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“Don’t tell,” Caine advised, sending her a devilish smile and a quick wink. “Not knowing will bug him to death.”
Grady didn’t get a chance to pry anymore, anyway. Everyone else showed up, seemingly all at once. Grady’s parents, grandfather, and Jo Ellen appeared along with Cooper and baby Tanner. Her father strolled in next with her three brothers and sister-in-law, Phyllis. Thankfully, Buck and Phyllis had found a sitter for their little hellion.
Jeb and Rudy trooped directly toward her, while Leroy stopped a few yards away with Buck and his wife.
Rudy was the first to speak. Holding out two envelopes, he said, “Here. This one’s from the Smardos. Junkyard would’ve liked to come, but he thought it best to stay away.”
B.J. stared at the card in surprise. Well, hell, she hadn’t expected to receive gifts for marrying Grady. Getting him felt like a special present all by itself. However long he could stand to be married to her, he was going to be hers.
“Uh. . .thanks,” she said, feeling uncomfortable as she took the card her brother thrust into her unsuspecting hands.
“And this one’s from me,” Rudy said, pushing another card at her. “Actually, it’s from all of us, but no one else had the balls to give it to you.”
He sent a meaningful look toward Pop. But Jeb merely cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck.
“So, uh, what do I got to do at this thing?” he asked.
For the first time, she noticed he was wearing a new pair of overalls and his thin, gray hair had been slicked back as if recently brushed with a wet comb. Feeling a sudden spark of adoration for him, she smiled.
“Don’t worry, Pop. This isn’t one of those conventional weddings. You don’t have to walk me down the aisle or anything.”
“Oh,” he said, and for a second she could’ve sworn he looked disappointed. But then he blew out a breath and gruffly said, “Thank God.”
B.J.’s grin spread. She was about to tease and put him on the spot by saying something like, ‘unless you really want to,’ bu
t both men tensed, glancing over her shoulder at someone’s approach. She turned and found Jo Ellen there, holding out two small wrapped presents.
As Jeb and Rudy subtly backed off, moving automatically toward the rest of their family, Jo Ellen grinned and handed the gifts over. “Emma Leigh says she’s sorry she couldn’t make it today. But this is from her and her husband, Bran.”
She piled the package in B.J.’s quickly filling arms. “And this is from me, Cooper, and Tanner. Actually, it’s really for the baby. It’s a book. What to Expect when You’re Expecting.”
B.J. blinked down at the second gift Jo Ellen had given her. “Really? Well, hot damn, I didn’t know I could buy instructions for the little ankle bitter.”
Jo Ellen laughed and then impulsively threw her arms around B.J. Since her hands were already full, B.J. couldn’t hug back, so she stood there in stunned shock as Grady’s sister kissed her cheek and said into her ear, “Welcome to the family. Oh, and thank you for not sleeping with Cooper.”
B.J. pulled back in surprise. When Jo Ellen merely beamed, she blinked. Then she let out a chuckle.
“Did he tell you?” she had to know. “Or did you just listen in on our conversation?”
Jo Ellen snorted. “Like I could get him to confess something like that.”
B.J. shook her head. “It wouldn’t have happened between us, anyway,” she said. “He was so hung up on you, it was pathetic.”
Jo smiled, obviously pleased to hear such a report. “Then I’m glad you were there to cheer him up.”
B.J. glanced around to make sure no one else was listening. But Grady stood gathered with his family, and her relatives were clustered in their own group.
“I really don’t do sympathy sex,” she muttered quietly so only Jo Ellen could hear. “I wasn’t thinking one sorry thought when Grady and I—” Realizing she was about to discuss personal details with his sister, she snapped her mouth shut.
Jo Ellen smiled. “Well, that’s good to know. Just as long as you did with Cooper.”
“Okay, it was all about sympathy with Cooper,” she relented. “That’s true. And Ralphie Smardo too, but not—”
“I think it’s time to get started,” Granger Rawlings announced loudly from his wheelchair. “But before we all go into the judge’s office, I demand a kiss from my soon-to-be granddaughter.”
B.J. was quick to oblige the old man. She leaned over him and pressed her lips to his cheek, but he grabbed her hand and returned the sentiment, softly saying for her ears alone, “I’m glad it’s you who’ll be taking care of my grand-boy.”
She blinked repeatedly as she straightened. She hadn’t expected this kind of welcome at all from Grady’s family. She’d just assumed they’d see her as some kind of opportunist leech, going after the sad widower and taking advantage of him. But with Jo Ellen’s, Granger’s, and Caine’s approval, she felt pretty damn good.
