Joy inched her way toward me with wobbly legs. Jonah was right behind her every step of the way, leading his sister straight into my arms. I lifted my daughter up and kissed her chubby, rosy cheeks that still smelled like sugary frosting. She’d taught me that I had an even greater capacity to love than I’d ever thought possible.
Frankie plopped down onto the couch next to us. She looked over at my mother. “Did you notice that Joy has the same twin toes as Jonah?”
“You mean webbed feet? my mother asked.
“Yes. Just the two toes but the same two.” Frankie lifted our daughter’s foot. “Look at the way these two toes look like they’re sewn together. Jonah’s are the exact same way.”
“Just like their grandma,” my mother noted.
“You mean…you?” I asked. “You have twin toes?”
Mom pointed to her feet. “Yes, I have them, too.”
My eyes widened. “How did I never know that?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe I never pointed it out, or you just didn’t care to look at your mother’s feet. It’s genetic, you know. My mother and sister had them, too. Many of the Mackenzies did. It can skip a generation, which is why you were spared, Mack.”
My world seemed to stop in that moment as I processed what she’d just told me.
“You mean to tell me that my kids inherited these twin toes from you? Joy inherited them from you? And Jonah…Jonah…inherited them from you, too? So, it’s a Mackenzie trait, not a Morrison trait. You see what I’m getting at?”
My mother beamed. “I can’t believe we never figured this out before. I never once noticed Jonah’s toes. Otherwise, I would’ve said something.”
Frankie’s expression brightened, and tears began to form in her eyes. She had figured out exactly what I was getting at. If webbed feet were genetic and ran in my mother’s family, then there was a damn good chance Jonah had inherited his from me. Not from my father. From me.
I reached over to him and planted a huge kiss on his face. He was completely taken aback and perplexed. “Dad, what are you doing? Gross!”
“Nothing, son. Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”
But it did. It mattered so much—more than I ever thought it did.
We didn’t need the damn test.
He was my son.
Jonah walked away oblivious as he helped Joy take her wobbly baby steps to the other side of the room.
My wife, who understood the magnitude of this discovery, leapt into my arms and whispered, “Congratulations, Mack Daddy.”
MISTER MONEYBAGS PREVIEW
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Thank you first and foremost to every single reader who continues to support and promote my books. Your enthusiasm and hunger for my stories is what motivates me every day. To all of the book bloggers and authors who support me, I wouldn’t be here without you.
To Vi – Each time I thank you in a book, I am more at a loss for words than the time before, because you become even more important to me as a friend and partner in crime as time moves on. I couldn’t do this without you. I’m so glad we took a “chance” on the writing partnership, but I also know that if all the books went away tomorrow, I would still have an amazing friend, and that, to me, is more valuable than anything.
To Julie – You kicked ass this year and took names. Thank you for your friendship and for always inspiring me with your amazing writing, attitude, and strength.
To Luna –Thank you for your love and support, day in and day out. I so look forward to getting to see you this year. This is the year of Luna, and I can’t wait to celebrate you, Mamacita!
To Erika – We met because of my words. But your words of kindness and encouragement on a daily basis mean more to me than you know. Love and Larry for life.
To my Facebook fan group, Penelope’s Peeps – I love you all. Your excitement motivates me every day.
To Queen Peep Amy – Thank you for serving as the Peeps admin. and for supporting me from the very beginning. More lunches to come!
To Mia – Thank you, my friend, for always making me laugh. I know you’re going to bring us some phenomenal words this year, and I can’t wait for more from Arsen’s momma!
To my publicist, Dani, at InkSlinger P.R. – Thank you for taking some of the weight off my shoulders and for guiding this release. It’s a pleasure working with you.
To Elaine of Allusion Book Formatting and Publishing – Thank you for being the best proofreader and formatter a girl could ask for.
To Letitia of RBA Designs – The best cover designer ever! Thank you for always working with me until the cover is exactly how I want it.
To Lisa of TRSoR and Milasy Mugnolo – Thank you for your unwavering support throughout the years.
To my agent, Kimberly Brower – Here’s to coming full circle. Thank you for believing in me long before you were my agent, back when you were a blogger and I was a first-time author.
To my husband – Thank you for always taking on so much more than you should have to so that I am able to write. I love you so much.
To the best parents in the world – I’m so lucky to have you! Thank you for everything you have ever done for me and for always being there.
To my besties: Allison, Angela, Tarah and Sonia – Thank you for putting up with that friend who suddenly became a nutty writer.
Last but not least, to my daughter and son – Mommy loves you. You are my motivation and inspiration!
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Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of thirteen novels. She is a fifteen-time New York Times Bestseller (hitting at the #2 spot on three separate occasions). Several of her books have been translated into foreign languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
Penelope spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor before switching to a more family-friendly career. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers. She lives for reading books in the new adult genre, coffee, messaging with her buddy and sometimes co-author Vi Keeland as well as hanging out with her friends and family on weekends.
She is the proud mother of a beautiful 12-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 10-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life.
Penelope, her husband, and kids reside in Rhode Island.
Email Penelope at: [email protected]
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