Page 25 of Twins for the Silver Foxes

They used to share women. Oh God. What if?

I worked up enough saliva to swallow the burn of bile rushing up my throat. What if they shared Mom? What if one of them was my father? No.No. Absolutely not. I refused to let my mind wander there but it was too late. The thought slipped through as swift and deadly as smoke.

It wasn’t possible. Mom and Dad met after college when Dad lived in Chicago. The facts I’d been told time and again lined up like perfect little army soldiers.

No way I’d been sleeping with three men who were potentially related to me. I tucked the photo into my pocket and finished cleaning up the mess. When I shoved the box back into the corner, I caught sight of my expression in the glass hutch. I’d turned ghostly white, and my hands shook when I closed the door. I met my reflection with a hard scowl. I didn’t look like any of them.

The picture burned in my pocket. All I had to do was march downstairs, show them the picture, and ask for the truth.

Confusion and fear smuggled its way into my brain, forcing me into silence.

13

SCOTT

Icursed at the calendar as I added my upcoming meetings. My mutterings were typical nonsense, but the way my body reacted with a visceral pain right over my heart was new. I couldn’t fight the passage of time. The end of summer had crept up on all of us.

I’d barely seenHannah since the day of Liddy's tea party. She kept busy cooking and cleaning, while our schedules kept us coming and going at all hours. Some days I saw no one but my assistant, an older, stubborn man who made my life easier even if he didn’t understand how to put a meeting into my calendar. He’d been part of my business for so long I dreaded the day he finally decided to retire. He’d be hell to replace.

My phone pingeda message from Ryland, and I opened it to find a video of Hannah and Liddy in the pool. Hannah’s sweet voice infiltrated my space and pushed out every thought of business. “Look, she’s swimming.” Her smile made another pierce of pain lance through my heart.

Of all thewomen through all the years, why was my interest in Hannah so strong and growing stronger over time? I was the perpetual playboy. Ilovedwomen. Yet I’d lost all interest in them the moment Hannah showed up in my life.

“Did you see me?”Liddy popped up in front of Ryland’s phone and waved. “Did you see?”

“I saw.”Ryland’s voice held enough warmth to melt the ice caps. “You were great.” The video ended with Liddy leaping backward into Hannah’s arms.

Damn it all. I fisted my hands on the desk to keep from crushing the phone. I’d give anything to be there with her and Liddy. I’d never been more jealous of Ryland. I ached to push back from the desk and go home to my Hannah.

“You’re a fool.”I shoved both hands through my hair and knocked my head against the desk. The empty thuds sounded hollow in the open office. “Sam, I’m leaving.”

Sam hobbledto the door and eyed me over the rims of his thick glasses. “And me, sir?”

“You can go home.You’ll be compensated for a full day.”

A broad grincreased the old man’s cheeks. “Thank you, sir.” His rambling shuffle quickened as he left my office. He grabbed his hat, coat, and cane, and vacated the building. I grinned and shook my head. He was what I imagined Arthur would be like in forty years.

I followed him out,locking the building behind me, and climbed into my car. Should I call Ryland and Arthur and fill them in on my plan or wait until we were face to face? Arthur had a few more hours at work, but Ryland was home. I checked my watch. Hannah would be putting Liddy down for a nap by the time I arrived. She always stayed close by while Liddy slept during the day.

I hadmy Bluetooth send Ryland a message to meet me in the study and called Arthur to ask if he had anything pressing. “I was just leaving.” He sounded as irritable as I felt. “Why do you ask?”

“Meetme and Ryland in the study when you get home. I have something to discuss.” I ended the call, knowing it would irritate him, then turned my phone off and grinned like an absolute maniac all the way home.

Five hours later,we had everything set up and ready. We’d sent Hannah and Liddy into town with the excuse that I needed my drycleaning picked up and could she stop by the health food store and grab Arthur’s favorite protein drink. She’d been annoyed but did as we asked.

“You’reeither a genius or we screwed up big time.” Ryland clapped me on the shoulder. “I’m hoping for the former. Surely all those women have taught you something.”

Surely.I rubbed my hands together, feeling like a little boy who’d just discovered a pile of presents under the Christmas tree. Only this wasn’t for me. Hannah deserved to have us do something special for her.

“Food’s ready.”Arthur strode into the study. He’d been in charge of cooking. Both Ryland and I were menaces in the kitchen. Arthur had been all too happy to kick us both out and take over.

The front bell chimed,announcing her arrival. I headed out of the study and rushed over to take everything from her.

“Did you know the health food store you sent me to stopped carrying Arthur’s protein? I had to go to three different stores.” An annoyed huff fluttered the hair falling into her eyes. “I hope this stuff is as good as its price tag.” She shook her head. Even after months with us, she remained stymied by our spending.

“It’s worth it, love.”Arthur helped Liddy take off her shoes and held out his hand to her. “Can you both help me in the kitchen? I’m afraid I’ve made quite the mess.”

Hannah’s raised a brow,her posture stiffening. We’d meant to make this fun, but it seemed we’d caught her in a foul mood. Oh well. Too late to back down now. The plan was in motion, and if our impromptu dinner party and request didn’t brighten her mood, nothing would.

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