Before I can amend that I’m not actually part of the family yet. Or ever will be.
She hugs me. Tight.
“I’m so happy Chance found you.”
I hug her back but look over her shoulder to meet Chance’s eyes. I’d hate to break their hearts, but I don’t fit in their world. They’d soon realize that and want me gone anyway.
It’s best to end things now before I get any closer to them.
“And one more person.” Baxter pulls me away from Lucy’s hug and gives her the stink eye.
She returns it with equal fervency.
I smile, sure I’m going to love her.
“This is Landon. Our baby brother.”
He’s certainly not a baby. Even sitting, he looks as tall as Chance and Baxter but without a similar build.
He’s on his iPad typing furiously and doesn’t look up until Baxter taps his shoulder.
His gaze shoots up and I’m hit with the intensity of it. Clear blue eyes search my face and then he says, “Nice to have you here, Maddie.”
“Nice to be here…” He goes back to his iPad. “...too.”
What was that? I turn to Baxter for an explanation but he only shrugs with a smile.
He leads me on and deposits me in the empty chair next to Chance.
“Your family is very nice,” I tell Chance.
“Yep.” His eyes follow Baxter as he rounds the table to take the spot opposite us next to Lucy.
Baxter meets his older brother’s eyes and winks.
I can’t help my chuckle. For some reason, Baxter enjoys teasing Chance and Chance always falls for it.
I glance sideways at Chance and before everyone else, he starts to dish his meal, his motions stiff.
He’s slapping on mashed potatoes now. I touch his arm and he turns my way.
With a small smile, I take the spoon from him and do it myself. He lets me.
The slight shake in my hand is definitely not because he’s looking at me.
Once everyone’s plates are full, we dig in. It’s delicious and I tell Aunt Felicia.
She beams. “That’s Sunday dinner for you, my dear. Next Sunday I’m trying out these Mexican dishes that are oh sodelicious. You won’t believe your tongue when you taste them. I’ve never tried the recipes but on my last vacation to Mexico, the yacht chef made them and I have to try them.”
“Hey, mom.” Lucy drops the wineglass she’s sipping from. “Didn’t you try those recipes you got from the Bahamas that one time and it was a disaster?”
Baxter snickers.
Aunt Felicia throws him a stern look, then directs the same at Lucy. “You both have bad taste.” She turns to Chance. “Tell Maddie how good it was.”
“It was good,” Chance says.
Lucy rolls her eyes. “Chance doesn’t want to hurt your feelings, that’s all. Uncle Dan, wasn’t the food awful?”
