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know, you’re the first…woman associated with Dylan that this family has ever met.”
    “I’m sure Lisa needs to know that,” Dylan said with a shake of his head. “And this is my father, Alex.” Dylan’s voice lost the note of loving warmth when he introduced his father, and again Lisa wondered at the rift between them.
    “Nice to meet you, Lisa,” Alex said, taking her hand in both of his and squeezing it tight. “Welcome to our family.”
    To Lisa’s surprise, she felt a lump forming in her throat at his greeting and the warm and welcoming smile he bestowed on her. They didn’t know her at all, yet she felt as if she was being accepted like a fellow family member.
    “Thank you,” she said, suddenly short of words.
    “And with the twins is their friend Kerry.” Lisa turned to face a smiling young woman bracketed by the twins. But Kerry had eyes only for Dylan. “Hello, Dylan,” Kerry said, her voice low. And sweet.
    Lisa got an inkling of Dylan’s dilemma and felt a flash of pity.
    “We’re not late, are we?” Another female voice behind them made Dylan’s head snap up, his eyes narrowing as a chorus of hellos greeted this new arrival.
    Curious, Lisa turned around. A tall, willowy brunette wearing an eye-catching red shift entered the room. Following her was a man of about the same height, wearing a suit and tie.
    “Hello, everyone.” The brunette paused at Alex’s side, leaning sideways to brush a kiss near his cheek. “How are you, Dad?” She didn’t wait for a reply, but turned to Dylan. “So the prodigal son has returned.” She reached Dylan, but he didn’t echo her greeting. Nor did he raise his arms to her as she did to him.
    “I didn’t know you and Ted were coming.”
    Lisa’s heart plunged.
    Would Dara recognize her as Gabe’s stepsister? Her mind raced backward, wondering if she had ever sent Gabe a picture of herself. The man beside her must be Ted. Dylan’s brother.
    Lisa felt suddenly exposed and panicky. She tried not to shift behind Dylan. To hide.
    But so far Dara had eyes only for Dylan, and Ted was ignoring them both. “Your mother told me you were going to be here, so I thought I would surprise you.” Dara laid her hand on Dylan’s shoulder, giving him a light shake. “So, surprise.”
    But Dylan didn’t look surprised. Nor did he look as pleased as Dara sounded.
    Dylan shifted away from her, looking toward Lisa. “Dara, Ted, I’d like you to meet Lisa Sterling, my date.” Lisa felt her heart jump at the last two words. It sounded so final.
    Dara’s hand slid down from Dylan’s shoulder as she slowly turned around. Her brown eyes narrowed, zeroing in on Lisa.
    Here it comes, thought Lisa, her heart jumping like a kangaroo. She tried to smile. Tried to look casual.
    But before Dara could speak, Ted reached past his wife and shook Lisa’s hand, his smile far more welcoming than Dara’s.
    “This is a first for us,” Ted said with a light laugh. “Nice to finally meet one of Dylan’s girlfriends.”
    “Supper’s ready,” Stephanie Matheson announced, bringing a large casserole dish to the table. “Dylan, you can sit on the far corner of the table. Lisa, I’ve put you beside Dylan.” Stephanie’s smile held the same warmth that Alex’s had. And as Lisa sat at the table, second and third and even fourth thoughts assailed her.
    She should have taken Dylan’s offer of a hotel. It would have been better for her and Gabe if she had maintained a distance from this family.
    She hadn’t expected to meet Dara and Ted this soon. Nor had she expected to like this family. It created a confusion she couldn’t dismiss.
    “You should sit on the end, Kerry.” Amber moved over from her place kitty-corner from Dylan. Amber flashed Lisa an apologetic look. “Kerry’s left-handed.”
    Lisa returned Amber’s smile, but couldn’t help notice the way Kerry eyed Dylan.
    The bustle died down as everyone sat at the table. Stephanie took her husband’s hand and gave