He said it gently to avoid upsetting Nicole.

Nicole responded, "Daddy, Joshua is supposed to be here. I asked Mommy, and Mommy agreed to have him painted here."

Did Gale also agree? Shawn's gaze turned to Gale.

"Yes. Shawn, I want to talk..." Gale replied.

"Both of you are being too fond of Joshua. But I believe this is a matter of principle. A family of three should remain a family of three, with no additional outsiders."

Gale was continually interrupted by him.

She could not finish her sentence! She had assumed that Shawn had figured something out from the painting by now, given how obvious it was. A family of four, with Mom and Dad and two children! However, it turned out that Shawn simply thought that she and Nicole really liked Joshua, which was why they included him in the painting. Who would add a stranger to a family portrait for no reason, even if they really liked him? What happened to Shawn's intelligence and sharp wit? Where had they gone?

Gale rested her forehead an