“She’ll be here in a few minutes.”

“I’m out,” Janey said, her chin quivering. “I’m sorry, Dad, but I can’t do this right now.” She rushed out of the room, and the screen door slammed behind her.

“Brat,” Mac called after her. “Wait.”

“Let her go, son,” Big Mac said. “I’ll talk to her later.” He looked at each of his sons, who were unusually somber in light of the bomb that had been dropped on them. “Does anyone else wish to leave before she gets here?”

Mac wanted to go. He had no desire to meet the sister he’d never known he had. He liked his life—and his family—exactly the way it was. However, the thought of disappointing his father in any way had him holding his tongue and remaining seated on a barstool when he really wanted to bolt the way Janey had.

One by one, his brothers demurred when their dad asked if they wanted to leave. When Big Mac’s gaze landed on him, Mac shook his head.

“I appreciate this.” His father made eye contact with each of his sons. “More than you know.”

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Linda served up eggs, potatoes and toast, which Mac ate because he was hungry, but every bite required effort to get the food past the lump in his throat. How could he feel so threatened by someone he didn’t even know? Under normal circumstances, any time he and his three brothers were in the same place at the same time, the insults would be flying, the laughter loud and raucous.

Today the four of them ate in silence as their mother stood watch over them and their father paced nervously.

“She doesn’t have anyone,” Linda said softly. “Her mother was her only family.”

“Is Dad going to require proof?” Mac asked. “He has assets to protect.”

“I don’t need proof,” Big Mac said.

“Dad, seriously,” Mac said, “I know you think everyone is as upstanding as you are, but that’s just not the case.”

“First of all,” Big Mac said, “I appreciate your concern, but I don’t require proof.”

“Dad, come on,” Grant said. “Anyone in this situation would be a bit skeptical.”

“I understand, but when you meet her, you’ll see why I don’t need proof. I also knew her mother quite well and have no reason to believe she’d lie about such a monumental thing.”

“People lie all the time about monumental things,” Evan said tentatively.

“Indeed they do,” Big Mac said. “I don’t believe this is one of those times.”

“Boys, follow your father’s lead on this,” Linda said. “I promise you no one is more skeptical than I was, but when you meet Mallory, you’ll see what we saw.”

Big Mac sent his wife a grateful smile.

“So you’re okay with this, Mom?” Adam asked.