“Just give my sister a hand and manage her children’s daily meals as well as their to and fro school run. You’re cooking regardless if they’re eating here anyway, so cooking for two more kids won’t make much of a difference. They’re still children, so they don’t eat that much either.

“Think of it as doing me a favor. We’ve been married for so many years. You’re willing to help me, right?”

Hank’s voice was gentle, and he looked at Liberty when he spoke. He even tried to appeal to her emotions.