Page 62 of Summer Affair

He did notice she didn’t sleep all the time and, not that he’d tell her this, but she was slowly gaining some of the weight back.

“How are you feeling?” Sophia asked.

“Great, how about you? You’re looking much better,” Andrea said with a smile.

After chatting for a few moments about Sophia’s health, they all went back to the kitchen. The scent of homemade lasagna had hit him the moment he’d turned off his truck. Now it filled the air, and his stomach growled very loudly. Loud enough that his mother handed him a breadstick as she continued preparing the meal.

Sophia poured them each a glass of wine as they waited for the meal to be ready. They sat at the counter bar area and chatted about work, the camp, sailing, horseback riding, and, oddly enough, donuts.

His mother had set the table with care, and once the food was done, they all sat down to eat. He went around and refilled the wine glasses as he watched Andrea relax a bit more. With each moment that passed, the conversation pulled her away from her worries. His mother and sister were experts at making someone feel welcomed and loved. They talked about everything and nothing, the ease of the conversation providing a comforting backdrop to the wonderful homemade meal.

After dinner, the four of them moved out to the front porch, where the evening air was cool and refreshing. They had switched out the wine for coffee and tea, and they each enjoyed some of Sophia’s homemade tiramisu. His sister always made huge batches of it, and he was thankful there was some still left over from the other day.

While Dean and Andrea sat on the swing, his mother and sister sat in the chairs facing them.

He could see Andrea was enjoying herself, but there was still a dark shadow in her eyes. He decided it was time to share something that he and his family had kept private for a long time.

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he set the porch swing swaying lightly.

“I want to tell you something I’ve never told anyone else before,” he began, his voice steady. “Something about my family.” He nodded to his mom and sister.

Andrea looked up at him, curiosity creeping into her eyes.

“Okay.” She shifted slightly. “What? Your mother is really a Russian sleeper spy?” She chuckled as she looked over at the woman in question, who laughed in response.

“Not to my knowledge.” He chuckled and then narrowed his eyes at his mom, who smirked at him.

“If I was”—she changed her voice to a thick accent—“I’d have to kill you now.”

Everyone chuckled lightly. Then Andrea’s smile slipped again. “You’re all so wonderful. Really.” She sighed. “I’ve always been jealous of the closeness the three of you have.”

“Which is part of what I…what we wanted to confess.” He took a deep breath. “Sophia and I are both adopted,” he blurted out. Andrea stilled and frowned up at him, then back to his mother and sister, who both nodded and smiled.

“I had a rare form of cancer when I was child,” his mother said with a shrug. “I don’t remember a time when there was any hope of having biological children.”

“She lost her ovaries before she was ten years old,” his sister added as she took her mother’s hand in her own.

“No one knows this,” he continued, “because my parents never made a big deal out of it. And neither Sophia and I have told anyone.” He smiled over at his sister.

“I didn’t even tell Luke,” she added with a roll of her eyes. “Thankfully.”

“Our folks, well, they just wanted to give us the best life they could. Even after our dad died, we kept the secret because it just, well, it didn’t matter. She is our mother.” He nodded to his mom.

“We’re a family. No matter what,” Sophia added.

Andrea’s eyes widened, her mouth opening slightly in surprise. “I…I had no idea.”

Dean nodded, taking her hand in his. “We wanted to share this family secret with you because we know that you’re struggling with everything that’s happened. I want you to know that family isn’t just about biology. It’s about love and support. My parents couldn’t have kids of their own, but they never let that stop them from creating a loving home. Now my sister is in the same boat. Her husband wasn’t as strong as our father was when things got rough.”

“The man has no spine,” his mother chimed in.

He frowned and nodded in agreement as he thought about Luke.

“Still, you three ladies have a lot in common. Only, well, we won’t abandon you. We’re here no matter what,” he added.

His mother chimed in, her voice gentle. “We’ve always believed that family is what you make it. Love is what binds us together, not blood.”

Andrea looked down at their joined hands, her thoughts clearly racing. Dean could see the impact his words had had on her, and he hoped it would give her something to hold onto.