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With a short nod of her head, she let him know ‘message received’ and dug into her pancakes again.
“Not the best of neighborhoods.” Mitch shook his head. “We appreciate you stepping in.”
“Nothing y’all wouldn’t have done.”
No one could argue with that. All her brothers and cousins were raised to be gentlemen. Old-fashioned chivalry was alive and well in this part of Texas. Even the players in the family were respectful and protective of the women in their lives. No matter how well they did or didn’t know them. Jack was part of the family and, of course, he would make sure she was safe. The same way he took care of getting his own date home safe and sound. But, like the rest of her family, she was very, very glad that Jack had been there.
“Did you have a good time at the wedding?” Grams asked him.
“Actually, I had more fun helping Siobhan.”
“How’s that?” Mitch lifted his gaze from his plate to Siobhan then back to Jack.
“You all know I was replacing Marilyn as principal photographer but the assistant she hired never showed up.”
Jack raised his hand. “Meet her temporary assistant.”
“Wasn’t that sweet of you?” Grams grinned from ear to ear. As if showing their appreciation, Honey, the border collie at her grandmother’s side, lifted her head from the floor and began swishing her tail.
Listening to Jack retell the events of the night from his perspective as impromptu photography assistant had Mitch staring back and forth intently at both of them. Though there was no reason for it, his scrutiny had her wanting to shift in her seat.
“Siobhan did a great job.” Jack snagged a slice of toast off of a platter. “The way she coaxed just the right expressions and reactions from the bridal party was impressive. Not an easy feat to corral everyone for the photos when quite a few were already drunk.”
“Oh, my.” Her grandmother pointed to a framed print of one of her Big Bend photos that hung across the room, a smile taking over her face again. “She is quite the photographer.”
Jack turned his head, his gaze narrowed as he studied the photograph, then whistled. “That’s a lot of talent.”
“Thank you.” She smiled up at him, thankful for the support.
“Weddings are just a side gig. Help pay the bills until I can make a name for myself.” The wedding gigs had actually been fun, but her first love was definitely her wildlife photography and her action photos like the Baroness racing next. Most of her childhood she’d dreamed of either captaining racing yachts or photo journalism.
Her cell phone played “Irish Eyes” and a smile tugged hard at the corners of her mouth. The most difficult part of having an Irish mother and an American father was splitting her time between the two. She loved them both so much, but it was increasingly looking like her life was unfolding here more than across the pond, so hearing her mother’s voice always made her smile. “It’s Mum. She probably wants to hear how the wedding went. Is it all right if I put her on speakerphone?”
“No phone at the table is a rule that can always be broken for Maura.” The Governor smiled sincerely and Siobhan tapped at her phone. Could this morning get any better?
“Hi Mum. You’re on speaker.” Siobhan’s eyes lit up.
Though he tried his best to be discreet, Jack couldn’t help but watch her.
“Hello to everyone.” A chorus of hello, hi, and good morning echoed around the room. “Tell me, girl, how was the wedding yesterday?” Her mother’s musical lilt came through the phone.
A wide grin on her face, Siobhan leaned back in her seat and began recounting the events in more detail than before. With each story of the night, Siobhan’s enthusiasm grew. Practically bouncing in her chair, her smile bloomed and her eyes sparkled. Her love for her mother seemed to energize her every sentence. The same could be said for her mother. Jack didn’t listen to the words, but the tone. In every question her mother asked, the pride in her voice couldn’t be missed.
The delight in Siobhan’s voice and her sweet relationship with her mother washed over him. She looked downright adorable. Though he was pretty sure Siobhan would give him an earful if she heard him think that. Grown up or not, her smile was infectious. No way could he watch her excitement and not smile back.
When the call was over, Siobhan gave a wistful sigh before digging back into her food.
“Your mother sounds good.” The Governor sipped his coffee with one hand and scratched behind Moon’s ears with the other. Honey’s littermate leaned into the Governor’s leg. Those two dogs were as lucky as the rest of the Baron clan.
“I worry about her all alone sometimes, but it’s good to hear all is well.”
And wasn’t that the icing on the cake. Not only did the kid like her mother, she worried about her too.
“Governor?” Siobhan wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “I was planning to hit the mall today. There are a few things I need to pick up at the camera store. Since I don’t have my car, may I borrow one of the other ones?”
“I can take you.” The words slipped out before Jack had time to think better of it.
Eyes wide, Siobhan’s gaze raced back to his. “You don’t need to go out of your way again.”
