“I still can’t get over the fact that you’re a daddy,” Shep said as he sat on his aunt and uncle’s porch, enjoying a beer.

Austin snorted from his chair beside him. “I’m still not over it yet.”

Shep shook his head then took another sip of his beer. “What do you think, Grandpa, you believe it?”

Harry, who sat on the other side of Austin, took a sip of his water. “I do, only because I can see Austin in every little motion Leif makes. It’s funny that kid is so much like you when he had a full decade without you.”

Shep held back an angry response to that. He’d met Maggie once right when he’d left Denver for good so he could move to New Orleans. She’d been spoiled, selfish, and not at all like what Austin had now. He’d had to hold back a few responses when it came to Leif’s mom. It wasn’t fair to speak ill of the dead, but she’d deprived his cousin and the rest of the Montgomerys memories and experiences they’d never get back. And Leif had been forced to stay in a group home, not knowing what his own future would hold because she kept him a secret. That was a fucking huge sin in Shep’s book, and although she was gone, he wasn’t sure he’d ever forgive her for the look on Austin’s face.

His cousin might say he was over it and moving on, but Shep knew better. Austin had no idea how to act around his son, and that was a shame. Sure, the kid was starting to open up, but he hadn’t been around the whole Montgomery clan all at once yet. That was enough to scare anyone, let alone a kid who’d had only his mother for most of his life.

“Leif doing good in school?” Harry asked, his hands shaking.

Shep held back the stinging at the back of his eyes. The radiation was hard on the man, they could all see that, but Harry was strong. Plus with Marie by his side, he was stronger. The prognosis was good according to Harry, and though they were all worried, Shep knew that if they stayed positive, they could make it though.

It didn’t make it any less hard to watch Harry deal with the pain.

Shep met Austin’s eyes and saw his cousin was dealing with the same thing as Shep. It was awful to feel so helpless for those you loved.

“He’s doing good. He’s got a test today that we studied for last night.”

Shep smiled softly at that. The man sounded like such a dad—even though he knew Austin didn’t feel it.

They talked about Leif some more, and Shep soaked it all up. He wanted to know more about the kid’s life and how he was taking it all in.

“You think he’s ready for the barbecue tomorrow?” Shep asked when Harry fell asleep.

Austin stood, throwing a blanket over his father. “Leif? Yeah. I think he’ll be fine. If not, then we can leave. He’s met most of you guys individually, but never as a group.”

“We’re a bit crazy to people who know us, let alone newcomers.”

Austin snorted. “Sierra is coming too, and it’s her first barbecue with the Montgomerys.”

Shep let out a whistle. “Same for Shea actually. At least they’ll have each other when we throw them to the wolves.”

“True. Speaking of Shea, how is she? It’s been a month, and she still seems, I don’t know, off somehow.”

Shep let out a breath. “I don’t know, man. I’ve noticed it too and commented on it. All she says is that she’s fine. Fine. I hate that fucking word. It doesn’t mean fine. It’s a landmine of doom and tears.”

“Damn. You think it’s her mom?”

Shep sighed. Her mom was a first-class bitch and had tried to take everything from Shea more than once.

“I hope not, but the thought’s crossed my mind.”

“I don’t know what to say, Shep. I’m not much help if we can’t figure it out.”

“You have enough on your plate right now that doesn’t have to do with me. Worry about that, and I’ll figure it out. It’s got to be something because she isn’t fine. We both know that. Hopefully she’ll open up to me because it’s killing me that she doesn’t trust me enough to do so.”

Austin looked over sharply. “Trust? You think that’s it?”

Shep ran a hand over his face. “What else could it be? I thought we were open and honest about everything. I guess not.”

“Shep.”

“Whatever. I’m going to head out and back to Griffin’s. Shea is there working on something, and, well, I want to be there.” He met Austin’s gaze then looked over at a sleeping Harry. “We’ll probably head back to New Orleans soon. We’ve been here for a month, and though Shea can do everything from her computer and I’ve been working at Montgomery Ink, we need to get back.”

Austin nodded. “I know. I figured. You just let me know when, and I’ll help if you need me.”

He hugged his cousin, ran a hand over his uncle’s head, and then went back into the house so he could leave. Something was up with Shea. She wasn’t happy, and he could only think it was something he’d done.

He swallowed hard. There was no way he could let her get away with not telling him. He loved her more than anything on this earth, and he needed to know how to help.

Even if it broke him.