He purposefully kept calling Sawyer and Benson, who were seven and six, by each other's names to give them a hard time. He did the same with four-year-old Ally and three-year-old Katie just to rile them up. They were so cute when they got mad.
He'd only seen two-year-old Mason twice and eighteen-month-old Brock once since they were born. They had bothdoubled in size since the last time he saw them. The realization of all he'd missed filled his chest with a sharp ache.
He loved serving in the Army, but he hated missing out on so much.
Matt looked at Damon. "Daniel said the two of you volunteered to help Luke plan Gabe's bachelor party."
"More like voluntold by Paige."
Heads bobbed around the table.
"So, what are we doing?" Steven asked.
"You guys are invited too?" Damon's gaze jumped back and forth between Steven and Matt.
"Gabe invited a few friends and coworkers from Pasco, but he's not sure if they'll be able to make it. And since he hasn't had a chance to make many friends here in Providence yet, Paige informed all of us male cousins that we are invited." Steven laughed as he buttered another roll.
"Informed?" Matt said. "More like threatened us if we didn't show up to support Gabe."
"It wasn't that bad." Maria slapped Matt's arm playfully before grinning at Damon. "But you know Paige. She's hard to say no to."
Yes, she is.
That's why he was walking Gabe's sister down the aisle.
"So what's the plan for the bachelor party?" Matt asked again.
"I haven't had a chance to talk to Daniel yet, but since none of us drink, and stripp?—"
"Don't say it!" Isabella and Maria said in unison, giving him a collective glare then looking at the children’s table.
Damon laughed. "I was going to say since...exotic dancersare...off the table. We'll most likely go shooting and play some flag football."
"Yes!" Steven cheered. "It's been far too long since we've all hung out together."
"I love the idea of some friendly competition," Matt added.
They continued to talk about everything from sports to baby names for Matt and Maria's baby, and the sale of Mom's diner and Dad's repair shop last year. The latter intensified the ache in Damon's chest. He didn't begrudge his mom for wanting to retire, and his dad had been gone for five years. It was time to let the shop go.
When he signed the consent forms last year, agreeing to remove the two businesses from the family trust, he was fine with selling them. But now that he was home, it hit him harder than he expected.
Seeing a new sign in front of the repair shop when he drove into town Friday evening had been like a sucker punch to the gut. Knowing he'd see the beautiful woman he met in the elevator again was the only thing that kept him from pulling over and grieving for a moment.
Grace.
She intrigued him. He enjoyed spending the day with her yesterday. So much so that he didn't want the day to end. Which was saying something, because he loved spending time with his family.
They'd hit it off as they talked and laughed all afternoon. He was so confident she'd tell him, that he asked her about the first time she kissed a stranger in an elevator. For a moment, he'd thought she'd spill her secrets, but then dark shadows flitted through her eyes, and she clammed up.
Just when he thought he was getting to know Grace, he realized she was a mystery. One he couldn't wait to solve.
"Earth to Damon."
"What?" Damon looked up from his plate to see all eyes staring at him. Warmth crept up his neck.
"You okay?" The lines of worry creasing Steven's forehead made Damon realize his oldest brother had tried more than once to get his attention.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Damon said. "What were we talking about?"
