Page 60 of Haden

Reagan turns toward Tiago. “You could paint something.”

Tiago nods and kisses his wife. “Sure. Right after finishing the nude I started this afternoon of you bent over the chaise lounge with?—”

Reagan screams and slaps a hand over her husband’s mouth.

He chuckles as he pulls her into his lap.

Suddenly, Gretchen bustles into the room. She looks flustered, and she’s wringing her hands together. “I’m so sorry to interrupt you all.” I’m shocked when she looks at me. “Stanford called from the gate. He says a man just pulled up, claiming to be your husband.”

I gasp. “Me?”

Gretchen looks like she’s going to faint. “Yes.”

Haden jumps to his feet so fast his chair falls over and bangs against the floor.

I can’t move. I’m so confused. “My husband?” I repeat. She can’t be talking to me.

Gretchen nods. “Yes.”

“I don’t have a husband,” I say, stating the obvious.

Haden sets a hand on my shoulder. “Did you get a name?” he asks Gretchen.

“Oh, yes. Sorry.” Gretchen reaches into the pocket of her apron and pulls out a piece of paper. “Leonard Winters.”

Haden looks at me.

I’m shaking my head. “I don’t know a Leonard Winters.”

All the men start talking at once.

I push to standing. This is so weird.

Brody rounds to speak to me. “You’re sure you don’t know him?”

I frown. “The name isn’t familiar.”

“Jesus,” Haden mutters.

Dallas joins our circle. “We’ve talked about this possibility.”

“Talked about what possibility?” I ask.

“Impostors showing up. People hoping to make easy money by claiming they have a right to it for some reason or another. It happened to Tiago. Ex-girlfriend claimed her kid was Tiago’s. She was hoping for a payout.”

I resume sitting because my legs won’t hold me up. What a mess. Who would do such a thing?

Haden bends down and cups my face. He gives me a quick kiss. “I’m going to the gate. You stay here.”

“I’m going with you,” Dallas says.

“Me, too,” Brody adds.

The three of them march out of the dining room, heading for the front door.

I’m drawn to follow them. Curiosity consumes me. But when I jump up and hurry to catch up, Ryder stops me with an arm around my waist. “Where do you think you’re going?”

I try to wiggle free. “With them. Let me go.”