In the meantime, he and Amos had made a lot of progress in a few short weeks. The man was a master carpenter and would be able to command top prices anywhere in the city, but for now, he was fixing up a home for his daughter. For Mercy.

And in exchange for labor, Amos and Abigail had taken over the top floor of Rafe’s Victorian. They’d gotten Abigail a puppy, so her life was pretty complete.

“Are you finished, Karl?” Irina asked, poised to strike a match and light the candles on Mercy’s cake.

“Almost, maya lubimaya,” Karl said with a sweet smile. “I can’t forget Tom and Liza.”

Rafe almost laughed out loud at that. His father had a serious crush on Tom Hunter, the former basketball pro. Karl was all sports, always, so having a pro in their midst made him as giggly as Abigail with her puppy.

Tom shook his head, looking embarrassed. Liza looked . . . sad, and Rafe made a mental note to talk to her. They’d gotten to know the younger woman fairly well over the last few weeks. She almost never missed Sunday dinner and seemed to thrive on the family atmosphere.

They knew she was originally from Minneapolis, that she’d served in Afghanistan, that she was going to study nursing at UC Davis starting in July, and that she had an adoptive family of her own back in Chicago, but none of them understood the relationship between Tom and Liza. The two claimed to be “just friends,” but Rafe wasn’t buying it.

“And,” Karl said dramatically, “we also welcome Geri and Jeff.” He turned to Jeff’s mother. “Geri, you are welcome anytime.”

“Dad!” Zoya whined, but Jeff Bunker shook his head and laughed.

“You know I’m kidding, Zoya,” Karl said fondly. “I don’t think Jeff is in any danger from any of us.”

“For now,” Rafe said darkly, but it was an act. Mostly. Bunker had proven himself to be a smart guy with a truly soft heart. “Just . . . you know.”

“Rafe,” Zoya hissed.

Jeff faked a shudder. “I know. Touch your sister and you’ll break my fingers, yada yada yada.” He held up both hands. “I’m not touching.”

“I know,” Zoya grumbled.

Rafe laughed. “Finish your toast, Dad. Mom’s about to light herself on fire with those matches.”

Irina shot him a withering look and Rafe sank down in his chair, but he was unable to hide his grin. “You are the one to watch yourself, sinok rodnoy moi.”

“Ooh.” Mercy elbowed him. “She three-named you. With sarcasm even.”

Sasha cleared her throat loudly and pointed to Erin, who scowled back at her.

“And Erin,” Karl said. “Although I feel like you were part of our family before, because of your friendship with Rafe. However, now we welcome you as nashe dochke.”

Sasha gulped audibly, turning to Erin to whisper-shout, “Daughter.”

Erin turned four shades of purple and her eyes filled with tears, but she nodded her thanks.