“Hello?” Chad’s deep voice preceded his entry from the dining room. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Uh, yeah. A bit of a storm.”
Chad came to the slim windows beside the doors. “Hey, Summer.”
“Hi, Chad.”
Tom started to push the door closed, then saw lights in the driveway. “Someone else coming?”
“Robin.” Chad squinted through the night. “Yep, that’s her.” He took an umbrella and went out the door.
Tom took off his jacket and hung it on the hooks. “Give me your coat.”
Summer handed him her file and shed her heavy jacket.
“Uncle Tom!”
“Aunt Summer!”
Before he could balance from hanging Summer’s jacket, the Applegate twins landed. Boo wrapped an arm around his leg. “We’ve missed you.”
Lindy, much more sedate, circled Summer’s waist and hugged her. “Yeah, you guys have been strangers.”
“What are you guys now? High school?” Summer teased.
“That much time hasn’t past.” Lindy ever the practical one. “We’re fourth grade, Aunt Summer.”
“You are tall enough to be in high school.”
“Let them in the house, girls.” Bret’s deep voice had them complying. They loved Uncle Bret most of all.
“Dad went out to help Mom. Can we wait?”
Bret strode toward them. “Yes, but let Summer and Tom out of the entry way, and make sure the door gets shut tight after mom and dad get in. Where are the boys?”
“Watching cartoons.”
“Weather shifted, I see.” Bret peered into the dark night, too.
Both girls nodded and put their noses on the screen door window.
“Gotta love Texas,” Summer teased. She took her file from Tom and skirted around the group. “Didn’t realize it was a family party tonight.”
Bret pushed open the swinging kitchen door and let Summer go first. “Technically not, since Helen had a meeting, and Bill went to Amarillo to Christmas shop and isn’t back. Rick and Tara had a holiday thing to attend with the kids.”
Tom followed behind and stared at Meg. She occupied a chair at the counter and was chopping vegetables for the salad. His baby sister glowed, but the little one had taken over Meg’s belly since he’d last seen her.
He went to her side and put his hands on her shoulders. “You look great.”
Meg snorted. “I look pregnant.”
Tom rubbed her shoulders. “You look beautiful. Life is good.” He dropped his hands and put an arm around Summer.
Summer snuggled close, and his heart did a flip. “He’s right, Meg. You look happy and content.”
“Mostly I am, except at four a.m. when this monster decides to be awake and kicking.”
“I can attest to that.” Bret hovered in the door, watching the twins. “I’m going to check the boys. They’re too quiet.”
