Tempting by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online

inquired.” She turned to Dani. “I always enjoy a glass of white wine. Would you join me?”
    â€œI’d love to,” Dani said and had to fight the urge to stick out her tongue at Alex.
    He muttered something under his breath as he crossed to the small bar in the corner.
    Katherine sat down and motioned for Dani to do the same. “Mark mentioned you only recently discovered your connection to him.”
    â€œThat’s right. It’s complicated, but my grandmother told me a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been working up the courage to go see him.”
    â€œWe have both samples for the DNA testing,” Alex said as he handed first his mother, then Dani, a glass of wine. “We’ll have the results in a couple of days.”
    Katherine smiled. “There’s certainly room for one more at our table. Mark and I have always wanted a large family. We made the decision to adopt all our children long before we got married. But my husband is a typical man and should you turn out to be his biological child, I know he’ll be thrilled to know he’s passed on the family gene pool.”
    Everything about Katherine screamed grace and acceptance. Dani was stunned—but in the best way possible. If their situations were reversed, Dani wasn’t sure she could be so open and friendly toward her husband’s unexpected child, even after all these years.
    â€œYou’re being very kind,” she murmured.
    â€œToo kind,” Alex said.
    Katherine glanced at her son, then turned back to Dani. “You’ll meet our other children tonight.”
    â€œI already met Ian.”
    â€œOh, dear.” Katherine shook her head. “Should I brace myself?”
    Dani laughed. “I think he’s terrific.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œHe wanted to know if I was a stripper.”
    â€œI swear, that boy. I apologize for any offense.”
    â€œPlease don’t,” Dani told her. “He’s funny and charming. I really liked him.” Unlike Alex, Ian had been genuine.
    â€œIan deals with life in his own way. He’s brilliant. Stanford has offered him a four-year scholarship, as have several Ivy League schools. He’ll get a technical degree and advance to a level where we’ll have nothing to talk about.”
    She sounded proud as she spoke.
    Alex sipped his drink. “You can always ask him about the latest stripper.”
    Katherine sighed. “I should have adopted only girls.”
    Dani laughed. “You love him. I can hear it in your voice.”
    â€œOf course I do,” Katherine said. “He’s my son.”
    There was such acceptance in her tone. The Canfield children were very lucky to have her in their lives. Mark was, too.
    â€œWe are telling them you’re a friend of the family,” Katherine continued. “Until we have confirmation on your relationship with Mark.”
    â€œOf course,” Dani said quickly. “Even if I am Mark’s daughter, there’s no rush on letting anyone know. I don’t want to make any trouble.”
    Something flickered in Katherine’s eyes, but before Dani could figure out what it was, she heard the sound of running footsteps. Dani looked toward the door as several children rushed inside.
    It was common knowledge that the Canfields had deliberately chosen special needs children when they’d decided to adopt. Two, a teenage girl and a younger boy, had Down’s syndrome. The other children’s issues were less visible. She glanced at Alex. All she knew about his past was that he’d been adopted when he was eight or nine. So what was his story and why had Katherine picked him?
    Katherine held out her arms. The children hurried close, all talking at once. She touched and greeted each one, moving her hands as she spoke to a pretty girl of eleven or twelve.
    Alex was next. The group enveloped him in hugs, then bombarded him with dozens of questions.
    â€œYou