Page 39 of The Addendum

“So, it’s my word against that of a dead woman.”

“Let’s not get carried away. The test first, then we meet. Hopefully, she will have calmed down and can tell us what she wants.”

I nodded, pushing my plate away, my meager appetite totally gone now.

I stood. “I’m heading home. I need to talk to Katy.”

Maddox met my gaze. “Good luck.”

Bentley, who had been relatively quiet, spoke up. “This will pass, Richard. Trust in your wife, in your marriage. Katy is strong. So are your kids. They won’t hold your past against you.”

“How can you be so sure?”

He smiled, shaking his head. “I know how much they love you. A half-sibling might be a shock but not an end. Maybe even a new beginning for all of you?”

I remained silent and left the Hub.

* * *

I headed toward the house, part of me anxious to see Katy, part of me dreading it. I hated knowing I had upset her, and also knowing there was only so much I could do to ease the strain. The Ashley situation was going to have to be dealt with, and it was going to take a long time, not only for Katy and me, but my other kids too. It was a long road ahead of us.

Around the corner ahead of me, Gracie appeared, Kylie toddling beside her. I put on a fake smile and approached them, bending down and lifting Kylie in the air, holding her high.

“How’s my munchkin?”

She grinned her wide, toothy grin and rambled the way she did that always made me smile.

“God, she’s getting bigger every day,” I said. “I swear she grows overnight.”

Gracie smiled. “Jaxson thinks so too. He wants her to stop.”

I ran my hand down Kylie’s back, smiling at the way she snuggled into my shoulder. Gracie used to do the same thing when she was little.

“I think she’s tired,” I observed. “Did Grams wear her out?”

“More like the other way around. Mom seemed tired today.”

I lifted my shoulder, trying to appear nonchalant. “Weddings are emotional, and they take a lot out of us. Add in the retirement thing, your mom is a bit off-kilter.”

She tilted her head, her voice soft. “I call bullshit on that one, Dad,” she said cheerfully, not wanting to upset Kylie.

I frowned. “Language.”

She rolled her eyes. “What’s going on? Mom is trying to act like nothing is wrong, but I can see how tense she is. Jaxson said he picked you up this morning miles from the gate and you weren’t yourself. And Aiden closed the Hub, but you guys were all inside.”

“I look tired. I spent the day with the guys, Gracie. I needed the time. We played basketball, worked out, swam. And yeah, I ran farther than planned this morning. I was thinking and lost track of the miles. I’m physically tired but fine.” I flashed her a smile I hope she bought. “Your dad is old, and I pushed it today. That’s all.”

She narrowed her eyes, clearly not buying it.

“I’m headed home, and I plan on relaxing with Mom tonight. I thought we’d order in some Chinese and open a bottle of wine. Head to bed early. It’s been a busy few days.”

She stepped closer. “Dad, what’s going on?”

I cupped her cheek, shaking my head. “Nothing.”

“Are you and Mom fighting?”

“We’re fine. I promise you.”