Tobias met his stare. “Because she deserved to hear the truth from me, and there are not enough miles in this world to make me forget your sister.”

“So, what? Now we’re just supposed to pretend all is well?” Blaine asked. “That you didn’t lie to her?”

“He never lied to me,” Madigan snapped. “What is wrong with you?”

“The answer is no, Blaine. We’re done pretending.” Tobias held Blaine’s gaze, speaking firmly. “We’re leading with honesty and giving this thing between us a shot. I’ve got nothing to hide. I know what I’ve done, and I’ll carry the weight of that to my grave. I know I don’t have much to offer at the moment, and Madigan knows that. I lost my self-respect when I drove away from her and I lost my job when I left town. Now that I’ve got Madigan back, I’ll be pounding the pavement tomorrow looking for a new job. Any other questions?”

“No,” Preacher said authoritatively, shooting Blaine a dark, silencing look. “We appreciate your candor, Tobias.”

“Yes, we do. That couldn’t have been easy,” Reba said, handing a platter of bacon to Zander and one of eggs to Zeke. “Now, let’s go sit down and enjoy a meal, shall we?”

As her family shuffled dutifully toward the dining room, Blaine remained by the counter, arms crossed, and Preacher walked over to him. “I believe your mother said we’re sitting down to breakfast.” He jerked his head in the direction of the dining room, and Blaine reluctantly strode past Tobias into the dining room.

Tobias hiked a thumb toward the door. “I should just—”

“No, sir, you shouldn’t,” Preacher said. “When my wife offers you breakfast, you say thank you and you eat until you’re stuffed, or she’ll feel like she wasted her time in the kitchen.”

“Sounds like my mother. But with all due respect, that was a lot for everyone to process.”

“And they’ll deal with it.” Preacher looked at Madigan. “Our daughter brought you into our home, and she stood her ground when she told us to get used to you being around. If you walk out that door now, Blaine wins.”

“Oh, hell no,” Madigan said, taking Tobias’s arm and dragging him into the dining room.