of what had to be at least a hundred people, maybe more. There were tents set up, lights strewn throughout, barbeques smoking, music playing, and drinks flowing. Adults were in conversations while children were laughing and running around. It looked like total chaos, and like nothing she’d seen before.
“This . . . is . . . amazing,” Darla gasped. “I want to talk to everyone . . . every single person here.”
Hudson laughed, then made eye contact with someone and waved his hand. The man walked forward.
“Darla, this is my brother Crew. Crew, this is Darla, and she’d love to talk to you,” Hudson said.
“Oh yes I would,” Darla said with a big grin as she wrapped her arm in Crew’s. “Let’s find some quiet little corner. I have a million questions, but first I definitely want a margarita.”
Crew looked with panic at his brother and Daisy couldn’t contain her laughter. She totally felt for the man. Darla was a force to be reckoned with, and when she wanted something nothing could stop her or get in her way. She’d roll over anyone or anything without looking back. Darla was asking about a million questions a minute as she dragged Crew away.
“We might not see my brother or your best friend for the rest of the night,” Hudson said as he pulled Daisy forward toward one of the three bars that were set up.
“I think you might be right,” Daisy said. People said hello, smiling as they passed by, and Daisy felt herself clinging a little tighter to Hudson. She’d been afraid to get too close to him, but as his family surrounded them on all sides, she was afraid to lose him.
They got a couple of drinks each, and Hudson found open seats at a picnic table draped with a large red and white tablecloth. She downed the first of her two drinks in about three guzzles, making Hudson laugh.
“Don’t let these guys intimidate you. I can’t say they won’t grill you, but I will say it’s done with the best of intentions,” he told her as he sipped his beer.
“This is so much more Darla’s scene than mine,” she confided. “She loves talking to people, always telling me everyone has a story. When I’m fighting for something, I can talk to people all day and night. But when it comes to social events I don’t know how to interact.”
“I disagree. I was with you at the school and you were a warrior,” Hudson told her, making her beam.
“Did I hear school?” Joseph suddenly asked, making both Hudson and Daisy jump. He moved around the table and sat across from them. “How’s that project going, Daisy?”
Daisy hadn’t seen Joseph since he’d rescued her and Darla from being taken down by a wrecking ball. She smiled at him, feeling a little better as she sipped on her second drink, grateful for the liquid courage.
“We’re in a holding pattern on the school, but I’m far from ready to give up. I think it’s going to work out,” she told Joseph.
“Would you like me to work some magic?” Joseph asked.
“I appreciate it, but I want to see what I can do,” Daisy told him. He looked at her with what felt like pride in his eyes, making her feel like she was Superwoman.
“I think that’s wonderful,” Joseph said. “But honestly, I like that school, and if you need any help at all, you just let me know.”
“My grandfather has told me what a wonderful man you are, and I have to agree with him,” Daisy said.
“I’m just a man who believes in family and community, and there’s not much I won’t do to support both,” he said as he waved his hand in the air.
“Those are some pretty great things to believe in,” Daisy told him.
“Uncle Joseph, come here,” a woman called.
“Ah, when you’re a popular man you can’t sit around for too long,” Joseph said with a chuckle as he climbed to his feet. He was gone as suddenly as he’d popped up.
For the next two hours Daisy was overwhelmed with the amount of people she met, knowing there was no possible way she’d remember all of their names. But she was enjoying the stories, the banter, and the love between the Anderson family members.
She lost Darla, never to be found again, and she wondered how Crew was handling her best friend. She was looking forward to hearing all about it later. But she was also enjoying her time with Hudson.