New Year’s Day, the Caldwell family plus Marley, Braden, and Marisa’s brother, Chance, gathered at the Triple C dining table to eat the traditional black-eyed peas and cornbread.

Wyatt was as nervous as a condemned man, but his usual quiet demeanor drew no suspicious looks. Only Marley, who squeezed his thigh beneath the table, knew his angst.

The family was doing their annual “year in review” of accomplishments, goals realized, and God’s blessings. Some had already shared, and the clock was ticking until Wyatt would have to speak.

“To my incredible husband, Ace,” Marisa said, raising a flute of sparkling juice. “Another year of sobriety. I’m so proud of you, honey.”

She choked on the last words, and Ace leaned over and smooched her cheek while the others tapped their glasses with hearty amens.

When the congrats subsided, Nate cleared his throat and stood. “Whitney and I have an announcement. Don’t we, babe?”

His beaming, blushing wife quietly folded her napkin and stood with him.

“This is no surprise to Wyatt. You know how good he is at keeping secrets.”

Wyatt winced at the words, truer than they knew. All heads turned to look at him.

Beneath the table, Marley patted his knee.

“I figure I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have a woman like Whitney and to have these little girls call me Daddy.” Nate and Whitney exchanged loving glances. “But come next August, we’ll be adding on.”

Emily blinked in confusion. “To your house?”

Nate laughed. “To our family. Whitney’s pregnant. We’re having a baby.”

The ensuing reaction rocked the dining room. Chairs scraped. Everyone talked at once, exuberant with joy. Hands beat on Nate’s back until the guy would probably have bruises. Connie alternated between crying and praising, mostly in Spanish.

Even as nervous as he was, Wyatt felt his brother’s thrill. Nate’s announcement would temper the shock of Wyatt’s.

When the noise subsided and everyone was reseated, Emily and Levi stood. Then Connie and Gilbert each shared their blessings, and Wyatt was sure he saw a tender look pass between them. Maybe something electric.

All he could think, after the initial surprise, was, it’s about time.

When his turn came, he slowly stood. “I’ve had an interesting year.”

“You sure have,” Ace said, noting the ring on Marley’s left hand. They’d bought it the day they’d emptied Marley’s apartment and moved her and Braden to Calypso.

Snickers moved around the table.

Wyatt allowed a small grin. “Yeah, that part’s been great. The icing on an otherwise problematic cake.”

A frown creased Connie’s forehead. “I knew there was something troubling you.”

“You were right, as always.” He sucked in a breath, searching for the right words, though he’d rehearsed a dozen times. The dining room waited in silence. From the family room drifted the sound of children at play. Wyatt could hear his own heart pounding.

“Last April I was playing around on the computer, looking at ancestry stuff, and I happened onto an entry that gave me pause. Being me, I dug deeper. It took several months to be sure, but to make this long story shorter, I have news that’s going to be hard to hear.” He reached a hand down to Marley, and in an instant, she was standing beside him, strengthening his resolve.

“The truth will set you free,” she murmured. No one knew that better than Marley.

“What is it, Wyatt?” his black-haired sister asked. “Why so mysterious?”

He looked around the table, his gaze landing on each one. His family. The people he loved enough to die for.

How would they take the news? Would Ace punch a wall in anger? Would Nate and Emily be in denial? Would they lose their respect for the one man all of them revered?

“I don’t want to hurt you guys, but we all have this idolized version of Dad. At least, I do. This is about Dad, but the situation involves us all. You have a right to know.”

“Come on, man. Spit it out.” This from Ace.

“Okay, okay.” Sweat slid down his collar. His hand was slick against Marley’s. “I can’t explain the details. I don’t know the details. But one thing I do know.”

He hesitated, and then sucked in pork scented air and blurted, “There’s another Caldwell kid out there somewhere. Her name is Dallas. She’s Dad’s daughter.”

A stunned silence filled the space. Even the children in the other room were quiet for a change. He watched the faces of his family. Bewilderment, shock, and undeniable hurt.

Ace narrowed his eyes. “Are you saying Dad cheated on Mom?”

Wyatt shook his head. “Dallas happened after Mom died.”

“I don’t believe it.” Emily said. “Dad was devoted to Mom’s memory. He wouldn’t.”

“I wish I was wrong, but I’m not. I’m sorry. I know this is a shock.”

Connie rose, composed but pale beneath her natural tan. “Wyatt would not have brought this to us unless he was certain.”

He loved that woman.

“The question is not, does she exist. She does. I have plenty of proof. The question is, what do we do about her?”

The room was silent long enough for Wyatt to guess their thoughts. He waited, knowing what was to come, and praying they wouldn’t regret it.

After the longest moment in history, Ace broke the silence. He held up his glass and studied the contents. “She’s a Caldwell.”

“Which means there’s only one thing left to do.” Nate dropped his napkin to the tabletop, and his quiet brown gaze settled on Wyatt. “You know where she is?”

Wyatt surveyed the table. Every head nodded in agreement. He’d known they’d come to this conclusion. He just hadn’t expected it this quickly.

“I can find her.”

Ace leaned back in his chair, green eyes steady and sure. “Then do it. And bring her home. Time to meet our baby sister.”