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“Stop.” I smile up at him.
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” he says.
Just like that, I’ve agreed to have dinner with the entire Riggins family.
Chapter 17
Marshall
“Hey, don’t be nervous,” I say, pulling into the driveway of my parents’ house.
“Easier said than done,” Wren mutters.
“Wren.” I say her name in that way. Do you know the look that you get when someone wants you to look at them? I know that she knows that’s what I want, but she ignores me. She’s freaking out. She has nothing to be nervous about. She’s hung out with my family many times, hell they watched her daughter yesterday, but this, today, it feels different. This is a family gathering. Meant for family. I know what she’s thinking, that she and Madeline aren’t family, but they could be. I shake out of that line of thinking. Today is not the day to go there.
“Maddie, tell Mommy it’s going to be fine,” I say. I know Wren well because she turns to look at her daughter in the back seat, but I stop her, capturing her face with my hands. “We want you here. You know my sisters love you, and so does everyone else. My parents pretty much insisted that you be here.”
“What about you?” she asks softly.
“I want you both here,” I say, giving her a smile that I hope eases her fears.
“Okay.” She nods, pushing back her shoulders.
“There’s my girl.” I lean over the console of my SUV and kiss the corner of her mouth. “I’ll get Maddie.” With that, I grab my keys and climb out of the SUV. Opening the back-passenger door, I lift Madeline, seat and all, before closing the door. Wren is standing beside me with the diaper bag in hand. “If at any time you feel as though you want to leave, you tell me, and we’re gone. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable.”
“You can’t leave your family dinner.”
“I can and I will. You say the word and we’re gone,” I say again.
“Thank you, Marshall.” Rising on the balls of her feet, she presses a kiss on my cheek.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, I slide my arm around her waist, holding her close. “Anything for you, Wren. Anything.” My voice is soft, but the seriousness of my tone isn’t lost on her. I can see it in her eyes. Moving my hand to the small of her back, I lead her up the front steps of my parents’ house. Inside, I set the car seat on the floor and expertly release Madeline from its confines. “Ready to be loved on, baby girl?” I ask her.
The adorable little girl coos at me, and I kiss the top of her head. “Come,” I say, holding my hand out for Wren. Hand in hand, we make our way to the kitchen, and I stop. Something is wrong. Mom’s not cooking. “What’s going on?” I ask. “I thought we were having dinner? What’s happened? Who’s sick?” I fire off questions to my parents.
“Nothing is wrong,” Mom says with a blinding smile. “No one is sick, and we are having dinner. We’re switching things up today.”
“As soon as Royce and Owen get here, we’ll explain,” Dad tells me.
“Everyone’s okay?” I ask, needing to make sure.
“Everyone is fine,” Dad assures me.
“Where are Con, Grant? I saw their trucks outside.”
“They’re… here,” Mom says cryptically.
“These people are hiding something, Maddie,” I tell the baby, snuggling her to my chest.
“Want me to take her?” Wren asks.
“Nah, babe. I’ve got her.” She always asks, and I know she’s just making sure I don’t feel obligated. “We’re best buds, right, Maddie?” I ask the baby, bouncing her a little in my arms, making her giggle. That sound always brings a smile to my face.
“Hey, where is everyone?” Royce asks. He has Roan in his arms and Sawyer clutched to his side.
“Why’s it so quiet in here?” Owen asks, stepping beside Royce. Carter is in his arms and already reaching for my dad. Layla smiles as she watches Dad steal Carter from Owen. My brother grumbles about him stealing his son, but otherwise, he’s too distracted, wanting to know what the hell’s going on.
“Well, we have a surprise for you,” Mom tells us.
“Wait, where are Con and Grant?” Owen asks.
“As I was saying”—Mom gives him a pointed look that we all know means, hush and let her finish. It’s one we’ve seen a lot over the years—“today we have a special Sunday dinner.”
“What?” Royce, Owen, and I ask at the same time.
“Go on out back and see.” Mom smiles.
“Why are the blinds closed?” Royce asks before I get a chance to.
“Just go on outside, boys.” Dad chuckles. Carter must think that’s his cue to laugh because he begins to giggle for no reason.
“They’re your sons,” Mom tells Dad. I can hear the exasperation in her voice, and that, too, makes me grin.
