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Josh discovered draping his right arm across the back of Charlie’s chair would serve as bit of a barrier. But this posture made eating impossible, so he had to abandon his defense.
“So are you really marrying that Neanderthal?” asked Collin.
“Yes, Collin. I’m reall
y marrying Josh.”
“Well I understand why you’d be too embarrassed to wear an engagement ring. I wouldn’t want to claim him either, if I were you.”
Josh tried to ignore the bait Collin was throwing his way, but he found himself clenching his left hand into a fist.
“The only reason I’m not wearing a ring is he hasn’t given it to me yet. I’m not ashamed to claim him.”
“Yes darling,” Collin said, stroking her arm like a kitten. “You just keep telling yourself that. Are you sure he intends to actually marry you? Because if you were mine, I would’ve put a ring on your hand in nothing flat. Staking my territory, so-to-speak.”
“Collin, I believe you’ve staked your territory with any number of women without the benefit of any rings,” Steven remarked.
“Yes, but I’m smart enough to recognize some women don’t require a ring.” He looked meaningfully at Charlie and covered her hand with his. “While others do.”
“Stop touching her,” Josh said between clenched teeth. Collin withdrew his hand slowly, while holding his smile and gazing at Charlie.
Evan laughed out loud. “This is a wonderful dinner, Gram. I just love all this family togetherness.” He turned to Anne. “Are you tired of my cousin yet? You know I’m still waiting for you. Surely by now you’ve discovered what a terrible bore he is.”
“No—sorry Evan. I’ll be sure to let you know if I ever discover Steven’s boring. So far, he and the boys have kept me on my toes.”
“I’ll have to admit, I never thought I’d see my playboy cousin reduced to changing diapers and playing patty-cake. But the boys are awfully cute. They obviously take after their mother.”
“Cousin, that’s about as close as you’ve ever come to a compliment,” said Steven.
“No compliment intended for you, cousin. Just the usual jibe. The compliment was for Anne and the boys.”
Josh was so busy listening to this exchange he missed all but the end of Charlie and Collin’s conversation. “... But I have an extra ticket. Would you like to go?” asked Collin.
“Well—”
“Are you asking my fiancée out?” Josh could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears.
“Just think about it,” Collin told Charlie. He gave Josh a smug smile before turning to flirt with Claire.
“What was that about?” Josh asked Charlie, trying to gauge her reaction. Was she attracted to Collin? Was she upset Josh wasn’t stopping his aggression? One more aggressive move and he might lose his temper. But he didn’t want to make a scene in front of the entire family. He concentrated on taking slow, deep breaths.
“It was nothing. He’s just trying to jerk your chain.”
“Well, he’s done it,” Josh mumbled.
From across the table, David spoke up. “Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, I must say you have produced four amazingly beautiful daughters!”
“Thank you. What was your name again?”
“David,” he supplied. “You’re welcome, Mrs. Marshall.”
“You can call me Connie.”
“Connie, I see Hannah got her gorgeous blue eyes from you.”
“Why, thank you, David.” Connie cheeks gained an attractive rosy glow while her husband scowled beside her.
“If I could get these girls out to California, I’d turn them into stars,” David proclaimed.
