Page 3 of Unexpected

“Cash,” Ava said, running a soothing hand over his back.

“I’m reeling more than a little,” Simon said. “It’s going to take time to wrap my head around everything.”

“I understand,” I said. His words gave me hope that he had every intention of doing just that.

“Do you have any proof of what you’re claiming?” Seth asked.

I shook my head. “Only my mother’s word, but I’m willing to do a test. Whatever you want.” Again, I looked at Simon because that was up to him, not his son.

“Maybe. I don’t know. I’m not thinking straight.” Simon rubbed his forehead.

“It’s okay, Dad,” Hayden said. “You don’t have to figure out everything tonight.”

“None of us do,” Faye said. “I, for one, am glad you told us, Knox. I won’t put words into my husband’s mouth, but he’s one of the most caring men I’ve ever known. I suspect you have some of that in you too.”

“Remains to be seen,” Cash said. “He’s been lying to us for months.”

“Cash,” Simon said sharply.

“It’s okay,” I said. “He’s right. I want to apologize for that. You might not believe me, but it’s been keeping me up at night. You all have been so welcoming, and I hated not leveling with you, but I thought your dad—ourdad—shouldn’t be the last to find out. I thought I’d run into him long before this. And while I’m apologizing, I’m sorry for raining on your happy news tonight. I hesitated, but I didn’t know when I would get this opportunity again, where you were all together.”

“That’s fair,” Hayden said. “I just have one question. How the hell am I getting stuck with yet another older brother?”

There was halfhearted laughter, mostly from the women and Holden, and I sensed it would take a while for Seth and Cash to accept me—if they ever did.

“Welcome to the family, Knox,” Hayden said as she gave me a quick hug, and a small portion of my tension dissipated as I let it sink in that I was hugging my half-sister. Family.

“Thanks, Hayden.”

Before I could say more, Simon spoke up. “Like Faye said, I’m glad you told us. I hope we can get to know each other. Faye and I are leaving town for a long weekend. That’ll give me a chance to start to absorb this news. Let me get your phone number. I don’t know much, but I do know, if you’re my son, I’d like to know you better.”

“Thank you. I’d like that.” I exhaled, feeling the beginnings of relief that he hadn’t rejected me or taken the news badly. A chance was all I wanted.

When he held out his phone with my name typed into a contact, I entered my phone number.

“Let’s go, Ava. See if we can get back to our celebratory mood,” Cash snapped. He stormed toward the patio exit without saying goodbye to anyone.

“Are we still on for tomorrow?” Ava asked me, half-turned to watch her fiancé leave.

“If you’re up for it, hell yes.” I needed to bury my brain back in fiction writing as soon as possible.

“It’s my job. Cash isn’t going to like it, but you and I are working together. I’m still totally in. I’ll be there.” She squeezed my arm again. “I gotta go. Night, everyone.”

“Night, Ava. Good luck with him,” Hayden called after her. Others said their goodbyes to her as well.

There was nothing else I could say tonight to win anyone over. I’d known this going in, but I couldn’t help feeling empty. Worried. “It’s getting late,” I said. “I’m going to take off. I’m probably not the most welcome guy right now. Again, I’m sorry for the inopportune timing. Thanks for hearing me out.”

Simon—my father—stepped forward, his hand extended. We shook as he said, “I’ll be in touch soon, Knox. You have a good night.”

“Good night.” I nodded at the group in general and headed to the exit, noting only a couple of them said goodbye.

As I walked toward the house I’d just bought down the road, I couldn’t help but wonder if purchasing real estate here in Dragonfly Lake, Tennessee, had been premature and overly optimistic. If moving to the same small town as my only biological family was a giant mistake.

What if my only living family never accepted me?

The thought of them had given me hope for the past few months. Getting to know my half-brothers—even though they hadn’t realized we were related—had given me a taste of what it would be like to be part of a family, to not be so alone. In the process, I’d fallen in love with this close-knit community, the scenic town situated on the shore of Dragonfly Lake.

Now I wondered if I’d ever truly be accepted here as a member of the Henry family or if I’d just made the biggest miscalculation of my life.

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