The kids came running, Millie still crying, and took seats on the floor before their parents.
Evelyn, apparently pleased with all the undivided attention, wrapped both arms around Max’s father’s waist, leaned her head on his shoulder, and said, “Toby and I would like you all to know that we have set a date!”
“I thought you said we didn’t have to go,” Trace said instantly.
Evelyn lifted her head and glowered at her son. “No, Trace, you don’t have to go, but I thought you’d at least want to know when your mother is getting married.”
“Oh. Sure.” He glanced down at his phone.
“When, Mom?” Carly asked.
The two lovebirds exchanged a look. “Next weekend.”
“Next weekend? Like, seven days from now?”
Max knew that Carly was the one who had shouted that question, but he shouted it just as loudly in his head. He and Carly exchanged a look of panic. He said, “Dad, why the race to the altar?”
“Good question, dude,” Trace said to his phone.
“Too much noise from all the boys,” Jamie muttered. He was rocking back and forth, and Max wanted nothing more than for this to be over so he could get his brother out of here.
“I have to agree,” Mia said. “This weekend seems really soon. Does Dad know?”
“What?” Evelyn said. “What on earth, Mia?”
“Dad,” Max said, “can you postpone this?”
“Why are you all so against this?” Evelyn asked. “We are two grown adults who know what we want. We are eager to get on with our lives together, so why would we delay it?”
“If you’re worried about your brother, Aunt Sandy is going to come and stay,” his father said. “Now listen, all of you. We know this is sudden. But we are happy and in love and, like Evie says, we want to get on with it. We want us to be a family. We’d like to propose a Thanksgiving feast to celebrate our marriage and our new family.”
“Jesus,” Max muttered.
“We’re having Thanksgiving with Will’s family,” Mia said.
“Mia! Can’t you just once come to my house?” Evelyn asked.
“We can probably arrange something,” Will said helpfully, and seemed surprised by the dark look he got from his wife.
“Can we get up now?” Finn asked. His father shook his head. Finn pushed his little brother.
“No can do,” Trace said. “I’m working.”
“Really, Trace?” Mia said. “Are you selling a lot of pharmaceuticals on Thanksgiving?” She turned back to her mother. “What about Dad?”
“What about him?” Evelyn said sternly.
“He said he and his new girlfriend are going to the coast,” Carly said.
“Don’t think so,” Trace said to his phone. “He broke up with that chick.”
Evelyn jerked her gaze to her son. “Excuse me?”
“It’s okay, Evelyn,” Max’s father said, and patted her arm.
Evelyn did not look like she thought it was okay. But she pinned her gaze on Carly. “Carly, you’ll be here, won’t you?” she asked. “And you, Max. We all need to bond as a family!”
Max could almost feel Carly stiffen. “I, umm . . .”
Evelyn suddenly broke away from Max’s father and marched to where Carly stood. “I know this is hard for you, sweetie. But it’s going to be okay.” She abruptly threw her arms around her daughter and hugged her tight.
The sudden movement startled Jamie, and he gave a small shriek of alarm, as if he feared he was next.
The kids laughed. Finn got up and came over to look at Jamie, who was rocking quickly now and flapping one hand. “Dad,” Finn said, “what’s wrong with him?” That question caught the attention of his brother and sister, who hurried over to look.
“Hey,” Max said, and tried to draw Finn away from Jamie.
“Jamie!” Evelyn said. “Please don’t be afraid. I’m sorry if I startled you.”
“Evelyn, don’t—” his father tried, but it was too late. Max didn’t know what Evelyn intended to do, but she moved toward Jamie, and Jamie mistook her intentions. He shrieked and pushed her away. But he was a big guy, and when he pushed her, he sent her tumbling backward.
That’s when everyone started shouting.
Twenty-One
The aftermath of Evelyn Kennedy’s fall was pure chaos. The adults were shouting, the children were crying, Baxter was barking, and Carly’s mother was looking a little dazed. Carly helped Max get an inconsolable Jamie out to his car. The only thing that kept Jamie from curling into a ball was Baxter, who hopped into the seat beside him like they were all going on a big adventure and let Jamie wrap himself around