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“I’m afraid there’s nothing salacious involved. Just thinking how Grams loves a good party and how pretty much everyone in Houston covets an invitation to one of her events.” And when his grandmother put on a party, it was always the event of the year.
“Oh, that she does.” Paige took a sip from her wine glass. “I can’t believe she talked Siobhan into this big shindig.”
“The kid seems so happy, I think Grams could have talked her into an engagement party in a cave with nothing but vampire bats in attendance.”
“We’ve been over this, she’s not a kid. Not anymore.”
Deep down he knew that, but he suspected even when she starts collecting social security, he’d still be calling her kid. Though it took a while for him to stop growling at Jack. Once he finally saw past the fury and took a look—a good look—he saw what his grandmother and sisters had been telling him. That same head over heels look that had been in his brothers’ eyes at finding the right woman, was shining brightly for all to see in Jack’s eyes. And Siobhan’s too.
Even now. They were halfway across the outdoor tent and the electricity between them was so strong Mitch was pretty sure if anyone bumped into them, they’d get burned.
“They do look wonderful, don’t they?” Paige took another sip of wine. “Reminds me a little of you and Abbie.”
Is that what he and his late wife looked like? If Jack Preston loved Siobhan even half as much as he had loved Abbie, then they’d be the luckiest two people in the world.
“Except he’s a better dancer than you are.” Paige bumped him with her hip.
That snapped him out of his melancholy and brought a smile to his face and the deep-rooted sense of competition that ran through every Baron’s veins soared. “I’ll have you know I’m an excellent dancer.” To prove his point, he grabbed his sister by the hand and spun her into a dance pose without spilling a drop of the wine in her glass.
“Okay,” Paige chuckled, “maybe you are better.”
Paige turned her attention back to the newly engaged couple.
“Did I really look at Abbie that way?”
His sister nodded. “You did. I remember the first time you brought her to the ranch for Sunday supper. Every time she opened her mouth, you looked at her as if she was about to spew forth holy scripture. I knew then she was the one and only for you.”
And wasn’t that the problem? He truly believed in the love of a lifetime, but he’d already had his. There’d be no second chances for him.
“All of you look at the women you love that way. I’d like to think Daniel looks at me like that.”
“He does.” Mitch had noticed the connection between Paige and Daniel early on. If he hadn’t been so angry at the idea of Jack taking advantage of his youngest sister, he probably would have seen the love there sooner.
“Oh, man.” Paige waved a finger at her sister. “I didn’t think people dipped anymore. Look at them. They haven’t taken their eyes off each other, and more importantly, he didn’t drop her.”
“He wouldn’t dare.”
Paige chuckled again. The music had stopped and the couple of honor had shifted from the dance floor to making the rounds, thanking the guests for coming. Their grandmother had trained them all well. Even as the happy couple maneuvered through the crowd, they continued to hold hands, and every so often would stop to stare up at each other. If he didn’t know better, Mitch would swear those two were about to self combust. Something told him this wedding was going to happen sooner rather than later.
When they reached the table where Jack’s mother and father were seated, he leaned over to give his mother a huge hug. Arms open wide, Mrs. Preston gave Siobhan an equally big hug. While the two women chatted contentedly, Jack wandered away and returned with fresh drinks for his parents. The conversation between mother and future daughter-in-law continued while Jack walked away again, returning with a dish overflowing with desserts, and set it in front of his mother. The woman beamed at him, and Jack’s smile bloomed as he leaned over to kiss his mother on the cheek again.
“You know,” Paige took a quick sip of her drink, “they say you can tell how a man will treat his wife by the way he treats his mother. I’d say Siobhan has it made in the shade.”
Mitch simply nodded. He really shouldn’t have given Jack such a hard time. If his kid sister ever found out that Mitch actually tried to pay Jack off to leave her alone, she’d probably hang him from the nearest tree by his toes.
“Here they come.” Paige elbowed her brother. “Don’t want them to know we’ve been staring.”
“They have to know everyone has been watching them. They are the guests of honor, after all.”
Still holding hands, Jack and Siobhan joined them at the family table.
“I never realized how much work is involved in being the reason for the party.” Somehow, Jack managed to pull the chair out for his bride-to-be without letting go of her hand.
Siobhan smiled up at her fiancé. “Maybe we should elope and avoid the whole thing. I mean, this little bash is big enough of a party, not sure I have it in me to do this all over again.”
As far as Mitch knew, every woman under the sun dreamed of a big Cinderella wedding. Not his baby sister.
“I think Grams would have a heart attack.” Paige shrugged. “She lives for weddings.”
