Rory gets out and helps Alec. It’s awkward for him to get out of the tall car with his arm.
I slide my phone into my pocket, in case Jace or the twins call and get out.
Luc tells us to hurry up before grabbing Rory’s hand and running off. I shake my head and grin.
I’m surprised when Alec’s hand brushes mine before he enlaces our fingers. I glance across at him but his eyes are firmly on Rory and Luc. I smile to myself like a lovesick fool.
We get around to the front porch as Luc and Rory are flying up them. Rory’s eyes are here, there and everywhere—not staying at one place too long.
She walks to the end of the porch, looking out on the stunning view. Luc’s arms curl around her, his head resting on her shoulder.
Luc says something to her and she nods, leaning her head against his.
Alec and I join them. Despite it having last rained a week ago, according to the contractors, the grass is still lush and green. There’s bush and scrub off to the side but the rolling hills are spotted with cattle.
I pick up on the voices in the house and shake my head. Alec chuckles. I roll my eyes.
“Come on,” I murmur.
I open the screen door and poke my head in. The workers sitting at the counter look up with wide eyes, forks halfway into their mouths.
“Mama,” I drawl, “nothin’s gonna get done if you’re feeding em’ your cooking all day.”
My mother squeals, her head whipping around and throws down the tea towel she’s holding.
“My baby!” My mother wraps her arms around me.
“Mama!” I groan. Rory and Luc laugh quietly behind me. Alec attempts to pull his hand away but I don’t let him.
“Alec.” My mother puts her hands on Alec’s face. She looks at Alec’s arm with sadness before she focuses on our conjoined hands.
Mama puts her hands on her hips giving me a stern look. “You do what I told you, boy?”
“Workin’ on it, Mama,” I murmur when Alec shifts his feet. Thankfully she glances past Alec and sees Rory.
When Alec tries to pull away this time, I let him go.
“You must be Rory. I’m Alice, Dominic’s mama.” My mother’s hands go to Rory’s face like they did with Alec. She looks up and down Rory.
Mama makes an approving noise, her hands shifting to Rory’s hips. “Ah, perfect child bearing hips! Helen said she calls the first-born but I think we can come to an arrangement. A friend of my son’s is a friend of mine.” Mama’s hands pat Rory's waist before releasing her.
Rory looks at me unsure whether to take Mama seriously. Unfortunately…she is.
“Mama,” I scold, “leave Rory alone.” I kiss Rory’s cheek and she shifts closer to me like I can protect her from my crazy mother.
“Luc!” My mama makes a point of pulling Luc into her arms.
Mum takes her role of being a second mother to Luc very seriously, starting with a motherly hug. Luc ducks, having to lean down to hug my mother who’s at a similar height to Rory.
“How are you, sweetie?” Mama asks softly.
“I’m good, Alice,” Luc murmurs.
The contractors slink past us. Kellan, the lead hand tells me to come find him when I want a rundown.
“Where’s Dad?” I ask Mama who rolls her chocolate eyes, her frizzes shaking on her shoulders in light brunette waves.
“Those darn heifers got out again. I told that man, don’t go buyin’ fence jumpers!” My mother’s drawl deepens as she gets riled up.
