Sean looked at his twin.
“I was only doing my brotherly duty. Liam needs something to keep his mind off his tragic love life.”
“It’s hardly a tragedy,” Liam said indignantly. “My girlfriend left me for someone else. It happens all the time.”
Matthew opened his mouth to say something, but Sean cut him off. “Time to get changed. We have to be back at the ranch in an hour. Otherwise, Ashley will get suspicious when we’re not there for the family barbecue.”
That was enough to supercharge everyone into action. The last thing they wanted was to spoil Matthew’s wedding day surprise. Even if he had managed to insult most of them at some point this afternoon.
The closer Beckydrove to the Gray family ranch, the more nervous she became. The unexpected invitation from Amy had sent her into a tailspin of uncertainty. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t met most of Sean’s family before; she’d even met his mom and dad a few times when they’d come into Happy Petals or helped at the fundraisers for the animal shelter.
She tried to pinpoint what was worrying her, but nothing made sense.
“Are we nearly there?” Mary asked from the back seat.
“It won’t be too much longer.”
“Do you think Sean will let me feed the animals in the barn?”
“You’ll have to ask him when we arrive. Catherine and Toby might have already done it.”
“I hope not.”
Becky glanced in the rearview mirror. Mary had turned her head to look through the side window. In profile, she looked so much like Jamie. They both had the same small, turned-up nose and the same stubborn chin. Just thinking about him made an image of his mother fill her with dread.
She hadn’t heard from Edith since Monday. Adam was sympathetic when she’d told him about the unexpected visit, but he hadn’t offered her any comforting advice. As much as Becky could work out, if she stood in the way of Edith visiting her granddaughter, it could make Becky’s case a lot more difficult to support.
So, for now, she’d keep Mary close, warn her school not to let anyone apart from herself and Molly pick her up, and ignore any requests from Edith for school play tickets.
Turning on her indicator, she slowly drove into the Gray family ranch. It felt good to be here, good to put her issues to one side for the night.
As they passed the bison grazing in the pasture, she was tempted to remind Mary not to say anything about a wedding. But, if she mentioned it, it might make her more likely to say something. “There’s Sean’s red barn.”
The excitement inside the truck ratcheted up a notch. “I can’t wait to see Henrietta. Do you think her baby goats are still with her?”
“Sean didn’t say they’d been moved to another ranch.”
“I’ll ask, just in case.”
For such a young child, Mary could be incredibly determined. “Sean’s mom and dad will be here.”
“Will Sally be here, too?”
“She will.” Sean’s sister had taken on superhero status since Mary discovered she volunteered at the animal shelter. It was just as well Mary was only six. If she were older, she’d probably want to be a volunteer, too.
Becky parked in front of Nathan and Amy’s home and turned off the engine.
The screen door flew open and Catherine and Toby ran down the veranda steps. “Mary!” they cried in unison. “Come and see Frank and Mildred.”
In two seconds flat, Mary threw off her seatbelt and was out of the truck.
“Don’t climb into the loft,” Becky said.
“I won’t.” Without a backward glance, Mary raced after her friends.
So much for keeping her close. At least when she was with Catherine and Toby, she wouldn’t be talking about any wedding discussions she might have overheard.
“You made it.” Sean came down the steps and held her door open.
