A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Archie! How the hell did I end up with a son like you?!"

Archie barely flinched when the coffee mug smashed against his cheek, raising a nasty welt. He just glanced at Gavin, cool as ice. "Trust me, I wish you hadn't."

"You—!" Gavin's face turned beet red as he glared at his son.

"You're no son of mine!"

"Well, I'm sure as hell not looking for a dad like you," Archie shot back with a mirthless laugh.

He rubbed his stinging cheek and made for the door.

"Hey, bro, where are you going?" Chester called out from the dining room, "Christmas dinner's not even on the table yet! At least stay for the turkey, man!"

"Wait, weren't you into that girl Callie? Since when do you like guys?" Chester's face was a mix of confusion and shameless curiosity. "I mean, can a guy even be called Callie?"

kitchen with a bowl of mashed potatoes, glanced over as well, a hint of intrigue in

Archie's close friend, never quite clear on whether they were just friends or something more. Archie always seemed to care a lot about Calliope, so she'd assumed

Gavin didn't really like Archie all that much, but he was still his son. There

family company, too. Some of the old-timers even said Archie would make a fine successor one

what would happen to her own son, Chester? That's why she'd always pushed for Archie to get married

coming out was a blessing

living room and blocked the

do you think you're going, on Christmas Eve of all nights? Did I say

was

a cold laugh. "You don't understand me? That's

"Step aside, I'm leaving."

care if you like men, women, or your damn dog. Just keep

you're into, you keep it to yourself! You're still going to meet Ms. Yalton like we agreed! I promised the Yalton family,