Finn pushed open the door and they stepped into bedlam.
The rest of the family was already there, along with a big golden retriever–Labrador mix named Fluffy, who did her best to greet everyone by knocking them off their feet and licking them into submission.
“We seem to be the last to arrive,” Nevada told Hannah as the baby looked around and laughed when she saw all the people she loved.
Ethan and his wife, Liz, had their three kids with them. Kent and his son, Reese, were attempting to corral an uncooperative Fluffy, while Montana, Nevada’s other triplet sister, offered advice. Her fiancé, Simon, stood quietly on the sidelines, as he always did. But these days he looked much happier and more relaxed. Tucker was chatting with Denise and—
Nevada stiffened as she visually backtracked. Tucker?
“You’re here!” Denise patted Tucker on the arm and hurried toward the door. “There you are, Hannah. Come to Nana, my darling girl.”
Hannah held out her arms as her grandmother approached, and the child went easily into Denise’s embrace. Nevada stepped back, not so much to get out of the way as to regroup.
“Finn, have you met Tucker?” Denise asked. “He’s an old friend of Ethan’s and now Nevada works for him. His company is the one building the resort and casino outside of town.”
The two men shook hands.
“What is he doing here?” Nevada asked her mother, whispering so the question wouldn’t be overheard.
“He’s alone in town. I thought he would enjoy a family meal.”
“You told Ethan I slept with Tucker so Ethan would beat him up.”
Her mother didn’t look the least bit guilty. “I had to do something. Now he’s been warned and we can move on.”
That was just like her mother, Nevada thought, telling herself she shouldn’t be surprised.
“What are you? A member of the Mafia? Did it occur to you I would find this awkward?” she asked.
“How could you? You work with him.”
Right. Because they didn’t have a personal relationship now—all kissing aside.
“Fine,” Nevada said with a sigh.
“I’m glad you’re all right with this, because I put you next to him at the table.”
Denise took Hannah into the kitchen. Nevada stood there, not sure if she should follow or duck upstairs and hide. Before she could decide, Tucker walked over with a glass of wine and handed it to her.
“I’d forgotten what it was like to be around your family,” he admitted.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Not since that summer Ethan and I went to cycling camp with Josh Golden. We were sixteen.”
That made her all of ten. She hadn’t noticed him back then. He’d just been one of her brother’s boring friends.
“We’re louder now,” she told him.
“And bigger. I can’t get over Ethan’s family.”
She looked at the teenagers, who were laughing about something together. “I like that they stay in the room with us instead of disappearing into the family room to play with the Wii Mom bought them.”
“Both Montana and Dakota are engaged.”
“Uh-huh. Simon’s a surgeon and Finn is a pilot. Cargo and private tours. That kind of thing. He’s from Alaska.”
“We did a job there.”
“Is there anywhere you haven’t done a job?”
“Not really.” He glanced around the room. “I never had anything like this to come home to. My mom died when I was a baby. Dad hired a nanny and took both of us with him.”
“I can’t imagine living without my family. They’re everything to me.”
Tucker rubbed his jaw. “Your brother sure looks out for you.”
“You deserved it.”
He surprised her by laughing. “You’re right. I did. Have I apologized?”
“Yes, and you don’t have to again.”
Ethan walked over and joined them. “Everything all right here?”
“Stop fighting my battles,” she told him. “I can do it myself.”
“Sometimes a guy has to step in and take care of his own. Tucker gets that.”
Tucker nodded.
Ethan asked if Tucker planned to watch the pre-season football games this Sunday. While the guys talked football, Nevada thought about where Tucker might usually spend the afternoon. He’d always been on his own—odd man out. He wasn’t just dealing with a new school every couple of years, but a new country and a new culture, not to mention language barriers. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like not to have roots.
“Be careful,” Ethan was saying. “There are a million single women in town.”
“You’re exaggerating.” Tucker sipped his wine. “I’m not worried.”
Nevada grinned. “You should be. Until recently, we’ve had a man shortage. The ladies will be all over you. A strong, rich, construction guy.” She blinked her eyes several times.
Tucker laughed. “I can handle myself.”
Nevada turned to her brother. “Just think. In a couple of weeks, you’ll get to say, ‘I told you so.’”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Ethan laughed.