Luke took Amelia around to the back door because only strangers used the front. He hoped just his mom would be there. He wasn’t that lucky. The entire family was gathered around the table, eating chocolate chips cookies as his mom pulled them out of the oven.
Dani fed pieces of cookie to Mark. She gave Luke a distracted grin. “Introducing a new food group to him.” She handed him another piece, cooing, “It’s the perfect food, isn’t it? Oh, yes, it is.”
“Pizza is the perfect food,” Phoebe said, “though these cookies are a close tie.”
“Can’t feed a baby pizza, can we?” Dani cooed.
“Really?” Jake arched his brows. “What was that stuff Mark was gnawing on when I stopped in last week?”
Dani looked a bit sheepish. “It was just the crust.”
“Hey, at least she hasn’t started him on Diet Dr. Pepper,” Matt said.
Dani gave him a mock, shocked look. “He wouldn’t sleep. Can’t have that when everything I do is to get you to sleep, huh, baby.”
Mark grabbed her face and gurgled, his grubby hands leaving chocolate hand prints on each side of her face.
Jake tipped his head to one side, giving her a critical look. “I think you look on the outside, what you are on the inside, Dani.”
Dani stuck her tongue out at him. Mark did, too.
Luke hesitated, his body still blocking Amelia from his family’s sight. They could still get away—
Phoebe, in her usual sexy, recline, paused in her cookie consumption long enough to ask, “Who’s your friend, Luke?”
That brought all activity to a standstill and all eyes, except Mark’s, their way.
His mom straightened, her gaze finding Luke across the kitchen, her brows arched. “Luke?”
Amelia stepped around him and smiled at everyone. “Hi. I’m Amelia.”
His mom, her lips twitching, wiped her hands on the apron tied around her waist and then stepped forward, her hand out in a welcome. “I’m pleased to meet you. My son has told me so little about you.”
Amelia leaned closer, and said in a loud whisper, “You know, that doesn’t surprise me. He’s very sweet, but a touch taciturn.”
Taciturn? What did that mean?
Dani appeared at this side and whispered, “Means you don’t talk enough about what really matters.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Matt said. He lifted his son from her arms and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Well, it should,” Dani said. She smiled at Amelia. “I’m Dani.”
I read your books,” Amelia said. “They’re great.”
Dani smiled at Luke. “I like her.”
He introduced Jake and Phoebe. Phoebe gave her a languid smile of greeting.
“She’s cute, but she doesn’t look like she can kick my ass, let alone what’s his name?”
“Ray,” Jake said.
“Ray. How big was he?” Phoebe finished
“Big,” said Matt.
“Very big,” said Jake at the same time.
They both measured a spot well above their heads.
Phoebe looked thoughtful. “Maybe she can kick my ass.”
“Do you mind—” Luke started.
“I don’t mind,” Amelia said, a smile of delight transforming her face. His family stared at her, then, one by one, returned her smile, all of them looking slightly bemused.
“You’re a fool if you let her get away, Luke,” Dani said.
“If she can take Ray—” Phoebe agreed, her eyes dancing with laughter.
“You’ll never have to worry about drunks and bores when you’re out on the town,” Matt said, with a shit-eating grin.
Luke looked at Amelia. Her eyes asked if he was going to tell them? Luke grinned.
“I don’t know. Might be dangerous to marry a woman who can take you,” Luke said. But his smile and the look in his eyes gave him away.
“I think it’s already a done deal,” Debra said, coming forward to hug Amelia.
“Signed, sealed and committed,” Amelia said. “When you’re my age, you can’t afford to beat around the bush. You know what they say about girls in their thirties, marriage and terrorists.”
“It’s not true,” Dani said, giving her a hug, too.
“No,” Amelia said with a sigh, “but it feels like it's true.” Amelia gave him an impish look and he smiled back.
For a minute he missed Rosemary. She’d have liked Amelia. He gave himself a little shake. If she’d been here, there’d have been no Amelia. Still, he had a feeling she approved. His brothers both gave him a discreet thumbs up. It was going to be all right. Amelia came to him, nestling into his side. No, it was going to be great. Maybe even one of Dani’s freaking happy endings.
I hope you enjoyed my Lonesome Lawmen. If you’re not quite done, look for my short story, Lonesome Mama at online book sellers. For more information on all my other books, check out my website at www.paulinebjones.com