The brothers headed off to Hanover House and checked in to the bed and breakfast. They managed to take a quick walk into town before heading back to the B & B to rest up, shower and change their clothes. Mac had purchased a necklace for Delilah in a unique jewelry store he came across. The turquoise and sterling silver would look wonderful on Delilah, he thought. Although his brothers seemed very interested in his purchase, he wasn’t sharing his plans for the necklace. Some things didn’t need to be dissected with his brothers. For now at least, he was keeping his relationship with Delilah as private as possible and hoping his brothers would respect his wishes on the matter. The last thing he wanted was for Sarah, Rose, Gabi, Layla, Kaitlyn and Tess to get involved in his love life. And if his mother got a whiff of the fact that he was dating Delilah there would be a grand inquisition.
The very thought of it made him shudder.
At six o’clock on the nose they returned to Mrs. Worther’s house. They had arrived bearing gifts. A bouquet of roses. A box of chocolates. Season tickets for the Bay State Bombers. And a special surprise in an envelope. Once they stepped inside they were treated to the delicious smell of food emanating from the kitchen. Mac’s stomach grumbled noisily, earning him a jab in the side from Wyatt.
“You boys are spoiling me,” Mrs. Worther chided as she accepted all the gifts. “And I love you for it,” she said with a cackle. “I feel like Queen for a day.”
“Mrs. Worther. We have something else for you,” Brandon said as he handed her the envelope.
“Oh my goodness! What’s in here?” she asked as she slitted the envelope open with her nail and gingerly removed the document inside. All the blood seemed to drain from her face as she scanned the paperwork. She dragged her eyes up to meet their gazes. “I can’t believe this. What have you done? This is the deed to my house.”
“It’s yours now. Lock, stock and barrel,” Mac said, his voice vibrating with emotion.
“You’ll never have to worry about having a roof over your head again,” Ryder said.
Mrs. Worther let out a cry and covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders began to shake with her sobs. The brothers looked at one another, uncertain as to what to do to help her distress.
“Are you all right?” Nick asked, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
She dropped her hands and shook her head. “Oh, boys. I’m terrific. Those were tears of relief and joy and admiration for all seven of you. Twenty years ago I helped you find a home. Now it’s come full circle. You’ve given me my home back.”
Due to Brandon’s vast connections and his multi-million dollar corporation, BD Holdings, he had been able to make a transaction through his legal team. Rose, knowing how much this endeavor meant to her husband, had made sure the matter was expedited. They had hand delivered the deed in a matter of hours to Hanover House, along with a hefty check for her bank account. Mac felt a burst of pride at the influence Brandon had in the world and the way he could make important things happen with a simple phone call. He was a strong, humble man who worked hard and rewarded those he loved with his fortune.
Mac felt the hot splash of tears on his face. He looked around him. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. All of his brothers were emotional. The symmetry of the moment was undeniable. Home. Such a simple word, yet rich beyond measure.
After a few minutes during which Mrs. Worther thanked them profusely for their gift of the deed to her house and the check, she called them into the dining room for dinner. Eight chairs were spaced out around her long table. A delicate lace tablecloth covered the wood. Mac could tell from the mahogany legs of the table that it was good quality workmanship. It looked antique. It made him happy that she had been able to hold on to precious items despite her financial struggles. The table was full of a wide selection of dishes. Fried chicken. Roasted mashed potatoes. Green beans. Piping hot bread. Zucchini and squash. Macaroni and cheese.
Mac patted his stomach as he took a seat next to Mrs. Worther. Everything looked amazing. Brandon sat down on the other side of her. The rest of his brothers took their seats around the table.
“Let’s hold hands and say Grace,” Mrs. Worther said in a solemn voice as she bowed her head.
As they held hands and created a chain around the table, Mrs. Worther began to bless the food. “Lord, thank you for the blessings of this day. Thank you for blessing my home with old friends who are always in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for this food and for the grace you show me each and every day. Words cannot express my gratitude for the gifts bestowed on me today. I am so very grateful, Lord. Please keep my Donahue boys in good health and happiness, and always grant them your favor. Amen.”