brother, Garrett, a much larger, male version of Amber with the same dark hair and blue eyes, also happened to be his lieutenant at the fire station. Adam and Shohn were her cousins, and Gray was a cousin’s husband. At least her father chose to join the elders near the grill. He could be thankful to be spared the scrutiny of her uncles Sawyer, Gabe and Jordan, and her much older cousin Casey.
When the others were close enough, Noel stuck out his hand, saying to Garrett, “Congratulations.” The sooner he got this over with, the happier he’d be.
Garrett smiled with evil delight as he accepted the gesture, saying to his cousins, “Notice how he managed to spit that out without flinching?”
“Manned right up,” Adam said.
Shohn slowly nodded. “He’s still a little pale, though, don’t you think?”
“I’m short on sleep,” Noel said for the umpteenth time, even though he despised whining.
“So you like kids?” Garrett asked, then continued before he could answer, saying, “Good to know. Maybe I’ll name you as a godparent—”
When Noel started choking again, the men all laughed.
Shohn sized him up critically. “Maybe you should break him in with some babysitting first.”
“Me?” Noel asked, appalled at the idea. “What about you? You guys love kids!”
That took care of their smiles, turning them all solemn in a heartbeat.
Silence stretched out until Adam asked, his tone far too serious, “And you don’t?”
He didn’t like being cornered and wouldn’t tolerate it. “I don’t know kids. Never been around them.”
“What about siblings?” Shohn asked.
“No.”
“Aw, so he was an only child,” Garrett said, mocking him in a way he found far more comfortable than the solemn scrutiny. “Must give you the willies being around a family as large as ours.”
It did, not that he’d admit it. “I think of it as a party.” True enough. A weekly freaking party. “And I don’t get the willies.”
“A party,” Shohn repeated. “Like a holiday...or maybe a wedding?”
“No, wait,” Adam said. “Parties end, right? Weddings do not. So—”
“No, they don’t.” They were having a fine time poking fun at him, but he’d had enough. “Did you guys want something?”
“Just to make sure you’re okay,” Adam said.
“You really did go pale,” Shohn added. “Like someone had given you a...scare?”
“Didn’t know you just needed a nap,” Garrett added. “There’s a lounge chair over there where the women are sitting if you want to rest up a bit.”
Noel opened his mouth—and a badminton birdie hit Garrett in the shoulder, making him jump.
They all turned to see Tucker Turley, the sheriff, scowling at their cousin Kady, who tried to look innocent even while smothering her laugh.
Tucker said to the guys, “She has a good arm. At least, I don’t think she was aiming for his head.”
Kady waved her racket. “Stop picking on Noel before I tell Amber, and come play instead.”
Garrett, wearing a huge grin now that he had a new focus, had already picked up the birdie and was striding their way. Shohn followed along, promising payback. Adam called out, “Kady’s on my team,” and he took off, too.
That left only Gray and he seemed in no hurry to leave.
Noel glanced at him in warning. Gray wasn’t related to Amber except by marriage. Maybe that gave him a different outlook on things.
“It gets easier,” Gray said.
“You think?” Because so far, from Noel’s perspective, it had gotten more difficult. He liked them all. No problem there. But there were so many of them. He’d never known a family the size of hers, at least not where everyone was so close to everyone else, and in everyone’s business, with love passed around without reserve.
They were pushy. And intrusive. And they seldom showed an ounce of discretion when butting in—
“They’re overwhelming, I know. But they mean well.” When Lisa came out of the house carrying a tray, surrounded by three dogs, Gray watched her with a small smile. “They push their way in and refuse to back off. But they’re not judgmental, just protective. And they look out for each other. Amber especially brings it on herself with the way she interfered in all their lives.” He glanced at Noel. “In my life.”
“She enjoys meddling.” But in Amber’s case, it was always well-meaning, and she did have that crazy intuition to guide her, ensuring things turned out well. She’d been instrumental in matching up a lot of couples, Gray and Lisa included.
“That she does,” Gray agreed. “And she’s good at it.” He hesitated. “Except when it comes to you.”
“Me?” Noel scowled. Since Amber was the only woman he wanted, she didn’t need to manipulate him. He’d made that clear to her, but he wouldn’t explain himself to Gray.
“How long have you two been dating now?”
That sounded like a trick question and Noel ran a hand over his face. “Awhile,” he said noncommittally. Dating was such a bland word. At first he and Amber had sparred, each trying to get the upper hand. Then they’d tentatively gotten together—and Noel knew his life would never be the same. They’d fallen into a comfortable, no-demands affair that really worked.
At least it worked for him. Was Amber dissatisfied? Did she want more from him?
If so, she could tell him herself, without the help of her entire family.
“I won’t heckle you the way her brother and cousins do.” Gray pushed away from the tree where he’d been leaning. “Instead I’ll tell it to you straight. Amber is the heart of the family. They all adore her and want to shelter her. If she matters to you, you should think about what Amber wants and plan accordingly.”
Provoked, Noel stiffened. “What the hell is that supposed to—”
But Gray walked away, his gaze snagged on his wife.
To hell with it. Noel dug the keys out of his pocket and started to leave, but at the last minute he went into the house to find Amber first.
She was alone in the kitchen, humming as she arranged condiments on a tray.
Noel soaked up the back view of her, her trim figure in sexy short-shorts that hugged her ass perfectly and a tank top that showcased her tiny waist. He even admired her dark hair in the loose braid and the set of her straight, proud shoulders.
Unable to resist, he stepped up close
