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Normally the first thing she’d do in his car was mess with the radio, then she’d be bouncing around, or talking at him a mile a minute about something that had her all excited. All week the show had been top on the list. As he walked to the gallery from his car a short while ago, he could see the sheer joy on her face as she spoke with Veronica.
Now, in a matter of minutes, all the fire in her soul seemed to have slipped away. “What’s wrong?”
She shrugged and leaned her head back against the seat. “I just wish my brothers could see I’m not a baby any more.”
At least she wasn’t upset with anything he’d done or said. “Give them time. They’ll come around.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“That they’ll come around?” What had he missed?
Chuckling, a hint of light reappeared in her eyes. “Giving them time. I have visions of getting their blessing to date you on my fiftieth birthday.”
Now, he was the one to laugh. “Maybe not that much time.” Without thinking, he reached over and covered her hand with his. He’d been doing this all week, and today, it occurred to him that he’d never dated a woman in his entire life whose hand he craved to hold. Never had he felt the need to feel connected, even if only by the touch of fingertips.
“Okay. Now you’ve got a funny look on your face. Is it one of my brothers? Because so help me, if they’re giving you more grief again, I’ll knock their lights out.”
“Whoa, Champ. Your brothers have been very civil.”
“I’m not looking for civil. I’m looking for normal.”
So was he. Chase was slowly coming around, Mitch was hard to read. Craig seemed to be on the fence, but Kyle was a tough nut to crack. The two of them had sowed many an oat in their years of friendship and he could only begin to imagine what Kyle must think. Heaven knew if Jack had a kid sister dating the old Kyle Baron, Jack would be anything but happy.
By the time they’d parked in front of the ranch house and made their way inside, the house was buzzing with activity. Jack had known most of the Baron cousins since childhood. After all, Kyle was his oldest and bestest friend. But what Jack hadn’t expected was the warm welcome from most of the cousins.
Leah Baron had dragged Siobhan away to look at who knew what, while Devlin had cornered him about a new real estate project he had on the table. As Dev was called away by his sister Claire, he paused and slapped Jack on the back. “For the record, I think you and Siobhan are good for each other.”
Before Jack could form a thought, Devlin had walked away, leaving him standing alone in the foyer.
“Don’t look so confused.” Smiling at him, Eve, his former plus one and Siobhan’s older sister, shook her head and sidled up beside him. “Kyle doesn’t speak for the whole family.”
“Then you’re okay with Siobhan and me, too?”
“Whose blue dress do you think she wore last weekend?”
He couldn’t help but smile at Eve. “Thank you.”
“Don’t let my stubborn brothers bother you. We’re working on them. It’ll be fine.”
“I’m taking things really slowly, but when it comes to Siobhan, I seem to be a little short on patience.” Kyle and Mitch were holding strong in their unwillingness to bend, proving the hardest to convince of his intentions.
Eve leaned back, eyed him carefully, and bobbed her head. “I never thought I’d see the day anyone would domesticate Jack Preston, the most eligible bachelor in Houston. I’d better work on Kyle a little harder.”
“Mitch too, please.” Pandering for any help in his efforts to convince the Baron men that he wasn’t toying with their sister’s affections wasn’t beneath him.
With a quick peck on his cheek, and a sweet smile that reminded him of Siobhan, she took a step in retreat. “But just to be clear, if you break her heart—”
“It’ll be the last thing I ever do. I’m getting that message loud and clear.”
Her grin widened and she patted his arm. “As long as we understand each other.”
Looking around, he found himself searching for Siobhan. Eve was right. The Jack Preston standing in the foyer was not the same guy who had partied hard with Kyle and company. Somehow, he had to prove that to Siobhan’s brothers. And the way he felt, sooner would be better than later.
Chapter Sixteen
The day of the gallery show had finally arrived. Siobhan had barely slept last night. The chosen prints were all framed and delivered to the gallery a few days ago. Under the wire, but delivered. Veronica wouldn’t let her see the display and curiosity was driving Siobhan crazy.
“Maybe a stiff brandy will help,” the Governor teased, but deep down, she suspected he was actually serious.
