“You didn’t mention that to me.” I turned my gaze on Jasper.
“I haven’t had a chance yet. Besides, I wasn’t sure if you’d want to sit outside on the ground and watch an old movie.”
“Sounds like the perfect way to wrap up the weekend.” I stabbed another green bean with my fork. Whatever Mrs. Taylor had used for seasoning was delicious. I made a mental note to ask her later when we had a few minutes alone.
“All right, let’s do it.” Jasper shrugged as his brothers laughed.
“If you think that’s romantic, you ought to check out the apple wine festival, too.” Mr. Taylor had been quiet most of the meal, so it surprised me when he piped up. “That’s where Ann and I met. Seems like only yesterday.”
“Yesterday plus thirty-five years,” Mrs. Taylor said.
I looked on as Jasper’s parents shared a tender glance. That right there was what romance was all about. Falling even more in love with someone after being together thirty-five years. That’s what I was holding out for... the kind of relationship I wanted in my own life.
The rest of the meal passed with good-natured ribbing among the brothers and reminders from Mr. Taylor about chores for the coming week. I hadn’t had a chance to ask Jasper about his family’s business, but it appeared all of them were involved in the pecan orchard to some degree. He’d mentioned the tornado that passed through the month before, and I wondered how much of their business had been lost. Whatever had happened, they seemed to be in good spirits. The fact they had one another must have helped a lot. What would it be like to be surrounded by family? To know that someone always had your back, no matter what was going on?
Hopefully I’d find out for myself someday.
Dinner didn’t end until Jasper and his brothers had emptied every platter of the delicious homemade meal Mrs. Taylor had made. When they were done, I pushed back from the table and started to clear the dishes.
“Oh, you don’t have to help with that, you’re a guest.” Mrs. Taylor took the platter from my hands as I entered the kitchen.
“Thank you for dinner, it was wonderful.” I stood by the counter while Mrs. Taylor rinsed plates and began to stack them into the dishwasher. “Can I help clean up?”
“If you want to, although it’s not necessary. I’ve got these boys trained to help around the house.” As I spoke, Mitchell and Davis came into the kitchen with their arms full of dirty dishes.
“We’ve got this, Mom. Why don’t you and Delilah go relax on the porch for a few minutes,” Davis suggested.
Mrs. Taylor arched a brow. “Now that’s not an offer that comes around very often. Let’s take advantage.” Mrs. Taylor scooped up little Maggie, then linked her arm with mine and led me to two of the rocking chairs that sat on the large wraparound front porch.
I settled into one of them, catching a glimpse of Jasper clearing the table through the dining room window. I didn’t want to admit to myself how much I enjoyed spending time with his family. They were a little overwhelming as a whole, but even I could see the love and respect they held for one another.
“Do I get to sit with you, too?” Abby sprang through the front door and grabbed the arms of another rocker.
“Of course, sweet girl. Us women need to stick together around here, don’t we?” Mrs. Taylor ran her hand over her daughter’s dark brown hair as she bounced her granddaughter on her knee.
“Will you really come speak at my school?” Abby asked.
“As long as it’s okay with your teacher,” I promised. “If you want to check tomorrow, I’d be happy to set up a time if she says yes.”
Abby clapped her hands together. “That would be so much fun. Dad’s been in to talk about pecans, but no one really paid too much attention.”
Mrs. Taylor let out a laugh. “I’m sure they’ll find Delilah’s presentation more interesting and relevant.”
“Hey, Mom, Delilah said she’d teach me to put on makeup, too. Can I try?”
I glanced to Mrs. Taylor. “Only if it’s okay with your mom, remember?”
“I think that would be fine. Poor Abby doesn’t get much girl time with all these boys around. I keep hoping one of them will settle down and find someone special so we’ll have another woman in the group, but so far...” she shook her head.
“Jasper used to bring Adeline around a lot,” Abby said.
Her mother’s head shot up. “Let’s not talk about that right now.”
“Oh, sorry.” Abby frowned for a moment, then began to rock her chair back and forth. “I hoped Lucas would get married when we found out Amanda was going to have a baby, but then she left.”
Mrs. Taylor put her hand over her daughter’s. “Lucas will find someone. Right now he needs to focus on Maggie.”
At the sound of her name, Maggie squirmed and reached for Abby. Her aunt picked her up and held the little girl on her lap while she rocked back and forth. I saw the love in Mrs. Taylor’s eyes and wondered if my own mother had ever looked at me the way Jasper’s mom now looked at her daughter and granddaughter.
