Chapter 4

Wade checked his hair in the mirror, then wiped his damp palms down the thighs of his jeans. It came as a shock to realize he was nervous. More nervous than the day he’d first walked into Dixie’s Diner, hoping to gather information about the boys.

Years of board meetings, shareholders meetings, press and media interviews, the occasional congressional testimony—none of those held a candle to going on a picnic with James Donald McCormick’s family.

His feelings for them were growing deep. He felt as if he’d known Pops all his life. Known, truly liked and bore a deep fondness for.

He was attracted to Dixie, and had examined his feelings for her for days. In addition to attraction, there was respect, admiration, and a strong liking, different from what he felt for Pops. This was a man-woman liking.

The boys…he didn’t have to examine his feelings for them. He flat-out loved them. No two ways about it. He didn’t think it mattered whether the feeling came from himself or from the new heart be