The doorbell chimed.
“I’ll get that,” Amy said.
I dropped the pan into the soapy water, my hands suddenly shaking. “I’ve got it.”
I dashed across the living room. Flung the door open. “You’re here!”
“I told you I would come.” Eric cupped my face in his large, warm, rough hands. I caught my breath. He smelled of grass and sweat and cold. He kissed my forehead, then my nose, then my lips, kissing me as if his sons weren’t standing right there on the porch, as if my family weren’t watching from inside.
I curled my hands around his thick wrists and held on, kissing him back with my heart on my lips.
“Who is this?” my father asked.
I broke away, feeling my face flush. Taking Eric’s hand, I led himinto the living room, nearly bursting with pride and love and worry. “This is Eric. Eric Bhaer. And his sons. Bryan.” I tugged him forward. “And this is Alec.”
They murmured greetings and shook hands with the awkward grace of the young.
Phee craned her neck to look at them. “You’re very...”
I stiffened.Please, please, don’t say something horrible.
“Tall,” Phee said.
“They’re growing boys, Aunt Phee.” I grinned at them. “Hungry?”
Bryan nodded, smiling faintly.
Alec flashed a grin like his father’s. “Starved.”
John stepped forward. “Right this way. I hear you play soccer,” he said, leading them back to the kitchen.
I loved my sister’s husband.
Phee switched her attention to Eric, taking in his dark skin and heavy stubble beard, the tattoos under his pushed-up sleeves. “What is it you do, Mr., ah...”
“Eric,” he said pleasantly. “I cook.”
“He’s a cook,” she remarked to no one in particular.
“He’s a chef, Aunt Phee,” Meg said.
“I worked at Eric’s restaurant in New York,” I said. “Gusto.”
She ignored us. “And what brings you to North Carolina?” she asked Eric.
“Soccer tournament,” I said at the same moment he said, “Jo.”
My heart jolted.
“I’m with Jo,” he repeated, holding my gaze. His eyes crinkled in that way he had of smiling without smiling, and something moved in my chest.
I grabbed his hand again. “Let me show you around.”
Phee raised her eyebrows. “I would think the tour of the farm can wait.”
“It actually can’t,” I said.I can’t.
“Well, really, I...”
