“You’re gonna wear a hole in that carpet,” Mrs. Gallagher commented as she set up bottles of liquor on a wheeled serving cart. “What are you so nervous about? Is it about meeting Lucy Hart’s family?”
“I’m not very good at meeting people, Mrs. Gallagher.”
“You have nothing to worry about, lass. You’ll likeTiaEvie. She’s a lovely woman. Her husband, Jake, is a fine man, too. He was a mail order husband, you know.”
“A mail order husband? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
The woman laughed. “None of us had either, but Lucy had this crazy idea and well, it all worked out. Never saw a couple so in love with each other.” Mrs. Gallagher finished arranging bottles on the serving cart, then started lining up the new crystalglasses. “All the people on Montaña del Trueno are good people. Don’t be so nervous. It’ll be fine.”
Encouraged, Sheridan continued to pace in front of the window, but willed herself to relax. It wasn’t working. She’d never been good at meeting people or making friends, but that seemed to be changing, a change she welcomed.
She spotted a buggy pulling up in front of the house and recognized Lucy, sitting beside a very handsome man. She was laughing. So was he.
“They’re here.” Sheridan wrapped the scarf around her head, making sure it was loose enough that it didn’t ruin her hair, which she’d spent a long time on, then slipped into the cape, and buttoned it almost to the top. She pulled on her gloves and reached for the door.
She heard Mrs. Gallagher tell her to have a good time before the door closed behind her.
“Sorry we’re late.” Lucy looked at her, then glanced at her husband. “Ben had an unexpected appointment.”
“Now, Lucy, you know I never turn away a person in need, no matter who that person might be, or what their need is.” He laughed as he stepped down from the large buggy that could hold four or more people comfortably and offered Sheridan his hand. “What would that do for my reputation as the best doctor in the county?”
“I’m not sure you’ve met my husband, Sheridan. This is Ben. Ben, Sheridan.”
“How very nice to meet you.”
“A pleasure.” He laughed again as he assisted her into her seat behind Lucy. “Even without an introduction, I would have known you anywhere. You look very much like your mother. She was a fine woman.” He unfolded a blanket, one of two, that was on the back seat of the buggy and spread it out over her legs. “It’s going to get cold back here.”
“Thank you.”
He seemed like a nice man. The perfect match for Lucy. It brought a slight smile to Sheridan’s lips as the good doctor made sure a blanket was tucked around Lucy before he took his seat. There was a look that passed between them, a look so filled with love, that it made Sheridan’s heart swell with happiness for them.
“Is everyone ready?” Ben asked before he flicked the reins and started the horses moving.
It wasn’t long before Lucy turned slightly in her seat to look at her. “So, let me tell you about my family. We’re a raucous bunch, especially when we all get together.” She laughed. “I hope you like children. We have a whole passel of ‘em.”
It was at that moment that Sheridan again doubted the wisdom of meeting Lucy’s family. She could have stayed home, despite the fact that it was Saturday night. She could have stayed in her room, her ears plugged with cotton so she wouldn’t hear the noises coming from the ladies and their guests.
“I have three brothers. Teddy, Esteban, and Heath,” Lucy continued as the horses’ hooves trotted over the hard-packed road leading out of town. “Teddy is married to Esmeralda. They have three children—Savannah, Miguel, and Ramon. Savannah is just as lovely as she can be. Time permitting, she comes to visit me quite a bit. She wants to be a doctor, just like her Uncle Ben.” Lucy reached out to touch his face, despite the fact he was driving. “This week. Last week, she wanted to be a lawyer, like Uncle Charley was. The week before that, she wanted to be teacher. No matter what she wants to be when she grows up, she’ll be that. Savannah has a bit of a stubborn streak, but that’s all right. The family will make sure she can have her dream.
“Esteban is married to Catalina. They have two children. You’ll love Toughie.” She laughed but didn’t pause. “His real name is Tomas, but no one has ever called him that. He’s thecutest little boy. And fast. Never saw a boy run so fast. Their youngest son is Ricardo, but everyone just calls him Rico. He’s a little darling. They both keep Esteban and Catalina on their toes.
“Heath is married to Jenny. She’s very sweet. You’ll like her a lot. She used to teach in town before she met my brother. They have a daughter. They named her Everleigh Jane, after Tia Evie, but everyone just calls her EJ.”
The more Lucy spoke, the more nervous Sheridan became. How in the world would she be able to remember all these names and who they were?
And Lucy didn’t stop talking about her family. Indeed, it seemed like she hardly took a breath. Her features were animated as was her body language—one hand in constant motion while she talked, the other rested on the back of the seat to help her keep her position.
“Lucy, I think you’re frightening Sheridan.” Ben took a hand from the reins and gently clasped her hand, the one that was in constant motion. “Not everyone has a loving, boisterous, big family like yours. God knows, I didn’t. My father raised me on his own and it was overwhelming at times to be part of the Silva family. Don’t get me wrong, my love, I adore everyone, but sometimes, they can be a bit intimidating.”
“I know, but I always say forewarned is forearmed.” She frowned in response to his tender warning then turned her head and locked gazes with Sheridan. “I’m not scaring you, am I?”
“Not at all,” Sheridan lied. The truth was her heart was racing much too fast, and despite the cold, she was perspiring. Her palms, inside her gloves, were damp. And her belly? Knotted.
Lucy finally faced forward. “TiaEvie raised us, my brothers and me, from the time I was a year old. I don’t remember my mother or my father, butTiamade sure I knew how wonderful they were. I love her to pieces and then a little more.”
At least Tia Evie had told Lucy about her mother. Sheridan hadn’t had the same. Not really. The only things she’d been told about Josie were disparaging. And untrue. What was plain as day was the love Lucy had, not only forTiaEvie, but the rest of her family. And it made knowing how she had been raised seem sad and disheartening in comparison.
“Is it true thatTiaEvie’s husband was a mail order husband?” She laughed softly. “And that you set the wheels in motion?”
