Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“He brought his suspicions to me after we returned home from New England. His mom passed away a few months back, and he had been sorting out her assets. He came across some old pictures of her and Dad. Apparently, they dated somewhere between my mom and yours, Barrett.”
“Does Dad know?”
“No. And Xander asked that we keep it that way until he’s ready to tell him. He’d like to break the news himself.”
“I don’t like that,” Barrett said. “Why the prolonged secrecy?”
I was with him on that. Secrets only complicated matters, and the Davenports were complicated enough.
“He wants a chance to make things right with Dad after the dispute last fall. Xander made it clear he’s not after money or any sort of compensation.”
Barrett scoffed. “Oh, please. I don’t trust that guy as far as I could throw him.”
“He has his own money, Barrett,” Phina said defensively.
“Everyone thinks they have money until they see Davenport money. And why are you sticking up for him, brother lover?”
She gasped. “Don’t call me that!”
Barrett shrugged. “You’re the one who tried to sleep with him.”
“We went for one walk!”
“Nothing would have happened anyway,” I jumped in before they broke into full-on juvenile bickering. “Xander’s gay.”
“What?” Phina’s eyes bulged. “He likes men? What the hell is going on with my instincts?”
“You’re upset your half-brother didn’t have a crush on you?” Barrett asked.
“Shut. Up,” Phina growled through bared teeth.
Barrett looked back at Hale. “What do you think of all this?”
Hale, the ever-patient, pragmatic one, drew in a slow breath. “I think it is what it is. He’s our brother. We should probably get to know him.”
I smiled, proud of how accepting my husband was. “I like that idea.”
“Me too,” Phina said.
“You already know him well enough,” Barret joked, and she shoved him.
I looked at Hale, and my grin widened. Our eccentric, little, dysfunctional family grew by two in only one day. Color me surprised! I had foolishly assumed this was the part of the story that got boring. But, apparently, we Davenports had a whole world of fresh drama to look forward to. And I was here for it…
As I’m sure you will be too.
THE END
…for now.