Page 133 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

“Who?”

Hale’s lips firmed. It was clear he hadn’t expected an audience for this conversation, but he was getting one as Barrett also walked in.

“Good morning, parents!” He greeted, carrying a beautiful bouquet. “Where’s my goddaughter?”

I frowned. We already made it clear that Tyler would be the godfather. “Those flowers are beautiful.”

“Thanks. They’re for Hale.”

Hale rolled his eyes. “Maybe it’s good that you're both here. I have some news.”

The room sobered, and Barrett crossed his arms. “What’s going on?”

“It’s about Xander Landry.”

Seraphina perked up, and Barrett glanced at me in question. I was staying out of it. “What about him?”

“As it turns out…” Hale cleared his throat. “He’s our brother.”

Both of their jaws nearly hit the floor.

“What?”Seraphina snapped in a high pitch voice. “That’s impossible.”

“Come on, Phina. Nothing’s impossible with Dad.”

“No,” she argued. “We…” She shook her head. “I… There has to be some kind of mistake. Who told you this?”

“A doctor.”

“Does Xander know?” Barret asked, on an entirely different train of thought, one that likely had to do with math and word problems revolving around inheritances and fractions that just got a lot smaller.

“He does now. We saw a specialist to confirm everything last week. I wanted to be sure before I told you guys.”

“What would make you even suspect that?” Phina demanded. “He looks nothing like a Davenport.”

“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 onlycomplicated 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!”

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