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“Hey what about Brooklyn?” Trudy says, walking back into the room in a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt as she sits down at the other end of the table, grabbing a plate. “There aren’t any virgins left in Stoney Creek, thanks to him.”
I sputter on my wine as laughter erupts around the table, all except Gray’s Mom and Patti. They frown at the same time.
“Trudy, that’s enough language out of you,” Patti says, patting her mouth with the napkin. “I’m sorry I brought the subject up.”
“Don’t be sorry, Aunt Patti.” Brooklyn steals a potato off his sister’s plate as she tries to stab his hand with her fork. “I like to wine ‘em and dine ‘em before I drive ‘em.”
“Oh my god.” Georgia shakes her head. “I think I just threw up in my mouth.”
“He didn’t.” Trudy slaps her forehead.
“I’m sorry, Patti,” Gayle says and then glances at me. “You too, Hartley. It seems my children can’t go anywhere.”
Jim gives him a warning look, too, but Brooklyn just laughs.
“What’s drive ‘em?” Trinity repeats, looking up from her coloring.
Gabe looks at her quickly not seeming impressed, and more chuckles ensue from the brothers.
“See what you did?” Patti says to her daughter. “You started it.”
“No you started it, Aunt Patti, asking about Hudson’s marital status.” Georgia reminds her. “Not that any of us need a reminder about his conquests.”
“Long as you’re still as pure as the driven snow, Blue belle, that’s all that matters,” Hudson replies, pointing at her with his fork.
Beau snorts, and Georgia gives him a shove in the ribs.
“Do you all mind not giving my daughter catch phrases I don’t want her repeating?” Gabe adds through gritted teeth.
“Yes, can we please get off this subject?” Mr. Bassett sighs. “You’re all giving me a headache.”
“I’m sorry,” I hear Gray whisper. “Can’t take them anywhere.”
I laugh, reaching for my wine. “It’s fine, really. When I’m at home with my brother, we fight like cats and dogs.”
He leans one arm around the back of my chair and I feel Gabe watching us in my periphery. I purposely don’t meet his gaze.
We manage to get through dinner without anyone murdering each other, and I’ve barely got enough room for the blueberry cobbler Patti produces from the oven, served with home-made ice cream.
“I think I’ll have to go on a new diet if I keep eating like this,” I whisper to Gray as he chuckles.
Later, when I help clear the table, I run into Gabe in the kitchen.
“My brother’s quite taken with you,” he says, a smirk on his face. “Never seen him smile so much in my damn life. He’s not usually the life of the party.”
“He’s around his family. I know how close you all are,” I reply, not taking the bait.
“Funny, he never had Jim around for a family dinner.”
I think he knows about us. Call it a hunch. “Actually, Patti invited me the other day at the Stone’s Throw. It seemed rude to turn down a perfectly good dinner, plus I wanted to meet the rest of the family.”
His lips twitch. “Really?”
“Yes,” I say innocently. “I’m new in town, and I don’t really know anyone around here.”
“But you know my brother really well, don’t you?”
I turn to look at him. “What is that supposed to mean?”
