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The cars came to a stop, filling the circular driveway, and Veronica took a bracing breath. Hank lifted her hand and kissed the ring he’d placed on her finger earlier that afternoon, with Woody Porter officiating. Woody stood with the group, too, having just given her a wink of assurance before she faced the door and opened it.
Grandma Kate came forward to greet the Montana Benedicts on the front porch. Grace joined her on one side, and Veronica stepped forward to her other side as the passengers of the vehicles climbed out and mounted the steps.
Grandma Kate clapped her hands together, a wide smile on her face, and said, “George, Norah, welcome to the Divine Creek Ranch. I’m so thrilled—we are so thrilled you and the family have decided to join us.”
Her mother and father, with slightly bemused looks on their faces, came forward and were first enveloped in Kate’s embrace and then introduced to Grace as the lady of the house. They greeted her graciously and then turned to Veronica.
Her father hugged her with care after casting a glance at her knee-length dress and said, “It’s a shame that it had to take coming to Texas to see our youngest daughter for the holidays.”
Grandma Kate chuckled and said, “Oh dear, George, you’re here for so much more.”
He frowned as he stepped aside and glanced in the house but stayed on the porch, making room for her mother.
Veronica kept her left hand behind her back and was able to genuinely smile as Hank intertwined her hidden fingers with his. She braced herself as her mother formed a smile that didn’t really reach her eyes and came close for a hug and a surgically precise whisper. “Pudge, I think you really should’ve have chosen a dress that camouflaged your legs a little better.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Mom. I feel beautiful in it and I love the length.”
Her mother gave a simple, high-pitched “hmmpf” and her eyes grew a little round as she glanced over Veronica’s shoulder. Without looking, Veronica knew the reason for her reaction. Hank and Travis were standing directly behind her, like guard dogs, as several more family members mounted the porch.
Her sister, Addison, came next, her brows knit slightly as she leaned down to hug Grandma Kate. “Aunt Kate. Nice to see you again. We rearranged all our Christmas plans and we’re here at your request.” She spoke politely but there was a subtle terseness to her words.
“My dear Addison, willowy thin and to the point, exactly as I remember you, bless your heart. It’s been years since last I saw you but you haven’t changed a bit.” Addison nodded and smiled to Grace and then turned to Veronica.
“Ronnie!” she said in a fake, high-pitched cheery voice with a bounce in her step as she pranced to her. With the fake smile on her face, she said, “You look so pretty. But white? Really?”
“Mmmhmm, really.” Veronica chuckled when she heard Hank growl behind her and she gave Addison a one-armed hug and said, “Yep, you haven’t changed a bit. I’m so happy you could come.”
Grandma Kate greeted Jesse and Barry next. “Why my goodness, Jesse and Barry, you’re both still single? We’ll have to work on that some time when you come visit me in Lusty, yes?”
“Um…sure, Grandma—” Jesse glanced at his mother when she cleared her throat. Veronica caught the disapproval in her glare and he corrected himself. “I mean Aunt Kate. We’ll have to do that.”
Veronica scoffed to herself, making a mental note to have Kate share the true family connection, that she was their distant cousin, if the opportunity arose. Her mother cared enough about them not referring to her as Grandma Kate, but not enough to set the record straight. Typical. Maybe her mother was jealous of Kate’s status as the family matriarch and wanted them to keep their distance. Also typical.
Barry came to Grandma Kate and grinned at her and accepted her hug. “Hey, Aunt Kate. Good to see you again. Yeah, maybe we’ll have to pay you a visit out there sometime soon.”
“I think you should,” Grandma Kate said with a chuckle, and Veronica could almost hear the “Bless your heart” in her Kate’s tone.
Both Jesse and Barry came at Veronica and hollered “Round Ronnie!” as they reached to grab her up and tickle her. Jesse froze first as he looked over her shoulder and Barry stopped in mid-grab. She’d warned Hank and Travis they would do this. To grab and tickle her until she screamed was part of their greeting. One of the big reasons she’d avoided them whenever she could.
