brothers?” He always had to crack a joke. It was a welcome relief, though, and got a few slight smiles.
“It’ll take time to process, and I want all of you to know I’m here to answer any questions along the way,” Joseph said before he leaned back. He waited to see if any of them would say anything. Silence hung heavy over all of them so Joseph sat back up.
“I’m sure you six have a lot of talking to do without me overhearing,” he told them. They stared at him with confused looks.
“I don’t know what to think,” Damien finally said, his face a bit blanched. “My father truly was a monster, but this takes his monstrous acts to a whole new level. I wonder if there are other women out there.”
“Yes, he was scum. I don’t like speaking ill of the dead, but your father didn’t have a single redeemable quality in him. However, I’m grateful for his life, because without him, I wouldn’t have the six of you. So he did at least leave something great behind,” Joseph said.
“True. I guess good can come from evil,” Brandon said with a crooked smile. “I want to scream, but what else can you do but throw your hands in the air and crack a joke? I mean, this stuff just doesn’t happen in real life.”
“It sure does in the Anderson universe,” Finn said as he leaned back while sipping his beer.
“At least we’re never bored,” Damien said. And that’s what it took to break the tension hanging heavy at their table. Everyone seemed to let out a breath of air at once. “It’s not at all okay, but this is just another bump in the road.”
“That’s true. I can’t consider my life boring,” Finn said, reaching over and patting Damien’s back. Joseph was proud of these kids, proud of them for taking Damien in. He was their brother and Joseph had no doubt he’d feel like he’d always been with them in no time at all.
Joseph zeroed in on Hudson. “Speaking of boredom. What will you do now that the veterans project is finished?” He wanted to change the subject. They’d been sullen long enough. It was time to look to the future instead of the tragic past.
“I’ve been thinking about it for weeks,” Hudson said. “I want to build a golf course community with housing, shops, and dining. I’ve worked on the plans for years with Noah; now I want to see it come to life. But I need to find the perfect property, which seems to be an impossible task. I don’t want to rush and be unhappy in the end.”
Joseph’s smile grew. “I know of a piece of property that isn’t on the market yet, and you can get it for a great price. I think it would fit your needs perfectly.”
“What’s the catch?” Hudson asked.
The brightness that had been dimmed in Hudson’s eyes for about a month was beginning to light back up at Joseph’s words, but an undercurrent of suspicion remained. Joseph would have to tone down his smile. His family had grown suspicious of his actions in recent years. He didn’t understand why because results couldn’t lie, and they were all incredibly happy. They should thank him for his meddling ways, not fight him every step of the way.
“There’s no catch. I have an old friend who has a lot of acres he’s looking to sell. In the old days it was a working farm, but now it’s neglected land waiting for someone with a vision. He wants to move to the new senior living facility where he can socialize and live a real life.”
“Is the property online?” Hudson asked.
“Nope. But I’ll take you there now if you want,” Joseph said.
Hudson’s eyes lit with excitement. “That would be great.”
The line had been cast, and his fish had bitten. This year was getting slightly better. It would end with perfection. His wife would be cured, and one more nephew was going to catch the marriage flu.
Then Crew would have his undivided attention.
He leaned back and listened as the boys began loosening up with one another. He pulled out one of his favorite cigars and took his time lighting it. He’d take Hudson to the property in a little while. For now, he was making plans, and he couldn’t wait to share them with his circle of matchmakers.
Chapter Twelve
Insults were shouted as Daisy Green glared at the construction crew trying their best to intimidate her. They