Tony scowled.“Allholidays are special in my family. Imissed Easter last year because of airport delays, and I’mstill hearing about it.”
Gina nodded with great delight. “Grampy says that’swhat happens when you become a big shot. Uncle Dave saysyou probably were having too much fun, and Uncle Frank says—”
“That’s enough,” Tony warned.
“How many uncles do you have?” Claire asked Gina,sinking herself into one of the extra chairs.
“Six,” Gina answered. “And two aunts... that aren’tmarried to the uncles, that is. I keep telling my dad that I’mdeprived being an only child. I’mallalone, you know.”
Claire didn’t bother to hide her grin as she turned to Tony.“You’re right. You’re in bigger trouble than I am.”
“You have no idea.”
“See, we all get together for every holiday,” Gina instructed Claire, as if it were really important. “That way allthe aunts and uncles can tell each other what they’re doingwrong with their lives, and all us kids can fight over whogets to sit at the big table, and then we all throw pies.”
Claire blinked politely. “Throw pies.”
Tony nodded. “Only after we’ve had all we want, ofcourse. It’s a time-honored tradition.”
“You mean your familydoesn’tthrow pies?” Gina askedwith transparent sincerity.
For just a moment, Claire’s smile faltered. She seemed todraw back a little, as if someone had stepped too close toher.
“No,” she said, climbing back to her feet. “I’m afraidI’ve missed that honor. How about some tea and a few ofPeaches’s specialties?”
Tony found himself wanting to reach out again, and he didn’t know why. He wondered if he’d ever find out.
“Peaches?” Gina countered.
Both Claire and Tony managed a smile this time.
“Trust me,” Tony promised. “It’ll be fun.”
* * *
Itwasfun, Claire thought later that evening as she listened to the kids destroy her kitchen. She’d always dreamedof having a full house, the kind of joyous riot she’d watched on “The Waltons” week after week, everybody in the housecalling their good-nights and elbowing for room at thekitchen table.
Well, it looked as though that was what she was going toget tonight, at least. Gina had blown into her house like abright breeze and immediately mesmerized Jess, who taggedafter her like a puppy. Johnny had taken one look at theaddition to the household and promptly forgotten just whyhe was so against having Tony stay in the first place, andPete went right to gymnastics and nonsense verse to claimher attention.
The four of them were allegedly cleaning the dishes they’dfilled with Tony’s lasagna, although with the constantlaughter and regular outbursts of “Oh, no!” Claire figuredshe was going to be the one cleaning after they were through.
“It’s something to get used to,” she apologized to Tonyas they pored over his preliminary drawings on the oldcherrywood dining room table.
When Tony looked up in some confusion, Claire realizedhe hadn’t even noticed the commotion.
His grin was bright and easy. “Wait’ll they get wound up.”
Claire couldn’t imagine. Her parents’ house had been soquiet. So proper.
“You don’t have a big family, do you?” he asked, stillamused.
“No.” It was a simple answer that made her jealous ofhim. “One brother, but he’s a lot older.”
Tony nodded, his eyes contemplative. Claire thought howbeautiful they were. How healing.
“Takes a lot of the fun out of pie throwing.”
“I imagine.”
