone and Mallory’s card from his pocket. His fingers felt clunky and awkward as he dialed the number. While he waited for her to answer, he put his free arm around his wife.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mallory. It’s Mac McCarthy.”

“Hi.”

“I take it you’re settled at the hotel?”

“Yes, they were very nice, but then I did drop the owner’s name.”

“Never hurts anything.” He cleared his throat, astounded by the unusual bout of nerves. “I spoke with my wife, Linda. We’d like to invite you to join us at the house for dinner, if that’s all right with you.”

“That would be very nice. Can I bring anything?”

Linda shook her head.

“Just yourself. You remember which house it is, right?”

“I do. What time would be good?”

“Six,” Linda whispered.

“Six o’clock?”

“I’ll see you then, and thank you. For the invitation.”