Something cracked in the silence, making everyone turn their heads away from her. Natalie’s cousin, Jill, darted over to pick up the rattle her daughter, Mia, had tossed onto the hardwood floor. Hitching the baby up on her hip, she patted her on the back.
Natalie cleared her throat and stood there awkwardly. The whole room was back to staring at her. “That’s…ah…all.”
Hell. That had felt worse than reciting the Declaration of Independence in a school talent competition in the third grade.
“Okay, people,” Jill called out. “Natalie’s said her piece. Let’s get back to the feast.”
The relief made her sway a little. Jill wove through the crowd and pulled her into a hug with the drooling Mia.
“Thanks, Jill,” she whispered.
“Hey! It’s okay. I remember how weird it felt when Brian came back from the Big Apple. And we didn’t even have a marriage behind us. If you need anything, I’ve got you.”
“You’re a life saver,” she said. Jill was quickly becoming her favorite family member. Why couldn’t everyone else be this supportive, this understanding?
“Can I be a green one?” her cousin quipped.
Though Natalie rolled her eyes, she couldn’t hold back a smile. Mia grabbed a hunk of her hair and shoved it in her mouth, which only made her smile grow broader. The baby was super sweet—all chubby cheeks and sparkling eyes. “Can I hold her?” she asked. If she was holding a baby, no one could talk serious to her, right?
“Sure,” Jill said immediately, transferring her into Natalie’s arms. “Brian has her twin in the kitchen. He and Terrance were running Jane through another blind wine tasting. I swear, that girl needs to be on a wine game show or something. She could win millions.”
Of course, Natalie’s future sister-in-law already had millions, and her ability to discern the winemaker and year of a French vintage by simply drinking a sip was a hobby. Or a skill. Natalie still wasn’t sure which.
“Hey, Sis,” Matt said as Jill wandered off. He kissed her cheek and squeezed her arm. “Ah…Andy and I went to see Blake.”
“Blake told me. Let’s not talk about it now.” Or ever. She’d rather talk about the new bumper sticker she’d slapped on his car, directly over the last one, in their ongoing Bumper Sticker War. This one said: I Pick My Nose, and I Like It. It seemed suitably unprofessional for the next mayor of Dare Valley.
He nodded. “I can respect that.” And then, with a smile, “I’m going to go have a good pick.”
Jane stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, baby and all. “We missed you at the lunch, but I totally understand why you weren’t there. What a shock it must have been to have Blake move in next door.”
“Blake always was full of surprises.”
“Well, if you need to talk to anyone, you can count on me.”
“Thanks, Jane.” Her future sister-in-law was a peach.
Danny finally ran over to her, and she awkwardly leaned down to hug him with her left arm, keeping Mia snuggled in her right. “Hey, kiddo.”
“Is Uncle Blake really back?” he asked with wide eyes. “And Touchdown too?”
By rights, five-year-old Danny shouldn’t even remember Blake, but his love for that sweet dog, along with the fact that Blake had been the quarterback of his favorite team, had stuck with him. Danny was a huge football fan, following in her family’s footsteps.
“It’s Mr. Cunningham now, Danny,” she said gently. “He’s not your uncle anymore.”
His mouth scrunched up like he was trying to remember why that was. “Oh, that’s right. Because you don’t live with him anymore.”
Simple logic, thanks to Andy. “Right.”
“Okay. Can you put Mia down so I can play with her? She likes my trucks.”
Her human shield gurgled as Danny tickled the exposed section of her tummy. How was she supposed to refuse such a request? She set Mia down, and the little girl immediately crawled to Danny.
“She’s trying to stand,” Danny said, putting his little arms around her to support her as she grabbed his legs.
Mia stood, sure enough, clutching Danny’s shirt, and wove in place in her pink ballerina slippers. Her grin was contagious.
“Hang onto her tight, Danny,” Andy said from behind her. “Little kids sometimes let go because they’re still learning.”
“I’ve got her, Dad,” Danny said, his arms gripping her now like he was holding a human hot potato.
“Hey, Sis,” Andy said in an easy tone, hugging her and kissing her on top of her head. “You’ve had quite a day.”
She could tell he wanted her to give Blake another chance, so she hadn’t known what to expect from him. His relaxed demeanor was enough to tumble at least one of her walls. “Yes,” she only replied.
“Come on, let’s grab you a drink, which you could probably use. Then we’ll make the rest of the rounds so you can eat.”