Page 230 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

“Abbie,” he reminded. “She’s also having a baby boy in the fall.”

Ellie nodded, figuring that detail wouldn’t be hard to remember since the blonde-haired beauty looked close to full-term already.

Taja, Wes, and Rosie were the first to welcome them just outside Nash’s truck.

“So this is yourplus one,” Wes said, sticking out his hand to greet her. “I’m Wes, and this is my beautiful wife, Taja, and our daughter, Rosie.”

Ellie greeted the group in turn. “I’m Ellie. Nice to meet you guys.” She hunched down when she came to Rosie. “Andyou’rethe birthday girl who knows a lot about animals.”

“I do!” the little girl assured with an exaggerated nod. “Nash told you?”

“He sure did. And he also spent a very long time at the toy store trying to find the perfect gift for you.” Not that Ellie had gone with him, but he’d told her all about it, and it made Ellie’s heart melt.

Rosie did a fist pump. “I can’t wait!”

Thatcher and Abbie joined the small group. “Who do we have here?” Abbie said, her grin nearly as wide as Rosie’s. “Oh my gosh, you’re Ellie Blaire. Iloveyou!” She reached out and threw her arms around Ellie.

“Thanks,” Ellie said through a delighted laugh.

“Okay, well, now that Abbie’s already broken the silence about it,” Taja said, bumping Abbie’s hip, “I’m a really big fan too. You’re one of my favorites.”

“Aww, thanks, ladies, that means a lot. And to be honest, I’ve been hearing so much about you guys that the feeling is mutual.”

As they filtered into the house, the conversation continued. Rosie, who skipped merrily beside Nash, prodded him with questions about her gift. She’d find out soon enough that Nash had finally settled on a modeling clay kit with instruction cards to make twelve different animals.

Inside, Ellie was greeted by Nash’s Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Jackie, who made her feel right at home. She'd forgotten that Nash mentioned having two dogs as well; the pair, Bonnie and Clyde, chased one another in the grassy corner of the backyard while the group gathered around large tables with mismatched chairs.

Birthday decorations hung from light strands and banisters, including a birthday banner with Rosie's name. The mascot forthe day, it seemed, was a funny little creature with a long pink body, short stubby legs, and a bunch of weird pokey things around its head.

"It's an axolotl," Rosie said, coming up behind her. "It's pretty much my favorite animal right now."

"An axolotl?” Ellie repeated, pretty sure she’d pronounced it wrong. “Are they real or pretend?"

"Itlookspretend," Rosie said. “That's why I like it so much. Last year, I got really into jumping spiders. Did you know they have eight bulgy eyeballs?"

"No, and I can't believe this little creature is real. I hope I can see one in real life one day."

"Me too. I have a library book so you can see some pictures," Rosie said. "And you’ll learn more about them tonight because we’re doing animal fun facts before presents."

"I’ll be looking forward to that,” Ellie assured her, completely charmed by the sweet, intelligent girl.

“I’m looking forward to it too,” came a deep voice from behind.

Ellie spun on one foot to see another new face.

Dressed in black from hat to boot, he propped a toothpick in the corner of his lips and reached out to shake her hand. “Howdy, honey,” the man said. “I’m Rem.”

“Hi, Rem,” she said while shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” He pinched the brim of his hat the way Nash often did. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Rem surprised her by hunching low and slapping his knees. “Where’s that birthday girl?”

Ellie glanced around to see that Rosie had, in fact, crawled behind the patio furniture in a game of hide-and-seek. She giggled from her hiding spot, and Ellie felt the girl’s delight clear to her toes.

She looked back to Rem. “I have no idea where she went.”

Grandma C was the last of the group to shuffle in shortly after Belle, Cash, and their baby, Jane, hit the scene. While Belle admitted to being a big fan like Abby and Taja—saying she even had her own Bubblegum Batters nickname, thanks to Come Out Swinging—Grandma C outdid them all in exuberance, mainly related to Ellie’s relationship with Nash. The woman pulled Ellie tight against her chest in a squishy hug and said she had a feeling that she and Nash would really hit it off.

"Trust me," the jovial old woman said, "Nash is one of the good ones. And this here family…well, people get memberships for things all over the world—country clubs, secret societies, and whatnot—but being part of the Copeland Crew is free, and dear, there ain’t no better club to belong to."