Mac pulled up to his place of business and took a moment to give it the once-over. The white clapboard shop had a timeless charm. He had wanted a classic look for his business, one that would withstand the test of time. The hunter green shutters added a touch of masculinity to the place. Woodworks. The bronze sign said it all very succinctly.
Woodworking had been the only thing he’d really ever been great at doing. He had never been at the top of his class like Brandon or excelled on the athletic field like Wyatt. Working with his hands had been his peace in the middle of the storms of life. Ever since he could remember he had been crafting pieces out of wood and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. It was a humble endeavor, one that would never bring him fame or riches like some of his brothers. But it was his dream come true.
Thanks to Brandon and Remy investing in his business, he’d been able to create his shop exactly the way he had always dreamed of doing, without worrying about every last dime. And the shop had been a modest success so far, with sales increasing by the day.
His business. He couldn’t help but grin as he took the closed sign from off the door and let himself into his shop. For most of his life he had shied away from dreaming. Dreaming led to heartbreak and dashed hopes. Dreaming led to despair. Even though his life as a Donahue had shown him over and over again the fault in that logic, he’d always been hesitant to throw his penny in the wishing well. How wrong he’d been! Good things could happen for him. Although he wished he could tell himself he deserved it, there was still that little part of him that didn’t think he was worthy.
The sound of a creaking stair drew his attention. Mac stood completely still. Every instinct in his body told him that he wasn’t alone in the shop. The sound of a footstep had him grabbing a plank of wood and pivoting around with the plank extended in his hand as a weapon.
“Whoa! What are you trying to do? Kill me?” the man shouted.
Mac’s shoulders sagged and he released the plank as he laid eyes on the six foot, dark-haired, brown-eyed intruder. With his dark jeans and black T-shirt, he looked like the epitome of someone who was up to no good. He had always been part Ninja!
“Parker! How did you get in here?” he asked with a scowl.
His cousin, Parker Donahue, raised an eyebrow. “Now, Mac, do you really need to ask that question?”
Of course he didn’t. Ever since they were kids Parker had impressed everyone with his uncanny ability to pick locks and gain entry to places that were off limits to them. He’d possessed an innate skill for uncovering things that were hidden away. More times than not, Parker had gotten into major trouble for his shenanigans. Like Mac, Parker had his own house full of siblings, so whenever the extended family came together it was complete mayhem. Even though he’d never liked commotion, reunion s and vacations with the Florida Donahue cousins had been magical. He’d long ago come to the conclusion that God had deliberately placed him in the midst of extroverted people so he could come out of his introverted shell.
“Some things never change,” Mac said, reaching out to grab Parker up in a bear hug. Parker thumped him on the back.
“You didn’t have to fly down. We could have talked it out over the phone,” Mac said. Leave it to Parker to just show up, ready and willing to help out.
“Hey, cuz. You said that you needed my help with something urgent, so here I am.”
“You almost got your head knocked off,” Mac said with a frown.
“My reflexes are better than that,” Parker boasted. “After all these years I can still take you.”
Mac threw his head back and let out a roar of laughter. “Still? I can’t remember you ever taking me.”
Growing up with Parker and his other Florida cousins had been unforgettable. Although they’d been separated by geography, their parents had made sure that they got together at least several times a year. It had given Mac and his siblings a chance to visit the Florida shores and to experience the Southern lifestyle. In return, Parker and his family had been able to enjoy the Cape Cod lifestyle and the pleasures of New England. And there was nothing better than seeing his father reunited with his own brother, Jude, who was one of triplets.
Parker leaned back against his desk. “So, what’s the deal, Mac? Your message was cryptic.”
“Take a seat, Parker and I’ll tell you everything.”
Parker sat down across from him. His eyes were filled with curiosity. As a PI, Mac knew that nothing stimulated Parker’s senses more than a mystery to be solved. He loved putting the pieces together and being out in the field chasing down leads.