They spent time in the kitchen, him cooking, and her watching since he declined her every offer to help. Just as the bacon came out of the oven, the doorbell rang.
Reggie frowned.
“Want me to get it?”
“Yeah, would you?”
She hurried to the door and opened it. “Hello?”
An older man and two pretty women who all looked like Reggie stood at the door. The older woman, likely in her mid-thirties, wore braids in her hair and smiled widely at the sight of Maggie.
The man grinned, his gaze more appreciation than humor. “Hello there. Is Reggie in?”
“Sure. Um, hold on.”
The woman wearing a cute skirt and floral tank top muttered, “That liar.” She fluffed her hair, looking like a supermodel.
“I knew it. Not feeling good, my ass.” The woman with braids had muscular arms and wore a pair of athletic shorts and a Nike shirt.
Maggie wanted to let them in but felt awkward since it was Reggie’s place. “Reggie, you have visitors.”
“I told the guys I’d see them…” He paused and stopped right behind her. “Oh, er, hi, Dad. Nadia, Lisa.”
Everyone stared at one another, his sisters with glee as they looked from her to Reggie, and his father with clear amusement.
“Son, you think we might come in?” His dad held up the dish he’d been carrying. “I brought more cobbler for you, since you’re not feeling so well.”
Maggie frowned and turned to Reggie. “You’re sick?”
“Sick of telling the truth, maybe,” his buff sister said with a snicker.
“Nadia.” Reggie wiped his hand over his face. “Hell. Come on in.” He pulled Maggie back from the door and sighed. Loudly.
“Where’s Frank?” Nadia asked. “I hear him, but I don’t…” She saw Frank and Emily dash by the open back door, both girl and dog racing as if for a finish line. “Emily?”
Maggie blinked. “You know my daughter?”
“We video chatted.” Nadia smiled, and Maggie saw Reggie in her grin. “Hi there. Since my little brother has forgotten his manners, I’m Nadia, his sister.” They shook hands.
Lisa held hers out. “And I’m Lisa, his other sister. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Maggie. It’s so nice to meet you too.” Maggie smiled, not understanding why Reggie looked so ill at ease. She turned to his father. “And you must be the jazz man. Word has it you’re quite a dancer and know all about romance.”
His dad grinned, shoved the dish at Reggie, then took her hand between both of his. “You can call me Harry. It’s lovely to meet you, Maggie.”
She smiled. “You too. From what I’ve heard about you from Reggie, I like you already.”
Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she felt at home with him immediately. Odd, because she normally didn’t take to men she’d just met, but he had a way about him. A charisma now missing from his scowling son.
“Would you like to meet Emily, my daughter?”
“I surely would.” Harry stopped at the back door and gestured for her to precede him.
Maggie called to Emily, who, upon seeing Harry and his daughters who followed, stopped playing with Frank and rushed over to meet the new adults in the yard.
“Hi.” Emily smiled brightly. “I know you.”
Harry bent low and held out a hand to Emily, who daintily shook it.
