Mac’s fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around Sharon’s, as though seeking strength for what he needed to say next. “Just over two years ago, I lost my six-week-old son to a very rare genetic birth defect. A problem with his blood. The doctors told me the condition was hereditary, that it would have shown up somewhere in my family history. Does that sound familiar to you?”
Looking understandably distressed by Mac’s loss, Caleb shook his h
ead adamantly. “There’s absolutely no history of genetic birth defects on either side of my family. I would know if there was.”
Sharon hoped Mac had found some comfort in that reassurance. She couldn’t imagine the pain he must have gone through when he’d lost his child. The anguish of not knowing whether it had been his absent father who had passed on that gene.
Still without expression, Mac nodded. “Then you’ve answered all the questions I had when I came here. There’s no need for you to worry. I no longer need the revenge I once thought I wanted.”
Caleb wiped his face with his hand again. “Mac—she named you Mac?”
“Miguel Luis. She called me Mac—after you, I know now, though she never told me your name. When she died, I learned that my father was a McBride from Honoria. I didn’t know until you told me that it was you, and not one of your brothers.”
“So you literally came here on a private quest for answers. That must have taken a great deal of courage.”
Mac shrugged. “I just needed to know.”
“Your mother was a very special woman, Mac. I’m sorry I caused her, and you, so much pain with my weaknesses.”
“My mother bore part of the blame—but you’re right. She was very special. She gave me a good life.”
“I’m happy to hear that. And now that we all know the truth—”
Mac broke in with a shake of his head. “My mother didn’t want to break up your family, and neither do I. I’ve met all your children and your grandchildren. They’re nice people. From what I’ve heard, your wife is a fine woman. There’s no need to hurt any of them by stirring up the past. I plan to leave town soon. You needn’t worry that I’ll cause you any trouble.”
Still holding Mac’s hand, Sharon rested her free hand on his forearm, bringing them closer together. It had been a very gracious concession. She was as proud of him as she was saddened for him.
This time it was Caleb who shook his head. “I intend to tell Bobbie the whole story. Our children, too. Your siblings have a right to know that they have another brother, and you deserve to get to know them. I’ve lost thirty-three years of my eldest son’s life. I don’t want to waste any more time.”
Sharon felt her eyes well with fresh tears. The emotion in Caleb’s voice was so strong, so touching that it went straight to her heart. Was Mac equally affected?
The gruffness of his voice told her that he was. “I doubt that either your wife or Trevor would appreciate hearing you refer to me as your ‘eldest son.”’
“Bobbie will have the most difficult time with it, of course,” Caleb admitted honestly. “But she’s a strong woman with a few old secrets of her own. We’ve made a comfortable life together here. She won’t throw it away easily. As for Trevor—all of my children have big, generous hearts. And there is nothing they value more than family. You are their brother, Mac. Once you get to know them, you’ll understand how important that is to them.”
“And what about you?” Mac challenged.
Caleb blinked rapidly. “You’re my son. Once you get to know me, you’ll understand how important that is to me.”
Sharon could almost feel Mac begin to panic. “I didn’t come here to join your family,” he said bluntly. “I’ve gotten by just fine without a father, without siblings. It’s too late for me to learn how to deal with them now. I think it would be best if we all just agree to keep this to ourselves.”
Caleb squared his shoulders, and Sharon realized that Mac hadn’t inherited all his stubbornness from his mother. “I let Anita talk me into leaving without looking back,” he said. “I know now what a tragic mistake that was. I won’t make it a second time. I’m telling my wife the truth. You do what you have to do, Mac—but I hope you’ll choose to stay for a while. God knows you don’t owe me a thing, but I’d like to find out if there’s a chance you can ever forgive me.”
Mac released Sharon’s hand and stepped away from her, causing her arm to fall to her side. “I’ve hurt too many people in my life. I won’t cause any more pain. You were all getting along just fine before I came here,” he said, glancing at Sharon to include her. “You’ll do the same again after I leave.”
Sharon decided it was time for her to join the conversation. She faced Mac with her hands on her hips. “Don’t you think it’s up to us to decide how we were getting along before you came here? Maybe we think our lives will be better for having you in them.”
“And if I think you’re wrong?”
“Then maybe we’d like the right to try to change your mind.” She stepped toward him and placed her hand on his rigid arm again. “You’re a good man, Mac Cordero. You care about other people, even though you sometimes try to hide your feelings. But that stiff-necked pride of yours is only going to hurt you in the long run if you aren’t very careful. It sounds as if you got it from your mother. But perhaps it would have been better for everyone if she hadn’t let her own pride rule her actions.”
She knew she had taken a risk with even that slight criticism of his mother. To her relief, Mac didn’t seem to take offense—maybe because he was simply too distracted by his own confused emotions.
“No one here is asking for any lasting commitments from you, Mac,” she added gently. “We only want the chance to get to know you better. To see what the future has to hold for us all.”
She hadn’t forgotten that Caleb was there, that he heard every word she was saying. But reaching Mac now seemed much more important than protecting her own pride. Something told her that if she missed this chance, there might not be another one. And she wasn’t willing to risk that.
“Maybe it’s too late for me to be your father, Mac,” Caleb added quietly. “But I hope it’s not too late for me to be your friend.”