Her Secret Sons by Tina Leonard

“though I certainly always felt that I was doing the right thing. Even now, I would say I did the best thing for everyone.”
    “Not me,” Zach said. “I would have liked to get to know my nephews sooner. I’m having to play a lot of catch-up.”
    Pepper told herself she wouldn’t cry, not one tear. Her brothers had the right to feel this way—she couldn’t blame them for that. “Multiply how you’re feeling by a thousand,” she said, “and that’s how Luke’s going to feel when…he learns what I did.”
    “Well,” Duke said, “he’s going to be madder than a hornet, but he hasn’t exactly been a pillar of the community. He’s made plenty of his own mistakes.”
    “I made this mistake,” Pepper said bravely. “It doesn’t matter what he’s done in his life. It matters what I do in mine.”
    Zach scratched his head. “We can help you tell him, if you’re thinking it’s time.”
    She bit her lips, pondering her brother’s efforts. “I can’t wait long,” she said. “I was out there tonight, and his father doesn’t seem very well to me, though he refused to let me even listen to his chest. I had my blood pressure cuff in the van but I didn’t dare take that in.” She thought long and hard about what needed to be said. Her conscience was tearing her apart. “It came to me that I’ve also stolen from Mr. McGarrett,” she said softly, “and the worst part of it is, I think he should spend his time left on earth getting to know his grandchildren, if he wishes to.”
    “Oh, boy,” Duke said. “You really are ladling the guilt on yourself.”
    “Luke kissed me tonight,” she said suddenly. She hadn’t meant to confess that, but her emotions were so confused that she had lost her way.
    “Why?” Duke asked.
    “I don’t know,” Pepper said truthfully, “but that’s when I knew he had to be told soon.”
    Zach was still staring at her. “No wonder you came in upset. Stay away from him until you’re ready to tell him, Pepper. I can’t see any way forthere to be anything between the two of you. I mean, the whole situation is all screwed up.”
    Duke nodded in agreement. “He’s definitely going to feel cheated…and mad. I agree with Zach. Lie low until you’re ready. If you need us, we’ll go with you for support. Don’t underestimate how difficult this is going to be.”
    Toby and Josh came into the room, carrying milk and brownies and napkins, which they proceeded to serve to their elders.
    “You can’t miss out on these,” Toby said. “These are the best brownies ever.”
    Duke nodded, his gaze staying on Pepper. “It won’t change things, but at least they are super-good brownies.”
    Pepper ate hers without comment. They were very good, but strangely—and unfortunately—Luke’s kiss had been sweeter.
     
    A FTER THEIR SISTER LEFT , Zach stared at Duke with a frown. “We may have started a bad thing here.”
    “By dragging McGarrett back? I don’t care.” Duke picked at some brownie crumbs on the table and shook his head. “So what? I don’t mind having that on my conscience.” He didn’t, either. Pepper had so stunned him by not telling him that he was an uncle, he could only imagine how Luke was going to feel when her secret came to light.
    “I’m surprised he made a move on her,” Zach confessed. “I was struck by instant desire to go kick his ass, but I told myself we’d meddled enough.”
    “No ass-kicking,” Duke said, “because then he’d owe us one for not making Pepper tell him.”
    Zach nodded. “But we stay out of her business from now on.”
    “True. Too many good intentions pave the road to hell.” Duke felt like he was waiting on a sore to heal—and he didn’t think Pepper would find the healing she craved until she cleared her conscience with Luke.
    “Are you mad at her?”
    Duke raised a brow. “Aren’t you? I mean, you’ve spent time with those kids. They’re awesome.”
    “Yeah. They are.” Zach smiled.
    “But I