“She knows, Mom.” Jake bumped her shoulder, mimicking Casey’s exasperated voice. “Trust me, she will be an upstanding citizen compared to this crowd. My brother Andrew, for one, never met a cake he didn’t swipe his fingers through.”
At the thought of the crowd that would be there, Paige glanced down at her sandals. The bottoms were worn and the left strap was hanging by a thread. She pulled at her skirt. It was loose and flowing, but it did fall several inches above her knees. Her shirt was plain white, a dressy T-shirt style. She hadn’t thought to ask what to wear. Too late now.
The family she’d met so far had been nothing but kind and welcoming, but her stomach still hurt a little. Jake had grown up very differently than she had. Two parents and loads of siblings. Several had served in the military, a couple were doctors. She was what some would refer to as trailer trash. Left by a father who’d never paid child support and raised by a mother who’d never seen the benefits of getting a job. Add to that, she’d had a baby barely out of high school. Definitely not stellar-citizen stock.
Jake steadied Casey with one hand and slipped his other arm around Paige’s shoulders, pulling her into his side. “Relax,” he said and placed a quick kiss on the top of her head.
When they topped the small hill and got their first look at Hannah’s house, her nerves that had settled for a moment kicked up again. It reminded her of a ski lodge, not hotel big, but it had all the style. Heavy furniture with deep red cushions sat in groupings along the wraparound porch. The entire structure was wood and large gray stone with columns shaped like the Washington Monument from the roof to the wide steps leading up to the front door. They could already hear the noise of a happy crowd bursting out from inside as they passed a row of parked cars.
Jake lowered Casey onto her feet and, holding both of their hands, led them up the steps and in. “Here we go.”
The kitchen was large, open and airy, and crowded with people.
“See? What’d I tell you?” Jake said to her, then slapped the back of a man who was also getting his hand slapped away from a plate of deviled eggs. “My brother, Andrew. Andrew, Paige. And Casey.”
Casey raised her arms for Jake to pick her up and he did, bringing her eye level with the grown-ups. Her daughter wasn’t shy by any means, but this was a lot of people, and Casey kept one arm tight around Jake’s neck throughout the many introductions. She wasn’t shy, either, but she was glad for his warm hand at her back. It was comforting and at the same time possessive.
“And more brothers: Tony, Patrick, and Matt.”
All three men were tall and dark and handsome, similar to Jake. She felt the slightest hesitation on Jake’s part, but each of the men clasped his hand and pulled him in for a one-arm man hug.
“Where’s my baby brother?” A small woman with dark hair and eyes hugged him enthusiastically and kissed his cheek. She smiled at Casey. “I used to carry him around like a doll. Can you believe that?”
Casey shook her head, her eyes wide with surprise.
Jake’s sister laughed and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m JT’s one and only sister, Lizzie.”
She’d just let go of Lizzie’s hand when Matt caught his arm around a stunning woman. Her sleek, dark hair fell well past her shoulders and she had the most brilliant green eyes Paige had ever seen.
“My wife, Abby.”
“Hi,” Abby said warmly, giving Paige an unexpected hug. “I’m so glad you came. And who’s this?”
“This is Casey,” Jake said.
“Hi,” Abby greeted her and asked about her trip on the airplane and her horseback ride.
More women she assumed were sisters-in-law greeted Jake, but after each hug his hand came back to her. They moved from the crowded kitchen toward a large, open room with an enormous stone fireplace and a large comfy-looking sectional. Giant exposed beams stretched across the ceiling. It was done mostly in red and brown with splashes of gold in the pillows and decorations. By far the most beautiful home she’d ever been in.
“Mom.”
A short woman with dark hair intercepted them halfway into the room. “Jacob.” She reached for his face and pressed a long kiss to his cheek, then looked at him with emotion-filled eyes. A mother’s love.
A man with thick gray hair and a baby in his arms joined them. “Hi. You must be Paige,” he said. “I’d shake your hand but my arms are full.”
“Your father is a baby hog,” his mom said, smiling at her. “I’m Marge.” She took Paige’s hand between her own. “This is my husband, Joe. And who’s this?”
“This is my daughter, Casey. It’s nice to meet you both.”
“You too. This is Lily,” Marge said, adjusting the elastic sleeve around the infant’s tiny arm. “Andrew’s newest.”
“Uncle J!” A boy and girl ran over, same height, both with light brown hair and striking hazel eyes.
“Hey, Cole Man. Hi, Caroline. These are Matt and Abby’s twins,” he told Paige as he knelt with Casey.