Page 169 of The Wild Card

This family is insane.

Yet somehow, I want to be part of it forever.

Later, as we’re leaving, Linda pulls me into a hug that lasts approximately three minutes.

“You take care of my girl,” she whispers.

“I will.”

“And come back soon. Don’t be a stranger. You’re always welcome here, Crew. Always.”

“Thank you, Linda.”

She pulls back, eyes suspiciously bright. “Now get out of here before I start crying. Robert, they’re leaving!”

“I can see that, Linda.”

“Well, say goodbye!”

Robert appears and shakes my hand, his grip firm and warm. Gavin does the same, though his comes with a look that says I’m watching you.

And then we’re in the truck, pulling out of the driveway, Linda waving enthusiastically from the porch.

“So,” Emmie says. “That was family dinner.”

“That was family dinner.”

“Still want to be part of this circus?”

I glance at her—at her smile, her messy hair, the way she’s looking at me like I’m exactly where I belong.

“Yeah,” I say. “I really do.”

She reaches over and takes my hand.

“Good. Because I don’t think my mom would let you leave at this point. You’re stuck with us, Jensen.”

“Worse fates.”

“Much worse.”

I pull her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles, and we drive home through the darkening streets, the chaos of the Marshall family fading behind us but never really gone.

Because that’s what family is, I’m learning.

Messy. Loud. Impossible to escape.

And worth every second.

Chapter Forty-One

Release Day

Emmie

The line wraps around the block.

I’m not exaggerating. I can see it through the bookstore window—a snake of people clutching copies of Cooking for Your Person, waiting in the warm October air for me to sign their books.