“It is.” Lucy actually giggled as she turned in her seat one more time. “In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have put an advertisement in several newspapers across the country for a husband for her, but I did. You wouldn’t believe some of the men who answered. Let’s just say they were unusual and leave it at that. Except for Jake. He was, by far, the best. It didn’t take very long for him to fall in love withTiaEvie, but it took a little bit for her to fall in love with him. She?—”
“We’re here.” Ben brought the buggy to a stop where the long drive curved, just before reaching the house proper.
Sheridan looked at the house just ahead of her. It was huge, much bigger than the parlor house. Bigger than the mansion in New Orleans where she’d been born. Two stories high with a wide front porch, it exuded peace and love and welcome to friend and stranger alike, emotions she could already feel just looking at it. “This is where you grew up?”
“It is. It’s not just a house. It’s a home.TiaEvie saw to that. So did Hilde and everyone else here. I was lucky. So lucky. There’s a lot of love here. I hope you feel it.” Lucy turned in her seat and faced forward, then tapped Ben on the shoulder. He closed the distance to the house.
The buggy didn’t even come to a full stop in front of the porch steps before the door swung open. Two little boys raced out of the house, shouting Lucy and Ben’s names, followed by awoman, who wasn’t quite quick enough to stop them. They were followed by two more boys. All four of them swarmed both Ben and Lucy as they alighted with hugs and kisses and squeals of delight.
Sheridan didn’t quite know what to do. She’d never been exposed to exuberant boys before, and quite frankly, they frightened the daylights out of her. They were cute though and sweet and talkative and obviously adored Ben and Lucy.
Older than she originally thought, the woman walked down from the porch and approached the buggy, her stride full of grace. Gray threaded her light brown hair and fine lines spread out from both her eyes and her mouth, but neither dulled her radiant smile. “Boys. That’s enough now.”
The boys did as they were asked, though their joy at seeing Lucy and Ben was palpable.
“You must be Sheridan.” The woman extended her hand and helped her from the vehicle.
Sheridan looked into the kindest eyes she’d ever seen and knew, immediately, this woman was the reason Lucy was such a lovely person. “I am.”
“Everleigh Hannigan, but you can call meTiaEvie. Welcome to Montaña del Trueno.” Her smile was so welcoming. There was something about this woman that exuded love. Plain and simple. No wonder Lucy adored her. They’d just met and already, Sheridan could feel herself being drawn in, being accepted for who she was, being loved. It made her want to be likeTiaEvie. And her own mother. Open. Warm. Friendly.
“These ruffians are Toughie, Rico, Miguel and Ramon. My grandnephews.” Evie hooked her hand into the crook of Sheridan’s arm and walked her up the porch steps and into the house. “Come meet the rest of the family. Don’t be nervous. We don’t bite,” she said softly, a twinkle in her eye, as she tookSheridan’s cape, scarf and gloves, then led her past the formal parlor and into a big, roomy, sunlight-filled kitchen.
Sheridan stopped short as Evie held the swinging door open. It looked like the whole town was standing in that room, everyone talking, cooking and baking, laughing. And all at once, panic set in.
“It’s all right.” Tia Evie squeezed her hand. “We’ll be gentle.”
Sheridan didn’t say anything.
“Everyone, this is Sheridan DuBois,” Evie announced and squeezed her hand again in reassurance.
All the people filling the kitchen turned at once. Sheridan stilled even as her heart thundered in her chest. If she thought her palms were damp before, she was mistaken, as one by one, Lucy’s extended family introduced themselves, even the boys, their manners above reproach, completely opposite of the way they’d greeted Lucy and Ben.
There was no way she’d remember the names of so many people. That, however, did not overshadow the feeling of contentment by the warm welcome she received. There was so much love in this house, in this family, much different than what she’d grown up with. It was overwhelming, and twice, she had to swallow hard over the lump in her throat. She especially liked Hilde, who reminded her of Mrs. Gallagher, except the accent was different. Whereas Mrs. Gallagher’s Irish came out when she spoke, Hilde’s was German, at least, that’s what Sheridan thought, especially when she gently reprimanded the children.
She liked Savannah, Lucy’s niece, too. Obviously, the girl didn’t have the same rules applied to her as Sheridan had grown up with, and the difference was more than amazing. Savannah was happy, carefree, confident and a regular little chatterbox, the complete opposite of her.
Her nervousness started to disappear. She shouldn’t have been worried about what these people would think of her,having inherited Josie’s parlor house. Not one looked at her any differently than they would a stranger on the street and it was all too much. Tears made her vision blurry as she sat at the long kitchen table and was given a cup of coffee.
“Where’s Teddy?” Lucy asked after she received her last hug and slid onto the bench next to her.
“He’s in the stable.” Esmeralda laughed as she, too, sat. “Showing off the foals that were born two springs ago.” She pulled Miguel a little closer to her. “Go tell your father we have company.”
“Okay, mama!” The boy grabbed his coat from the coat rack beside the door and rushed out to do her bidding, leaving the kitchen door wide open.
“That boy! I swear he was born in a barn!” She rose from her seat and closed the door.
“And Heath?” Lucy asked Jenny, who stood at the butcher block table and chopped carrots, adding them to a big bowl as she worked.
“He’s manning that barbeque pit he built last year. He’s grilling even though it’s so cold out.” Jenny laughed, too. “You know your brother. Any excuse at all to cook over open flames. We’re having steak.”
“I love steak!” Savannah chimed in before she wandered over to Hilde to help her with the dishes filling the sink.
“Me, too!” Ramon shouted, much too loud for the room. “I like ice cream, too! We’re havin’ that for dessert!”
“Tell us about yourself, Sheridan.” Tia Evie drew her attention.
Sheridan froze.
