When A Man Loves A Woman(37)

“Thank you,” Blue said. “For giving me my forever family.”

“You are so welcome,” Mrs. Worther said. “I have a scrapbook with some of your newspaper clippings inside. You’re a brilliant journalist, Blue. A keen observer of life in all its complexities.”

One by one the brothers took turns greeting the woman who had made their lives with Alec and Maggie possible. Mrs. Worther remembered each of their stories and the tragedies that had placed them in the foster care system. It was evident that she had kept her eye on them well after they had been adopted. She had never give up her post as their guardian angel.

Wyatt walked up and placed a kiss on Mrs. Worther’s cheek. “Seeing you is like seeing a rainbow in the sky.”

“Oh, Wyatt. Always the charmer. I always knew you were going to be a shimmering star. There was something about you that let me know you were going to shine. And oh how you have shined.”

Wyatt winked at her. “Well, I did tell you that I wanted to smash all kinds of baseball records. I’m still working at it. I won’t rest until my name is in the record books. Hall of Fame even.”

Nick, Brandon and Ryder all came forward individually. Each time Mrs. Worther brought forth a special memory that she had stored in her heart over the last two decades. It was astounding to Mac that despite time and age and circumstances, she still remembered with such vivid detail.

Mrs. Worther looked around at all of them. She swiped at her eyes with her fingers. “You don’t know how happy you’ve made me. Things have been a little rough lately. I lost all of my savings through a Ponzi scheme.” She shook her head. “I’m not feeling sorry for myself though. Life is what you make it. I’m making lemonade instead of sucking on lemons.”

“That’s the spirit,” Brandon said. “Although I’d like to wring the person’s neck who stole your savings. That’s a tough blow.”

“Life is full of tough stuff,” she said matter-of-factly. “You boys know that more than most.”

“How can we help you?” Tears gathered in Mac’s eyes. “You saved us in every way possible that a person can save another human being. We owe you everything.”

“I don’t want a thing from you boys.” She wagged a finger at him. “The only thing I want is for us to sit down for a meal together. How about we have dinner here at six o’clock. I’m cooking. How does that sound?”

“That sounds great,” Ryder said as he pulled Mrs. Worther in for a parting hug. “It will give us time to check in to the hotel. We’re staying overnight at Hanover House.”

Hanover House was a well-known bed and breakfast in the area that had been able to accommodate them with seven rooms. They basically would have the whole bed and breakfast to themselves which was convenient.

“We’ll see you at six sharp,” Remy said, pausing to place a kiss on her temple.

“I’ll be waiting for you boys…with bells on,” she said with a smile that lit up her face. “How often does a woman get to have seven handsome men all to herself?”

Once all seven brothers were outside, they exchanged looks filled with hidden meaning. Having grown up together they were able to communicate without saying a word. Mac knew they were all on the same page without even speaking a word.

“So,” Wyatt said, “What do we need to do to get this house out of foreclosure?”

“Great minds think alike,” Nick said. “We need to move on this quickly.”

“Let’s all chip in on this,” Mac suggested. Although he wasn’t rich by any means it was important to him to contribute to this endeavor. No matter how big or small the contribution he might be able to make, it would feel satisfying to help.

Brandon pulled out his cell phone. “Let me call BD Holdings and have them start moving on this before someone else buys the property. Rose will get on it right away. We can figure out how to divvy it up later. What’s most important is that Mrs. Worther gets her home back. ASAP. And I’d like to personally give her back every cent she lost in that Ponzi scheme.”

The brothers all put their fists out and bumped them together. “Donahue strong!” they said in unison.

Mac felt his chest expanding by the second with good will. He felt like the luckiest guy on the planet. There hadn’t even been a discussion amongst his brothers about whether or not they should support Mrs. Worther in her time of need. They all knew what they owed her. Their very lives. Although there was truly no way to ever repay her for what she’d given them, saving her house would be a step in the right direction.