two of them took off, and before long, Kylie returned, wearing a pair of cowboy boots, just like Angie, her hair in princess-perfect pigtails.
“Let’s go,” he said.
It took only ten minutes on the county road to reach his parents’ ranch. After driving through the white wooden gate, Toby followed the graveled road to the house and parked near the barn, next to the other cars and trucks.
“Looks like everyone beat us here,” he said.
“Are we late?” Angie asked.
“Not really. But I have a feeling the women in my family were eager to be here when we arrived.”
“Why?”
“Curiosity, I suppose.” Toby shut off the ignition. “They know we’ve been seeing a lot of each other, and I’m afraid their imaginations are getting the best of them.”
He could argue—and, in fact, he had argued—that he and Angie weren’t dating, that she was merely helping him out with the kids. But sexual attraction and mutual interest were definitely flaring beneath the surface, and he wasn’t so sure he’d be able to keep that a secret, especially here.
They all got out of the truck. As usual, the kids managed to pile out a lot faster than they ever climbed in.
“Don’t forget to wipe your feet at the front door,” Toby called out to them. “And don’t barge in. Hang on until Angie and I get there.”
“We won’t,” they called back in near unison.
Toby waited for Angie, as she reached into the cab and pulled out a denim jacket. Then she slipped into it, covering the white sundress that revealed a lovely set of tanned arms and shoulders. But as afternoon wore into evening, he knew there was a chance it could get chilly, so he couldn’t blame her for being prepared.
Next he watched as she reached into the cab for the platter of brownies she’d brought.
“I’m sorry,” she said, as she realized he was standing near the truck, waiting for her. “I didn’t mean to be a slug.”
“No problem.” He actually liked watching her. But if he stared at her any longer, thinking about how much he wanted to pull her close, to kiss her before entering the house, it was going to take a whole lot more than an evening breeze to cool him off.
They walked together, meeting up with the kids at the front door, which was flanked by large pots of colorful flowers.
Out of habit, Toby took care to wipe his boots, just as he’d asked the children to do.
“My mom always made a big deal about us coming inside with muddy feet.” He chuckled as he reached for the doorknob to let them all into the house. “I guess some habits are hard to break.”
Toby’s mom, with her silver hair pulled into a bun and dressed in her usual stretch-denim jeans and a pale blue sweatshirt, greeted them in the foyer. She gave Toby a warm embrace, then took the time to address each of the kids.
“Now, don’t you look pretty, Kylie. Look at those yellow ribbons in your hair. And my goodness. What in the world have you stuffed in that backpack?”
“Toys to show baby Piper. Is she here?”
Jeanne Marie placed a hand on Kylie’s head and smiled. “She certainly is. Aunt Stacey just gave her some bananas and peaches for a snack, which she’s washing off her face and hands now. Why don’t you go into the kitchen and see if she’s ready to play.”
“Oh, good,” Kylie said, as she dashed off.
“And you boys are in for a big treat,” Jeanne Marie told Brian and Justin. “Grandpa Deke fixed the rungs to the tree house and gave it a new coat of paint yesterday. And when Uncle Galen saw what he’d done, he attached a rope swing to one of those sturdy ole branches. You probably ought to go check it out.”
“Cool,” Brian said, as both boys hurried off.
Well done, Toby thought. His mother adored the kids, but it was plain to see that she had something up her sleeve. She’d sent them off happily so she could devote her full attention to Angie and to the interrogation process.
Now, with the children out of the way, she welcomed Angie with a warm shake of the hand. “I’m so glad you could join us. Toby tells me how helpful you’ve been to him this past week.”
“It’s been my pleasure. The kids are great. And in all honesty, Toby’s so good with them, I’m not sure he even needs my help at all.”
“Don’t let her downplay her efforts,” Toby said. “She’s been awesome, whether it’s playing beauty salon with Kylie or planning a make-it-yourself pizza night or watching a movie under the stars. And I would have really been up a creek yesterday without her.”
“You don’t say.” His mom smiled, those blue eyes glimmering. “I’ll tell you what, Toby. Why don’t you check out that tree house and make sure Galen secured that swing right, while I take Angie into the kitchen. Since she’s such a good helper, I’m going to rope her into helping the girls and I finish up with the burger fixings.”
And just like a mama fox, Jeanne Marie had dispensed with Toby.
He could argue and insist that Angie stick close to his side, he supposed. But Angie was a big girl and had proved that she could hold her own. Besides, he wanted to check out that old fort he and his brothers used to play in. And on top of that, he trusted his mom and his sisters not to go overboard.
So he took his leave, walking out to the backyard, where his own interrogation undoubtedly awaited.
* * *
Angie followed Toby’s mother out to the kitchen. She’d always liked the woman, but then, who in town didn’t?
Jeanne Marie might come across as plain and simple, but there was more to her than met the eye. She had a quick wit, a gentle spirit and a kind heart. She also loved her husband and children dearly and was fiercely devoted to them.
Since working at the Superette, Angie had picked up on all of that. She’d even found herself a bit envious of the family’s closeness. How could she not be?
She’d always wanted to be part of a big, happy family, but she’d been an only child. She and her daddy had been close, but he’d died five years ago.
Now that Angie was an adult, her mom sought the closeness they’d never quite had before. But Doris Edwards was so determined to make Angie into the woman she wanted her to be that it was easier to avoid her, which was sad.
“I brought some brownies,” Angie said, holding out the platter of chocolaty squares covered in caramel frosting and toffee pieces.
“You didn’t need to do that,” Jeanne Marie said, as she led Angie through the large-but-cozy living room. “But it was awfully nice of you. I try to have plenty for everyone to eat, but I have to admit, this family can really put away the desserts. So I doubt you’ll have anything to take home except a few crumbs.”
When they reached the kitchen, Angie saw Piper sitting in
