Bessie, Ella and my eyes went to her then went to where her eyes were aimed to see Ty was standing, arms crossed on his massive chest, just outside the open kitchen door.
“Yo.” His deep voice rumbled and I sensed rather than felt the group quiver.
Everyone was silent and still for a moment, taking in all that was Ty. Since there was a lot of him and all of it was really good, this moment lasted awhile.
Ella broke it by saying, “I see in the mountains they make mountains of brother. I wish I’d known this forty years ago.”
Ty grinned. This caused another group quiver to glide through his female audience.
I experienced my quiver right along with my family then I realized what was happening and that it was brilliant, having them there but it could be explosive, depending on their reaction to the news of why I was there.
But this was family and always would be family and Ty was my husband.
So they had to know.
And they had to accept him.
Because he was family now too.
Therefore, I decided against stealth tactics and instead to launch an all of it out there in the open offensive and take my chances.
So I disengaged from Ella, moved to Ty and reengaged with him, sliding my arms around his middle, he reciprocated by sliding his arm around my shoulders.
My family watched silent and every last one of them had their mouth open, Honey, wide open, Bessie, partially open, Ella, lips parted.
Then I said, “Ella, Bessie, Honey, this is my husband, Ty Walker. Ty,” I tipped my head back to catch his eyes, “I’ve told you about my family.”
My gaze went back to the girls as the reactions started.
“The f**k you say.” That was Bessie.
“Uh… say what?” That was Honey.
Ella didn’t say anything but her eyes had narrowed.
My body tensed. When it did, Ty gave me a squeeze.
Then he spoke and I looked back up to him. “Get these sisters inside. Give them a drink. And give them an explanation. I’ll call the boys and get them over to help unload the truck.” I stared at him and didn’t move so he gave me another squeeze and murmured, “Now, Lex.”
I nodded.
He looked to the women on his deck. “Who’s got the keys?”
Bessie lifted a hand with the keys dangling from it. Ty let me go, walked to her, grabbed them with a muttered, “Thanks,” and walked around them to and down the stairs, pulling his phone out of his back pocket.
My eyes went from where he disappeared to my girls to see they were all looking at me. This boded bad things. Not many women on this earth would miss watching Ty move, even if it was just to walk down some stairs.
“Um…” I mumbled.
“Get that white booty o’ yours in the house,” Ella snapped, “now.”
I knew her tone. I was in trouble.
Therefore, I didn’t hesitate because I’d learned it was better when you were in trouble with Ella to face it fast, get it over with, accept your penance and move on. I walked into the open door and they followed.
Then I headed to the fridge while declaring with more hope than certainty I’d get away with the stall, “We’ll start with drinks.”
“We… will… not,” Ella countered and I turned around to see them all in, the door closed and they were huddled at the island opposite me. Honey had her hands on it. Bessie had her hands on her hips. Ella had her arms crossed on her ample bosom. All their eyes were on me.