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“Cap, jeans, and navy sweater? Pip’s height?”
“Yeah, that one. Guess what she does?”
“Lumberjack?”
“No,” Joe said.
Ted closed his eyes and rocked back on his heels. His father and now brother were senators, but he’d settled for life here, where he’d fallen in love with sweet and gentle Mandy Robbins.
“How many guesses do I get?”
“One more,” Joe said.
“NASCAR driver?”
“No, but equally as cool. She’s a fighter pilot.”
“Serious? That is cool. But who is she and should I care?”
“She’s Ivan and Shelly Harper’s youngest child.”
“Really? I had Shelly in with the bridge crowd just last week, and she was talking about her son, but I had no idea she had a daughter too.”
“Which is weird, don’t you think?” Jack said. Pip had finished messing him up and was back behind the counter.
“Luke!”
“Oh hey there, Mrs. Howard,” Luke said to the woman approaching. He felt his brothers and Ted move together. Safety in numbers around this woman.
“I have decided the bachelorette night will have one man in it. You are that man.”
“I… ah. Why?”
“Because we raised a lot of money with you last time, and the children need a new minivan for their school trips. We want to raise as much as we can.”
She never asked, but always demanded. Her voice was loud enough to reach all corners of the cafe.
“I think that’s a bit insulting to the bachelorettes, don’t you?”
“Hey, Mom,” Piper said, stepping in between Luke and Mrs. Howard. “What can I get you?” She leaned in to kiss the woman’s cheek.
“Nothing. I just came to tell Luke what needs to be done.”
“I hope you asked him, not told him,” Pip said.
“I’ll only fill in if you can’t get the numbers,” Luke said.
“Must go. Wear your fire uniform, Luke.” Mrs. Howard bent to kiss Benji’s cheek. She then raised a hand and sailed out the door she’d just entered.
“I always feel like I’ve been sandblasted after a conversation with that woman,” Luke said. “And I don’t want to be the only male in the bachelorette auction. It’s for the women, for pity’s sake.”
“But you look so cute in your uniform,” Joe said. Then he and Jack made kissy sounds.
“Here’s your coffee, Teddy Bear,” Pip said. “You and Mandy set that date yet?”
Ted took it. “Soon. We’re keeping it low-key.”
“No trumpeters announcing your arrival?” Joe asked. “Seems a bit off considering your heritage.”
