Finally?So Knox had mentioned her to them?Nice.
His sister, Ashlee, shot Knox a grin before offering him a high five.“Not bad, big brother.You’re doing all right for yourself.”
Knox laughed, caught his sister’s hand, and pulled her in close—only to muss her hair, which had her swatting at him.
Jacob, his twenty-one-year-old brother, leaned in to say, “If Knox doesn’t work out, I’m available.”
“Not in this lifetime.”Knox shoved him back, and when they started to roughhouse, Jenny smacked at them both.
“Behave yourselves.You’ll have Laylee thinking we don’t have any manners.”
“Actually,” Laylee said, “I already think you’re all wonderful.”
“Oh?”Jenny asked.“Has Knox told you about us?”
“Yes, but he didn’t need to.Knox is pretty incredible, and I figure that could only happen if he had great parents.”
Smug, Knox put his arm around her and led the way to an informal dining room.“Told you she was smart.”
That was confirmation he had spoken about her to his parents, and now Laylee wished she knew every single thing he’d said.
“If he told you about the pharmacy robbery, well, I know I overreacted.And that whole fiasco with the cat in the creek … I admit I fell apart a little, but I was so scared for the cat, and—”
They all grinned at her.
Ashlee said, “We think you’re wonderful, too.”
That was how the day started and continued.
Nolan, she found, was a real stand-up guy.Plainspoken and funny, especially when he told stories about his kids.He had Laylee laughing out loud several times.He was also no-nonsense and courteous in an old-school way, especially toward his wife.
When Knox’s mom went to the kitchen to get the food, his dad jumped up to help—and then so did Knox’s brother and sister and Knox himself.
It was amusing, especially since Jenny took their solicitude in stride.
After a few instructions, she left the chore to her husband and kids and sat down beside Laylee to “get better acquainted.”
“Knox told us you were a model, but I still didn’t expect you to be so perfect.”
“Oh, no, I’m not,” Laylee protested.“You should have seen me this morning when Knox and I first woke up—” Too late, she realized what she was saying and who she was saying it to.Her mouth snapped shut as her face got hot.“I mean, I, um …”
Jenny laughed.“Moms are very worldly when it comes to their children, believe me.”She added in a whisper, “Plus, I know their dad.”
Laylee snickered.“Sometimes my mouth gets ahead of my common sense.Honestly, though, usually my dates don’t bring me home to meet their families.”
“You’re more than just a date though, right?”
She bit her lip.“Maybe?We haven’t really discussed the future.”
Jenny didn’t put her on the spot—at least not more than she already had.“Now you know what you’re in for.We’re a close family and I don’t want that to change, so if I ever make you uneasy, please just let me know.”
“You couldn’t,” Laylee promised.Then thought to add, “Thank you.”
As Nolan came in carrying a big dish, he said, “You’re in for a treat, Laylee.Jenny made her famous ham and cheese casserole.”
“It smells delicious.”
“If you like it,” Ashlee said, “have Knox make it for you.Mom made sure we could all cook.”She set a fruit platter on the table.
