You’re welcome to join us.”
Much as he wanted to go along, Cord was hesitant. “Are you sure that’s such a good idea? I’m a hired hand out there.”
A smile flickered then faded as she said wryly, “Believe me, no one will be happier to see you with us than Grandpa Harlan.”
“Am I supposed to understand what you mean by that?”
“Not yet, but when you figure it out, you might want to run like hell.”
He thought he was beginning to get the picture. It was definitely one that could work to his advantage. “Not to worry. I know how to hold my own with a man like your granddaddy.” Especially when he suspected they had very similar goals in mind. It might be helpful to have an ally like Harlan Adams pushing Sharon Lynn his way.
“Well, just consider yourself warned.”
“Duly noted. Now scoot or you’ll be late. The little one and I have to get all spiffed up for our debut at White Pines. She’ll charm the socks off of them.”
“So will you,” Sharon Lynn murmured under her breath.
“What was that?” Cord asked, hoping she’d repeat it. His ego could use a few more encouraging slips of the tongue like that. Most of the time she kept a friendly, but frustratingly impersonal distance between them.
“Nothing,” she said and hurried off before he could pursue the point.
When Sharon Lynn returned a little over an hour later, she looked more at peace. Cord wished his own faith were strong enough to see him through whatever lay ahead. His had been tested a time or two too many with things turning out badly on each and every occasion.
Then, again, he reminded himself, the last time had led him to Texas and eventually to Sharon Lynn. Maybe he ought to be rethinking to whom he owed a debt of gratitude.
“So, do the kid and I pass muster?” he asked, holding up Ashley. She was wearing one of her new outfits, a snuggly little yellow romper with lace trim and colorful ducks embroidered across the front. “She picked it out herself.”
“Oh, really? How did she do that?”
“I held up everything we bought until I got a smile out of her. This was the clear winner.”
“I see. Did you all discuss anything else while I was gone?”
“Just that we hoped that worried crease in your brow would be gone when you got back. It is.”
“I do feel better,” she conceded. “I’m certain everything is going to turn out the way it’s supposed to.”
It had been days since they’d heard anything from her cousin about the investigation. Maybe today they would get more answers. “Will Justin be at dinner?” he asked.
“Everyone will be at dinner, except maybe my uncle Luke and Jessie. It’s a long way from their place and they don’t always make the trip. Then, again, I doubt Jessie will miss the chance to get a look at the baby. She’s called every single day to ask about her.”
“All your cousins will be there, too?”
“Except for Angela, Luke and Jessie’s daughter. She’s living in Montana with her family. They get back for holidays or whenever a whim strikes her. Other than that, Sunday dinners are pretty well jam-packed with relatives. Don’t panic, though. You’ve already met quite a few people. You know my dad and Harlan Patrick and Grandpa Harlan. You’re working with them, so that’ll be a high enough recommendation for everybody else. You don’t have a thing to be nervous about.”
But he was. He hadn’t been this edgy going on his first date ever. Facing parental inquisitions had been nerve-racking then, but they hadn’t really mattered in the long run. Though Sharon Lynn couldn’t possibly realize it, this family gathering did matter. It was vital that he make a good impression. He needed the whole slew of Adamses on his side. Without that, he had a feeling he’d never win over Sharon Lynn.
“Let’s do it, then,” he said finally.
“You sound like you’re going to an execution,” she noted with amusement.
“Feels a lot like it, too.” He ran a finger around the inside of his collar, which felt as if it was cutting off breath. He scowled at her. “Don’t you dare laugh.”
“Never,” she promised, though she looked as if she were having to fight doing just that. “You might try thinking about the fact that I’m walking into that house with a stranger beside me and a baby in my arms. You won’t even be the center of attention. I’ll be plagued with more