Meg playfully scrunched her face and winked at her husband. Of all the cousins, Adam and Meg had been the first to marry and danged if they didn’t look as much in love now as they probably had the day they wed.
The conversation shifted from ancestry to ranch business, to Sadieville business until the most important subject matter came into play—dessert. Aunt Eileen pushed to her feet. “I made blueberry pie.”
“And I brought mimosa cake balls,” Brooke’s wife Toni smiled.
Chairs shifted scraping against the hardwood floor, people stood gathering their dirty dishes, and voices collided calling out for one tasty morsel or the other. Nicole stood, her steps tentative, her expression reminding Ryan of a deer in the headlights. He didn’t have to know much about her and Mike’s family tree to piece together the woman was overwhelmed by the family size.
Taking a second to sidestep his brother, Ryan sidled up beside her. “They’re both delicious, but start with the pie. It’s to die for.”
Nicole blinked then settled her gaze on him. Her voice came out low and gentle. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He considered his next words carefully. “We may be a little overwhelming when gathered, but you can count on any Farraday to have your back.”
A slight smile teased one corner of her mouth. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Now all he had to ask is who was going to have his back when it came to one Nicole Davis?
Chapter Five
The last of the family to leave for the night, Adam’s taillights bounced down the gravel drive. Ryan stood in place until the old Suburban turned under the archway and disappeared completely from view.
“Takes some getting used to.” Quinn appeared beside him, hands shoved in his pockets.
Ryan turned toward the open front door and his brother. “What?”
“This.” Quinn gestured at the empty yard. “The house is so… quiet since everyone’s married and moved out.”
And it was going to get even quieter once Quinn married Eloise and moved to Sadieville. He headed for the kitchen, Quinn trailing behind, he could hear the low murmur of Aunt Eileen and Uncle Sean debating whether or not the Portuguese Princess legend was actually true, punctuated by the rhythmic clink of silverware being put away.
“I should get my bags out of your truck.” Nicole stepped away from the sink where she’d been drying dishes.
“Already done.” Ryan opened the fridge door and grabbed the pitcher of sweet tea. “Want a glass?”
Nicole blinked. “Uh, no thank you, but where’s my bag?”
“In your room.” Aunt Eileen closed the silverware drawer and turned on the burner under the kettle. “Would you like acup? Sean and I like to end a busy day with a quiet cup and a few minutes of peace. The cows wake up early in ranch country.”
“No thank you.” Nicole’s gaze darted toward the front of the house. “Where exactly is my room?”
“Upstairs.”
“I’m staying here?” Her eyes opened so large and wide, Ryan was almost surprised they didn’t pop out of her head.
“Of course. Can’t put you in the bunkhouse with those cowboys. We have plenty of space. You’ll take Grace’s old room.”
“But…”
A simple open palm gesture from his aunt had Nicole swallowing whatever she had been about to say. “There’s no argument. You’ll be more comfortable here at the house. Besides, it will be nice to have more folks around. I miss the days when the place overflowed with family long before and after supper.”
“If y’all will excuse me.” Quinn stretched his arms over his head and did his best to hide a yawn. “It’s been a long day. I’m heading to bed early.”
Everyone nodded but Aunt Eileen was the only one smiling like the Cheshire cat. “Who wants to bet he’s going upstairs to call Eloise?”
“But she just left?” Ryan set his glass on the table and returned the pitcher to the fridge.
“Men,” his aunt muttered. “Just you wait till you fall in love. Then you’ll understand why he’s calling his fiancée only minutes after she walked out the door.”
Much to his chagrin, Nicole stood quietly to the side, biting down on her lower lip in an effort not to laugh.
