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Raven
Well, she’ll see that there’s nothing going on, and then we can just have a good time. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and to meeting Lincoln and Maddox.
I’d updated her on all that had happened in the family during the last six years on our road trip from hell.
Although, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was bummed when it came to an end. She’d shared a lot about her life in New York. She loved it there. About how making partner at her law firm was everything she’d worked for since the day she started law school.
Just be ready to be in the hot seat tonight.
Raven
You worry too much, Cowboy. You know I can handle myself.
You always could. I’ll see you soon.
Gracie came out of her bedroom wearing her favorite flower girl dress that Lincoln had bought her, with cowboy boots and a ski jacket. My daughter had her own sense of fashion, and as long as she wore her coat, I’d let it go.
I loaded the animals into my truck. Maxine sat up front in the passenger seat, while Bob sat in the back with Gracie.
When we arrived at my parents’ house, Gracie led Maxine inside, and I had to carry Bob because he’d fallen asleep on the four-minute drive over, and he refused to walk inside.
We were the last to arrive, and Presley was already there. She appeared completely comfortable as she laughed at something Georgia had just said.
I set Bob down on the kitchen floor, and he finally got his second wind and wiggled his way over to my mother, who had a treat waiting for him.
Gracie was introducing Presley to Maxine, and I looked up to see Brinkley watching me with that devious look on her face.
“Good to see you, brother,” she said, and I didn’t miss the smirk.
I gave her a warning look as I made my rounds and gave everyone a hug. I kissed my mom on the cheek, pulling my dad in for a big bear hug before he guided everyone to the table.
Gracie had her hand in Presley’s as they walked to the dining room.
My chest squeezed.
Boundaries.
How do I keep my daughter from falling for this woman when I can’t control myself around her? Gracie had no clue about self-preservation.
My mother could clearly read my mind because her gaze locked with mine, and she gave me that look, the one that told me to relax.
Always the therapist.
We took our usual seats, with Presley taking the chair beside me that my mother had added to the table. Gracie sat on the other side of me but leaned forward to continue telling Presley about Maxine.
“And she really loves Daddy. Maxine thinks she’s his girlfriend.”
“Well, Maxine is easy on the eyes. He could do worse.” Presley smiled, and everyone chuckled.
“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Let’s eat.” I placed some vegetables on Gracie’s plate before piling some on my own and handing the platter to Presley.
“Your daddy gets so uncomfortable when you talk about that kind of stuff, doesn’t he?” Brinkley said with a wicked grin on her face, and I glared at her. She loved to put me on the hot seat.
“Not if we aren’t at work. He doesn’t like to talk about those kinds of things at work. Right, Daddy?” Gracie asked, and I knew exactly where she was going.
“It’s fine. Let’s eat our dinner,” I said, trying to stop the train wreck before it happened. “So, Reese, how is the pregnancy going?” I asked.
Reese chuckled at the shift in conversation and smiled. “I feel just as good as I did yesterday when I saw you. It’s going well.”
