“Yeah. He has help with them, though. Joel’s thing is his horses mostly. You’ll get to see them after dinner.”
I nodded, still looking around. That was when I spotted the other cars. “All of those can’t belong to your father?” I counted five different vehicles. Two of which were black Suburbans with tinted windows. The type that looked reserved strictly for security purposes. There was also a motorcycle among the bunch.
“The bike belongs to Ace. Gabe’s car is the dark blue one, though he’s not here tonight. The Suburbans are probably my cousins and uncle’s families.”
I frowned and wrinkled my brows at the same time we came to a stop behind the sleek looking motorcycle. “I thought we were having dinner with your father?”
“Did I forget to mention a few other family members would be here?” He raised an eyebrow. “Like you forgot to mention requesting that report.” His head dipped to the envelope that was still in my lap.
I gave him the stink eye, but he ignored it and climbed out of the truck. I placed the envelope in the window’s visor to keep it in the car while we were at dinner, and grabbed the bottle of wine. Micah moved to open the door for me.
Even though I was slightly pissed at him, I still felt my body warm at the touch of my hand in his.
“How many people are here exactly?” I asked, staring ahead at the front door right as it opened.
“Get your ass in here, boy,” a tall, older man with grey hair and beard called. He was older but far from old. He was tall and broad and imposing.
“That has to be Joel.”
Micah chuckled, taking my free hand into his. “What gave it away?”
“You mean aside from the fact that you’re his twin?”
His eyes narrowed, but mirth shone in them.
“Not the first time you’ve been told you look like your father?”
Micah snorted. “Hardly.”
“Late as usual,” Joel griped as Micah stepped onto the porch, embracing his father in a bear hug.
Stepping back, Micah turned to me. “Joel, this is Jodi.”
I stuck out my hand as his dark brown gaze assessed me. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Don’t say that too loud, sweetie. I’ve got a reputation to maintain.” Joel laughed with a deep rumble as he gave me a wink.
“Right. Besides, nothing’s really pleasurable until you’ve met me.”
Micah groaned beside me at the same time Joel moved aside, revealing another one of his sons. This one was smiling with a glint of mischievousness in those intriguing eyes of his.
“You have to be Ace,” I said, knowing this because Micah had told me a little about his younger brother.
His smile grew, and those grey eyes of his sparkled. “He’s told you about me. Or does my reputation precede me?” He moved forward with his hand extended. Before I could reach his hand, Micah’s palm pressed square against his brother’s broad chest.
“Ace, I love you with all my heart, but I’ll crack your fucking skull.”
Surprised, I looked up at Micah, having never heard that particular rumble in his voice before.
Ace didn’t seem to be perturbed by it at all as he cracked up laughing. “Joel, do you see this?” He smiled as he stared at their father. “I gotta call Gabe later and tell him about this.”
“Damn fool. I’ve got to go check on the steaks,” Joel said, excusing himself as he moved back inside of the house.
“I didn’t give him the wine.” I looked up at Micah.
“Later,” he commented as if still not understanding why bringing it was necessary.
“Let me see if I can get Gabe on the phone,” Ace insisted, still smirking.
