The family is so big, it’s hard to find room for everyone inside, so when we all get together, we tend to gather around the fire and eat at the big picnic tables my dad built in the yard.
My sisters work to get all the food and plates and silverware set up on the tables while the guys get the fire and the grill started. Dad sets a couple coolers near the tables. They’re filled with ice and beer, cans of soda, and bottled water. There are kids running all over the place, and before long, we’re all settled into our routine of laughter, music, and standing around the fire.
My dad hasn’t said a word to me since we got here almost an hour ago, and I know he’s still angry at me for never setting up another interview with his old trucking company. I’m hoping to get a few minutes to talk to him tonight so we can clear the air, but for now, I’m just enjoying the company of my sisters and my extended family.
I keep Jo close to my side, wanting to make sure she’s having a good time, but my sister Cammie steals her away to help with some kitchen emergency.
“I’ll be right back,” she says.
I pull her into a kiss, which elicits a couple cheers from the peanut gallery.
Jo covers her face as Cammie takes her hand and drags her toward the house.
She turns to give me one last look before she disappears into the house, and I smile. Life has never been so good, and I wonder how in the world I got so lucky.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Cammie takes my arm and pulls me toward the trailer. I laugh and follow along. I’m not used to having a lot of girlfriends to hang out with, so when I find myself surrounded by Colton’s sisters, I’m completely overwhelmed.
They are all inside, gathered in the kitchen, giggling and cooking and shouting back and forth. Music plays from a small radio on the counter. The house is filled with smells of bacon and beans and homemade bread, and between the smells and the noise and trying to remember everyone’s names, my brain is about to explode.
How on earth did Colton survive growing up with so many people around all the time?
It’s so different from my small house with my dad. Sure, we always had the loud bar and lots of customers, but inside our home, there was always peace.
I get the feeling this house rarely knows the meaning of the word.
“Taste this,” Cora Mae says, practically pressing a wooden spoon to my lips.
One of the other sisters has her hand on my shoulder and is telling me about a great deal she was able to get on Colton’s birthday present.
I open my mouth to taste the sauce, but just as I do, someone pushes me from behind and the spoon smacks against my chin, sending marinara all over my yellow dress. I stumble forward, hot sauce burning my chest. I suck in a breath and Cora Mae catches me.
“Oh my word. Chloe, look what you did, you dork,” she says. “Jo, I’m so sorry, darlin’, are you okay?”
I try to say that I’m fine, but everyone is making such a fuss, I can hardly think straight.
Chloe grabs my arm and spins me around. “Here, let me get that,” she says, pressing a cold washcloth on my stomach and rubbing the sauce spots. The water is freezing in contrast, and I bite my lip, involuntarily trying to scoot away.
“Girls, give her some space. You’re crowding her.” Colton’s mom waves her hands in the air and the girls scatter backward. She clucks her tongue. “Oh my, look at that dress. I’m so sorry. Here, come with me a sec.”
She grabs my arm and leads me back to one of the bedrooms. My mind is spinning, and I feel like I can hardly catch my breath.
“Take that jacket off and let me help you unzip that dress,” she says.
“Excuse me?” I ask. “No, really, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“If you don’t get that stain out, that dress is going to be ruined,” she says. She’s digging in her closet and finally comes out with a much larger pink dress. She shoves it toward me. “Put this on. I’ll get the other one in the wash for you.”
Reluctantly, I take the dress. I really don’t want to strip down in front of Colton’s mom less than an hour after meeting her, but