“Not yet. But they’re trying to stand,” Ivy said. “And bark. Lulu is a little bossy.”

Dani looked at the video, none of the wariness on her face softening. “She’ll have to be bossy to keep up with us.”

“When can we take her home?” Bella asked.

“About six weeks,” Ivy said.

“What about the other puppies?” Bella asked.

“I’ll find homes for them,” Ivy said. “Don’t worry.”

“Maybe they’ll live close, and they can have playdates with Lulu,” Bella said.

“That might happen,” Dani said. “Why don’t you go inside and eat your afternoon snack? I made you a sandwich.”

Bella hit replay on the short video, watched the puppies play one more time, and then ran inside.

When the door closed, Dani said, “Not that I don’t love puppy updates, but what’s really up?”

“I went into Elizabeth City to see Talley. Dalton had a stop at the lumberyard, and he came along.”

“Wasn’t that convenient,” Dani said as she eyed her brother.

“Talley knows more than we realized.” Layers of meaning lingered under Dalton’s words.

“Did she?” Dani asked.

Ivy relayed what they’d learned from Talley about Ann, Peter, and Ruth.

Dani listened, took it all in, shaking her head. “Ruth always said we were family. I thought she meant it metaphorically.”

“Literally,” Ivy said, sensing Dalton’s growing impatience.

He finally cleared his throat. “What’s going on with you, Dani?”

Ivy ducked her eyes as she shook her head. Subtle as a bull in a room full of glass.

“I don’t know, Dalton,” Dani said. “What is going on?”

Ivy could feel Dani’s gaze but didn’t say a word.

“Don’t give Ivy the look,” Dalton said. “She’s said nothing. You, however, are speaking volumes.”

“What’s that mean?” Dani folded her arms over her chest.

Ivy wished she had her car now. These two did not need an audience, especially a newly discovered cousin, for this conversation.

“What’s wrong, Dani?” Dalton asked in a softer tone. “I want to help.”

“What if I don’t need help?” Dani challenged.

He grumbled an oath. “We’re too old for guessing games.”

Dani sighed, tapped a ringed finger on her bicep. “Ivy.”

Ivy held up her hands, no longer willing to nurse a secret in light of all that she’d learned today. “You need to talk to your brother. He needs to know.”

“Shit,” Dani muttered. “You finally got your chance at payback.”

“What?” Ivy asked.

“For Matthew, for taking what wasn’t ever mine,” Dani said.

Ivy shook her head as she took a step back. “I’m going for a walk,” she said. “There’s a coffee shop down the road. I’ll be there.”

“Take my truck home,” Dalton said, frowning. “Dani and I’ll have a nice long chat, and then I’ll get the truck later.”

“How will you get back?” Ivy asked.