The four girls ch0se a stranger as their father—then their m0ther revealed why Mercer wanted their family 10025

He had not expected me to know his name.

I nodded toward the empty chair opposite me.

“You seem to be looking for someone.”

He glanced beneath the table.

Four pairs of shoes were visible.

“I believe Mrs.

Rowan’s daughters are hiding there.”

From across the café, the woman in the charcoal suit had finally spotted us.

Relief flashed across her face, followed almost immediately by embarrassment.

She hurried toward us.