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“What doesBilly Brenton here?” she asked, playfully punching Zeke in the shoulder

An aard silence ensued as she noticed Sam for the first time “Who’s this?” she asked politely Allie had been seven at the ti impression of their father in her mind

Sa an old family “friend” Allie looked confused, but she see it

This wasn’t how Zeke had pictured this He’d wanted to sit his sister down To explain everything to her in a calical way But that was impossible now If he let Sam pretend he was soive him

“You can cut the crap,” Zeke said to Sam

Allie’s eyes widened Tom snapped his head around to look at hi his hand He held onto it like a drowningto a life saver

“Allie, this is Sauy as “Dad” He didn’t deserve it

“Sam…” Allie shook her head, confused “But…that’s Dad’s name”

Toht Zeke’s eyes, then put his aro somewhere where it’s quiet”

“I don’t understand,” Allie said to Zeke “Is this…is this our father?” She turned to Sam “Are you…”

“Hello, Allison,” Saood act Zeke would give him credit for that

“What are you doing here? How on earth… Ohherself into the bastard’s aran to stop, like they atching one of those bad daytime talk show reunions

Zeke had never wanted to hit someone er all ca back How could Allie stand to touch him? It was like the past twenty-four years had never happened

“I’ator”

“Don’t call her that,” Zeke warned It was the pet name Sam had affectionately used when she was a child But Allie wasn’t a kid anye to call her that a long tio