Jericho, Pepper’s brother-in-law, who was carrying his baby girl like a football against his chest.
“Take Emma Lou!” Trace hollered, barely slowing down enough to pass his tiny bundle to Zev. “Bandit’s got Brindle’s breast pump!” He took off after the dog.
A cacophony of noise erupted as several of their friends and family ran after them, calling out, “Bandit!” Zev’s parents were doubled over in laughter as Bandit barreled around the yard, darting between trees, leading everyone in a zigzag chase.
Zev held the adorable baby with both hands wrapped around her rib cage, his arms straight out in front of him. Emma Lou’s lips curved into a frown. Her eyes slammed shut, and a shrill wail spewed from her tiny lips.
“No, no, no, baby. Don’t cry,” he pleaded, which only made her cry louder. “It’s okay. Shit. Uh…Pep? Little help?”
Pepper set down her glass and reached for the baby. “And here I thought you’d be a natural.”
“Nope. I don’t do babies.” He picked up her glass and downed the champagne. When he and Carly were together, they’d talked about having kids and raising them to be little adventurers. But Tory’s death had changed his view on many things, including having a family. Why bring something beautiful into a world where tragedy could strike at any time and cripple everyone it touched?
“That’s a shame,” Pepper said, cradling the baby. She bounced her a little, calming her into silence. “There’s nothing more attractive than a cute guy with a baby in his arms.”
“I get by all right without the extra appendage,” Zev said. “I don’t see you rushing to have babies. Why didn’t you bring a date to the wedding?”
Pepper caressed the baby’s cheek and said, “Because I don’t have a man in my life who I want my family pushing me to marry.”
He knew the feeling. “But there is someone keeping your bed warm?” Her sisters claimed she never dated, but Pepper was too smart, pretty, and kind for him to buy it.
Her cheeks pinked up. “I’m not Sable. I don’t talk about my personal life.”
“Should I take that as a no?”
“I didn’t say that,” she said uneasily, gazing out at the yard, where Beau and Trace were trying to corner Bandit and her sisters were hollering directions on how to do it more effectively.
“You didn’t have to. That’s cool, Pep. I’m picky, too.”
“I got him!” Beau hollered, hanging on to his big, black, spoiled dog’s collar. Bandit dropped the breast pump, and whoops and cheers rang out. Everyone headed back toward the patio.
“My sisters call you Foreplay,” Pepper said, looking at Zev with a serious expression. “I highly doubt your definition of picky is the same as mine.”
“Clue me in to your definition.”
Pepper gave him a scrutinizing look. “I think a man needs to treat a woman like a diamond before he’s treated like he’s worth a penny.”
“Ouch. That’s harsh.” He chuckled.
“Told you we were different,” Pepper said. “What’s your definition of picky?”
“Let’s just say, every gem is worth a look, some are even worth polishing, but there’s only one Holy Grail.”
The others arrived at the patio at once, out of breath and talking over each other, bringing an end to Pepper and Zev’s conversation.
“That was crazy!” Brindle reached for her baby and said, “Thanks for watching her, Auntie Pepper. Looks like I’ll be buying a new breast pump tomorrow.”
Zev stepped away to let the girls talk.
Sable jogged over to him and said, “Hey, Foreplay, we’re heading inside to play quarters. Want to come?”
“Sure. I’ll be right there.” He pulled out his phone, navigated to the internet, and began thumbing out Divine Intervention.
A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. There was no mistaking his father’s aftershave. He’d worn the same scent for as long as Zev could remember. While their mother was the glue that held their family together, always reaching out to touch base with each of their six children and the significant others of those who had them, their father was the solid foundation on which their family relied. Clint Braden had always been meticulous, careful, and steady. He could weather a storm without yielding to the wind and carry the weight of his entire family on his back without his legs buckling.
“How’s my boy?” his father asked.
“Great, Dad. You?” Zev pocketed his phone.
“My son just married the woman who brought him back to us. I’d say life is pretty damn good.” Before meeting Charlotte, Beau had spent almost as much time traveling as Zev did, and he had