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Everyone turned to Tobias.

“What? I don’t even have a girlfriend right now.”

Escape was the only answer. He took his cake plate and hurried out to the porch.

His father was still in the rocker. He looked up at Tobias and motioned to the other chair. “So, you’re not getting married.”

“Nope.”

“Can’t say I’m too sorry,” his father admitted. “Though it would have been good to have a chance at a grandson to carry on the family name.”

What was it with his parents suddenly caring about grandchildren? “Dad, Clara has a bunch of kids.”

“None of them have the last name.”

“We can talk one of her brood into it when they get older.” Tobias laughed. “Hell, she and Tom probably won’t notice.”

His father chuckled. “That’s true.”

“Here comes trouble,” Tobias said with a chuckle. Sure enough, a car pulled up and both Leah and Allison climbed out.

Leah approached first. “Mama Hamilton called.” She lifted a bag of groceries from the back seat.

“We’re here to cook, eat and drink,” Allison added, lifting two wine bottles. They continued up the stairs and Tobias held the door for them to go inside.

“Nice to have family around, isn’t it?” his father asked.

“It is.” Tobias looked toward town. It would’ve been nicer if Tori were there. A truck appeared in the distance and just behind it another.

“Eric and Ernest are coming,” he mumbled. “I better get Luke ready so he and Ernest don’t bash each other’s heads into a wall.”

His father shook his head. “They’ll behave around your mother.”

It was likeThanksgiving. Tobias’ plate was piled high with delicious food. Taylor and Eric talked shop, Luke and Ernest exchanged barbs and, all the while, Henry played referee. The women chatted about wedding stuff. Allison seemed to be warming to the idea of a wedding.

Thankfully, the discussion kept his mother too busy to question him about relationships.

Tori had promised to meet him again later that week and he wondered what would happen. If he were to be honest, he knew her reply would be that they be friends and move on. That it was too late for any kind of romantic involvement between them.

It would hurt but, eventually, hopefully, over time, the idea of them reuniting would fade.

And he was a three-ton gorilla.

If twenty years hadn’t faded how he felt, then another twenty wouldn’t help much either. He’d be single for the rest of his life and if Tori wasn’t in the picture then he’d just have to accept it.

“Hello?” Allison waved a hand in front of his face. “Where are you at?”

He shrugged. “Just enjoying the company. That’s all.”

“I invited her, but she didn’t feel comfortable because it’s a family gathering.” Allison lifted her wine glass. “I wish you two would work it out and admit how you feel.”

“Ball’s in her court,” he replied in a low voice.

Allison gasped and everyone turned to her. She waved them away.

“It will be funny if all of you show up at the courthouse when Taylor and I get married next month.”

“I plan to be there,” his mother immediately said. “My Taylor is not getting married without cake.”

“You can have a small reception,” Mindy added.

Leah held up a hand. “Why don’t you two exchange vows at Luke’s and my place? We can have the judge come out and it will be simple. Family only.”

Taylor’s eyes rounded and met Allison’s. “That sounds like a wedding.”

“I think I can work with that. It sounds lovely, Leah, thank you,” Allison said and the women began a new lively chatter.

Luke met his gaze from across the table, the solemn message loud and clear. His brother would always be there for him.

And that would have to be enough for Tobias if Tori didn’t want to be part of his life.