“Oh, come on. They’ve been exposed to tons of new people in the past few days alone, and it won’t be any better by the wedding next weekend. JD’s probably doing them a favor right now by helping them build new immunities,” I offer reassuringly.
“Right, in addition to all the bacteria that’s been growing in that stagnant water Father Conrad just poured over their heads,” he mutters.
I huff out a laugh. “It’s Holy water, silly.”
“Let me guess, the priest’s blessings give it antimicrobial properties?” he asks, cocking an eyebrow at me.
“Nah, that kind of miracle’s reserved for the consecrated hosts,” I retort. He shoots me another skeptical glare, making me laugh again. “It’s not like they’re drinking the water or getting kissed on the face, Landry. I’m sure they’ll be fine.”
He frowns but doesn’t say anything else until a hand appears on his shoulder, and he jolts to attention.
“Hey, there, Landry,” we hear Dr. Broussard’s soft voice call from behind us. I’m slightly flattered when he tips his head in a smile and adds, “Hello, Miss Daisy.” I didn’t think he’d remember my name after only meeting me once.
“Hey, Doc,” Landry turns and reaches back for a reluctant handshake, and we both trade greetings with Mrs. Broussard as she slides into the pew beside her husband.
“We didn’t want to impose, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to hang around after Mass and get a peek at those beautiful nieces and that adorable nephew of yours,” Mrs. Broussard explains.
I stifle a smirk when Landry’s nostrils flare at the mention of JD and Tenley’s baby as his nephew.
“I know you’re enjoying having those baby girls so close,” Dr. Broussard directs at Landry before turning to me. “Dr. Reed’s been scooping up all the brand-new patients before I can get to them. If I didn’t know any better, I’d tell you to watch out. He might be coming down with a case of baby fever.”
My cheeks heat. “Oh, well, um … we’re not …” I purposefully leave the statement unfinished, hoping they form their own conclusions. I’m sure Landry wouldn’t appreciate letting the Broussards go on thinking we’re making babies together, but I also don’t want to back myself into a corner and be forced to choose between lying in church or divulging the details of our secret marriage of convenience.
Dr. Broussard’s eyebrows draw in together, though he’s still smiling. “But I thought …”
“Like I said before, we’re roommates,” Landry clarifies, his voice flat.
“My brother and Landry lived together in college,” I volunteer awkwardly. “And now we live together, here. In Camellia. Well, nottogether, obviously, but in the same house.”
“I suppose your brother can rest assured you’re in good hands, then,” Dr. Broussard replies, his smile looking less genuine now.
We make small talk for another minute before they excuse themselves, and Landry goes back to supervising while the rest of his family takes turns posing for photos with the girls in their frilly white dresses.
“Go ahead, I’ll take your picture,” I urge him forward after a while. He drags his feet for a second before he steps in to take Charley from Lilley’s arms, and Loren smiles tentatively at him before she turns for me to get a few photos of them together.
Loren waves me over then, and Blake hands Penny to me before I realize what’s going on. “Give me your phone,” she demands.
“Oh, you don’t have to?—”
“I want a picture of the girls with theirN’oncleLan and their honoraryTanteDaisy.”
She smirks, seemingly pleased with herself as she takes a few steps back and lines up the shot. I peek at Landry from the corner of my eye. He’s pressing his lips into a hard line and looking mighty uncomfortable again.
“Smile, Landry,” Loren orders, and he lets out a quiet groan before he forces a softer expression.
I turn to him after Loren lowers my phone, his frown already returning. “Thanks for sharing this with me,” I whisper quietly.
“You’re already here,” he mumbles, and my smile falters for a second. But I lift the corners of my mouth again, because I don’t want to pile more guilt onto his shoulders. I’m sure he’s only been including me in everything because he feels obligated to keep me around, even though I genuinely enjoy spending time with him and his family.
But he surprises me by reaching out to stop me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it came out.” He pauses and shakes his head. “I know how much you love the girls and wouldn’t have wanted to miss their baptism.”
“It’s okay. I’m sure you’re getting tired of having me tag along all the time.”
He shrugs. “You help keep me in line.”
The butterflies in my stomach get a kick out of that one, and I barely manage to stop myself from breaking out into a full grin as we walk back toward the pews.
“All right, we’re heading over to Mom’s,” I hear Tenley say as we approach, and everyone begins gathering their things.
