While the lasagna she’d taken from the freezer finished baking, Mac opened the bottle of wine Mallory had brought and poured glasses for both women and got a beer for himself. In the family room, Linda pulled out recent albums to show Mallory pictures of Mac, Maddie, Thomas and Hailey as well as Janey, Joe and P.J., Evan and Grace, Adam and Abby and Grant and Stephanie.

“They’re all coupled up.”

“They are—finally. For the longest time, I thought none of them would ever settle down and get married, and now all of them are. Grant and Steph told us earlier today that they’re getting married on Labor Day.”

“That’s very exciting.”

“Are you married?” Linda asked and then regretted the question as possibly too personal.”

“Not anymore.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“I’m better off. Believe me.”

Though she’d love to know what that meant, Linda didn’t want to pry. “Well, you must be hungry.”

“Linda… I just want to say… Thank you for having me here and for being so nice to me. I know this had to come as a shock to both of you, and I have no desire to mess up anything for you or your family.” She glanced at Mac. “I just wanted to meet you.”

“I’m very glad you came,” he said. “I’m only sorry your mother didn’t tell me about you sooner. I would’ve liked to have known you.”

“I hope you aren’t angry about what she did, although I suppose you have every right to be.”

“I don’t want to be angry with her,” Mac said thoughtfully. “But I’m disappointed she didn’t come to me when she found out she was expecting you. I would’ve liked to be part of your life, and I never would’ve tried to take you away from her. I wish she’d trusted me a little more.”

“I do, too. I’ve spent most of my life wondering about you.”

“Did she ever talk to you about him?” Linda asked.

Mallory shook her head. “She was very vague on the subject of my father even after I was an adult and there was no chance I could be taken from her. That’s why it was such a surprise to find the letter about you among her things after she died.”

“We can’t make up for the time we’ve lost,” Mac said, “but I sure hope you’ll let me be a part of your life going forward. I’d really like to be.”

“Oh… You would?”

He nodded. “I absolutely would.”

“I expected you to ask me for proof, and I wouldn’t be opposed… If, you know, you wanted…”