Covert Conception. Delores Fossen

mother agreed to marry your father because he was the most suitable DNA candidate,” Macy insisted. “We wanted superior babies through eugenic matching, and that’s exactly what we got. All of you, including Natalie’s brother and sister, are superior in every way.”

      Superior.

      Yes, that was true. All four of them had higher-than-average intelligence. All had been better-than-average athletes. Natalie hadn’t really considered that before, but she considered it now.

      “All right,” Rick said. He aimed his index finger at Macy. Lowered it. And he started to pace. “For argument’s sake, let’s say this project existed. Actually, it’d explain a lot because heaven knows there wasn’t much love in my parents’ marriage. It was the same for you, Macy. I could see that even though I was just a kid. But what does the Cyrene Project have to do with anything that happened to Natalie and me?”

      Macy swallowed hard and lowered her head. “It has everything to do with you. Everything. It’s because of the Cyrene Project that Natalie’s pregnant.”