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Jolene turned and frowned at her husband but then got called into the kitchen and Kendra breathed a sigh of relief and moved into the living room, finding a seat with Ivan after she’d been introduced to his other aunt and uncle.
“Thanks, Ivan,” his cousin Faith said. “There is almost no way I can avoid this now.”
She wasn’t sure what Faith was saying until Ivan tapped her on the thigh and laughed. “Faith is next on the target list. What she doesn’t realize is we’ve all been on this list and my aunt really had no clue who was next, but now she is the last one standing.”
“There are a few single ladies in the office,” she said.
“Don’t give her any ideas,” Ella said.
“I tried, Faith,” Kendra said.
“I appreciate it. I’m smarter than my aunt thinks I am.”
“I heard that, Faith,” Jolene yelled from the kitchen. “None of you are as smart as me.”
“Except Gavin,” Travis said.
There was a round of laughter to that. Jolene pointed her finger at her son-in-law. “Be thankful you just gave me another grandchild. You’re off the hook. Now some other people in this room aren’t. Devin?”
“No comment,” Devin said. “I sure do love trying.”
Hope’s face turned red, but she shook her head no to Jolene.
“Don’t ask me again,” Aimee said.
“Me neither,” Jessica said.
Jolene’s shoulders dropped. “Nic is out. Alex, well I know better. Cade ruined her.”
“I should have a free pass for having twins,” Jessica said. “Why don’t I?”
“Because you had me,” Mason said. “Alex has Cade. Enough said.”
There was more laughter and Kendra realized that though it was loud it might be the best holiday gathering she’d ever had and couldn’t wait to have another with the Fierce family.
* * *
“That went so well,”Jolene said to her sister Shay. She’d told Shay to stay late so they could compare notes. “How did it go at your house?”
“It was fine,” Shay said.
“Only fine?” It seemed no one wanted to give her anything lately.
“Yes. It’s been a few months,” Shay said. “What are you looking for?”
“Half the other kids were close to shopping for rings after a few months.”
Shay laughed. “We are talking about Ivan you know?”
“Damn it,” she said. “I guess he might be looking for a sale.”
“Or not looking at all,” Ethan said. “You two need to let Ivan do this on his own. It’s not as easy as you think it is.”
Normally her brother-in-law didn’t say much and that was telling enough. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Shay said. “I told you how Karen hurt her hand weeks ago. Kendra was upset over that.”
“So there was a setback? You said Karen came to your house this morning. I found Kendra’s mother to be refreshing.”
