CHAPTER ELEVEN
When Ivy mentioned having a lot of relatives, Nash thought he knew what she meant given the number of fosters who had lived at the Bennett house over the years. He hadn’t had a clue.
No wonder the town was named Quinn Valley. The Quinn family made up most of the population. Everywhere he turned at the Fourth of July picnic, he ran into one. Sometimes literally with the kids running around playing tag but with squirt guns.
Gertrude and Harley Quinn were gracious hosts. Both were glowing after Betsy, one of their granddaughters, was proposed to by her boyfriend, Knox, a short time ago.
Nash, however, couldn’t keep everyone straight or who was who because of all the spouses and significant others. But he remembered some of what Ivy had told him as she introduced him to everyone.
The oldest son, Harvey, and his wife, Charity, lived on the ranch with his parents. They had five kids. Rhodes, who would take over the ranch, Betsy, Georgia, Jessie, and Cami. Next was Libby, a Quinn, and Randall McIver, who had five children: Andrew, Heather, Katie, Alyssa, and Dusty, though Nash couldn’t remember which of them were actually at the picnic today. That was the same for all the Quinn branches.
Ivy’s branch followed. He’d met her mom, Marcia, and her friend, Harry, who were pleasant but not overtly so. None of Ivy’s siblings appeared happy to see Nash, so he’d kept his distance. That hadn’t stopped Carter from telling Nash that he better not hurt Ivy or be using her for her songs. He wasn’t offended, not much anyway, but he liked knowing Ivy had a loving and protective family.
After them came Bob, his wife, April Lynn, and their five kids: Bobling, a Marine and away probably to hide from that nickname, Roxane, Renae, Raina, and Riley. Finally, there was Harold and Irene, both accountants. All five of their kids were in the medical profession: Brooke, Joel, Robyn, Travis—who didn’t seem that surprised Nash was with Ivy—and Vicki.
As night fell, everyone watched the guys set off fireworks.
Nash had his arm around Ivy and held a soda in his other hand. “This is nice.”
A fountain of golden sparks appeared much to the delight of the kids, who watched with wide eyes.
“You can join the pyromaniacs if you’d like,” Ivy whispered.
“I’d rather stay here with you.”
She inhaled deeply. He took that as a good sign.
“Having fun?” she asked.
“I’ll answer the same way I have the last four times you’ve asked.” He kissed her quick on the lips. “Yes, I’m having a great time.”
Some purple and pink sparks flew. Someone gasped.
“I’m sorry to keep asking. It’s just…” She bit her lip.
“What?”
“I’ve never brought anyone to a family event.”
His chest swelled with pride. “I’m honored.”
She grinned. “You should be.”
Good. Ivy was more like herself. “How about you? Having a good time?”
“I’m so happy you’re here.” She stared up at him. Even though it was dark, her eyes lit up. “Thanks for coming.”
Joy radiated from her. It made the sideward glances and glares he’d endured from her brothers and a few male cousins worth it. “There’s no place I’d rather be. I like your family.”
He took a sip of soda.
“They’re the best even if my brothers are overprotective.”
“They love you.”
She nodded. “I told everyone to be nice to you. No photos or autographs. I also said what’s happening on social media is off-limits for discussion. I’m being an ostrich. I haven’t seen any of it and don’t want to know what’s out there.”
“Thank you for telling them that.” Nash had misjudged her. She was much stronger than she appeared. “You’re smart. Being an ostrich is good. Especially in the music business.”
