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  As Boone and the kids rejoined us by the gates, Poppy spotted my family.

  “Aunt Dodie!” Poppy shrieked and shot off toward the oncoming crowd.

  All eyes were trained on me and my guests…

  Lord, help me.

  Dodie, the oldest, stood with her husband Ryan and her girls; Ruth, Martha and Laurel. Dodie’s short, sandy brown curls ruffled in the breeze and I saw her looking at Avery, her blue eyes keen with interest.

  Next to her with his daughter Heather was Graham. Tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, Graham was still fit and trim from his time in the military and his new girlfriend, Kayla, stood next to him. He had caused somewhat of a twitter when he started dating Kayla, who happened to be a tall, stunning, young black woman. I’d liked her the minute I met her. She was smart, sassy, funny and a whole lot more fun than that right wing nut job he’d married and thankfully divorced. We don’t speak her name amongst the family.

  Beside Graham stood Lucy, all black curls and smiles. Miles, her husband, stood in a shady spot with their baby, Corny, in his arms. My sister Nan was next to my baby brother Levi and his husband Seth.

  I nudged a suddenly quiet Avery forward. Boone and Peg followed suit and I introduced them to my brood. Dodie and Graham were gracious and welcoming. Lucy didn’t shake hands—she was a hugger. All three Myer men were mesmerized as she launched herself at them. Lucy’s beauty was breathtaking and few could resist her loving nature. Peg blushed as he was hugged and gave her a muffled thank you. Poppy rolled her eyes and smacked him on the arm, amused. Nan was cordial but pleasant and oh so typically prissy. Levi, however, was all over Avery like a rash.

  “I wondered who’d capture my brother’s heart!” Levi pumped Avery’s hand enthusiastically. “Does he ever let you talk? Most of us can’t get a word in edgewise with Martin around.”

  I cuffed my brother and he sniggered. “Ha ha,” I deadpanned. “Avery Myer, this is my baby brother Levi Gaither and his husband Seth Okuda—”

  “Gaither. Seth Gaither.” Seth corrected me with a shy smile.

  Seth was delicate, almost feminine and his blue eyes had an almond tilt to them, proclaiming his Japanese heritage. Onyx hair fell in soft bangs over his oval face. He was the total, physical opposite of my long, lanky blond brother and they made a striking couple.

  “I keep forgettin’ you’re a Gaither now.” I pumped Seth’s hand and he laughed as I jiggled him from the force of my handshake.

  Seth beamed an adoring look at Levi. “And proud of it.” Levi grinned at him and snuggled him close, wrapping an arm around the smaller man’s waist. “Nice to meet you, Avery.”

  “This is Peg, Avery’s son and his triplet, well, one of ‘em, Boone.” I introduced them with a smile and Boone shook both Levi’s and Seth’s hands.

  “A triplet? I thought you two looked a lot alike. I thought it was the beards,” Lucy piped up as she walked over to us. Nan was conspicuously silent.

  Boone’s hearty laugh made everyone, even Nan, smile. “Nope, identical triplets and all gay.” He cast a baleful glance at Avery. “For the most part.” He reached down and patted Peg on his back. Peg was standing right between me and Avery, watching the interplay with the adults.

  “All three! Amazin’!” Lucy exclaimed. “I’m so glad you came.” She linked arms with Avery, tugging him away, most likely to grill him about our relationship. Peg hung back until Poppy hollered for him to follow her, which he obediently did. That left Boone, Seth, Levi, Nan and me alone. Nan’s puckered lips bode ill.

  “So, I understand you two are talking about living together.”

  Damn her, she knew how to put a guy on the spot. All eyes were on me.

  I glowered at her before speaking. “Yes, we have. We’re takin’ it slow. Peg needs time to adjust to us being a couple. When he’s ready, Avery and he are movin’ into my house.” There, my statement of intent was out there.

  “Congrats, bro. I’m happy for you.” God bless Levi. He always had my back. I was one of the few non-dissenting voices when he moved in with Seth, whereas Dodie, Graham and Nan were opposed to it, saying he was going too fast. Lucy and I supported him and we were right in the end. Levi and Seth were deliriously happy and perfect for each other.

  “Don’t you think you’re going to fast?”

  Again Nan? Why are you so negative?

  Before I spoke, Boone interjected. “You need to know one thing about, Avery. He’s not one to jump into relationships idly. His late wife Daisy and he were rock solid. My brother loves hard. If he told Martin he loves him, it’s a done deal. Martin will have a Myer by his side, lovin’, protectin’ and supportin’ him for the rest of his days. Fast or slow, it doesn’t matter, when Avery makes up his mind, its set in stone.”

  Nan blinked obviously stunned at the speech Boone had given. Levi and Seth were all smiles and I could have kissed Boone’s bearded mug in sheer gratitude. He stared Nan down until she dropped her gaze. Myer’s stick together Avery had said one time and he was right.

  “I’m hungry! Is there a hotdog stand around here? I need a fat juicy wiener,” Boone added to the sly. I burst out laughing as did Levi and Seth. The tension broken, we strode over to catch up with the rest of the family, leaving Nan to stew.

  Chapter 10

  Avery

  “I’m so happy for you and Martin. He’s such a wonderful guy and I’m not sayin’ that because I’m his sister,” Lucy said. “Just don’t let him railroad you. He can talk and talk until you give in just to shut him up.” She giggled at that last bit.

  “I know,” I conceded with a smile of my own. Martin could talk over a person, when he was trying to get his way.

  “He means well. He’s been mine, Nan’s and Levi’s protector for so long, he can’t help but put his two cents in any chance he gets. He’s a well-meanin’, overprotective, sometimes overbearin’, chatterbox.”

  “A familial trait, I see.” I teased and Lucy stopped, blushing as we both chuckled.

  “Guilty. I have only one real question.” Lucy bent down to pick up her son, who was tottering toward her from his father on unsteady little legs. She scooped him up and smothered him with kisses then hugged him close and looked over his shoulder at me. “Do you love him?”

  “Somethin’ awful,” I answered her truthfully.

  “Oh you poor dear.” Lucy patted my cheek sympathetically. “He’s gonna be a handful.”

  “Yup, but he’s my handful.” I smiled at her. “Don’t worry, Lucy, I’ll take good care of him.”

  She paused then yanked me into a surprisingly strong bear hug. “That’s all I needed to hear. He deserves it.”

  When she let go, her dark eyes were wet. Lord! I refused to get all mushy, even as my own eyes pricked with tears. They may not be Myers, but the Gaither kids shared one important trait with us, they loved their own. I was beginning to like these Gaithers. They were my kind of people.

  *

  The day wore on and we had a blast. The whole clan ambled from one section of the park to another. We didn’t rush and enjoyed the day, talking and getting to know each other. The first part of the day we all rode as many family rides as we could and between the Gaithers and the Myers, we were a large crowd. The whole gang piled onto the Monster Mansion boat ride and got soaked to the bone. It was a great way to cool off under the summer sun. Thunder River came next and if any part of me wasn’t wet before—it was now. I’m glad I’d taken Martin’s advice and worn board shorts instead of regular shorts. They dried quickly in the heat.

  We were in the Cotton States waiting on some of the family to meet up with us. Boone, Martin, Lucy, Levi, Graham, Seth, and several of the kids were all in line to ride Superman: the Ultimate Fight. It simulated flying by positioning its passengers parallel to the track and the rider was supported by harnesses. When in position, they faced the ground through most of the ride. I begged off to sit and talk with Dodie, Nan and Kayla. I was not about to admit that I suffered from motion sickness on rides l
ike the Superman.

  Under a large shady tree, I waited with the other non-riders and enjoyed a respite from the blazing sun. Kayla, Ryan and Miles tended to the children who were too small or unwilling to ride. Two of Dodie’s daughter’s didn’t want to ride, but her youngest, Laurel, was with the riders. Ruth, Dodie’s oldest girl, wholeheartedly admitted her terror of heights and her sister Martha agreed with her. Peg and Poppy were with Martin waiting in line with the others.

  I was surprised that Peg wanted to ride the Superman. I think Poppy and Boone going on it had given him the courage to. I had to admit, I was worried for Peg. I could tell he was scared, but my little man refused to sit out. He waved to me quickly as the group all headed to the coaster.

  I was having a great time until Nan spoke up.

  “So you’re a butcher.” Perched on a bench near me and Dodie, she looked hot, miserable and definitely wilted.

  “Yup.” I sipped on my bottled water and turned my attention to her.

  “Does that pay well?” she asked and heads turned our way.

  “Nan!” Dodie scolded her sharply.

  “What? I was curious,” she snapped back.

  “Where are you manners?” Dodie fumed and Nan backed down under her older sister’s admonishment.

  I wasn’t going to let her get the better of me and though I appreciated Dodie’s defense of me, I could fight my own battles. “Nah, it’s alright Dodie and to answer your question Nan, it pays enough. In fact, I was approached recently with a job offer. Valentino Da Costa, owner of Avanti Blue and Vermillion Crush, personally offered me a job as butcher and sous chef at his new restaurant, Whisperer’s Green.”

  “I know those places! Very snazzy. Getting into either of them requires a reservation and some bucks,” Kayla said as she munched on some kettle corn. Her big sun hat flopped as she talked and I hid my smile. The thing was bigger than an inner tube.

  “It’s a good offer. I’d be off by seven in the evenin’ and I would be the primary buyer and butcher of all the meats for the place. Da Costa is a good boss. He has the lowest employee turnover in the area. He offers great benefit packages and competitive salaries. Most restaurants don’t offer any of those things which is why his people stay and are so loyal to him.” I paused and drank some more water to soothe my suddenly dry throat. “I told him I needed to think it over but, truthfully, I’m ready for a change and it’s a good move. It would be more of a managerial role.” I ended my spiel and Nan’s sour face softened.

  “Lighten up, Nan,” Dodie warned her sister. Nan opened her mouth then snapped it shut, obviously thinking twice about whatever she’d been going to say. Heather, Graham’s daughter spoke up.

  “Here they come.” She squinted at the approaching group. “Aunt Dodie, something’s wrong.”

  We all turned to look in their direction. Martin and the others were rapid fire talking and Levi and Seth suddenly took off in one direction. I watched as Boone and Lucy strode off in the opposite direction. I jumped to my feet and raced over to Martin, who was headed toward us with Laurel. I couldn’t see Peg or Poppy and my chest tightened.

  “Martin! Where’re our kids?” I tried to tamp down the panic in my gut. “Where’s Peg?”

  Martin wiped the sweat off his brow, his face even paler than usual. “We got separated from Peg and Poppy in the rush of the crowd. The others are searchin’ for them.”

  “What? How? Oh my God. You lost them?” I shouted and Martin flinched. I tried to reign in my anxiety.

  “Yes. I did.” His tone was measured and calm.

  “Uncle Martin, ith’s not your fault. I heard Peg tell Poppy after we got off the ride he wath thick to his thomach. Poppy was takin’ him to find a baffroom,” Laurel lisped though missing front teeth. “Peg wath all greeny in the face.”

  I inhaled sharply and scanned the area around us. “We need to tell someone! My boy’s missin’!” I was beside myself with worry, but Martin was oddly quiescent.

  “Calm down Avery—”

  “How can you tell me to calm down? My boy’s lost,” I yelled at him, arms flailing wildly.

  Martin’s gaze narrowed and he barked, “So is my daughter and watch your tone, Myer.” His anger brought me up short. Martin had never gotten angry with me before. He gave me a hard look and asked his niece, “Heather, do you still have the park map?”

  She nodded and he gestured for her to hand it over. Unfolding it, he studied it carefully with Dodie and Nan looking over his shoulder. Meanwhile, I paced in circles getting more and more anxious. Martin put his finger to a spot and tapped his finger on it.

  “There!” he announced. “Dodie, Nan, you stay put just in case the kids come back here.” He handed the map back to Heather “Come on, Avery.”

  Martin marched away quickly and I hurried to catch up. He was moving fast and when I caught up with him, his face was pink and his jaw clenched.

  “Where are we goin’? We need to be lookin’ for Peg and Poppy. Not goin’ on some wild goose chase.” He jerked to a halt and spun around to face me. Blue eyes blazed angrily at me and I took a step back.

  “I am lookin’ for them,” he said curtly. “There’s a park station near a bathroom around the back of the coaster and I’m guessin’ that’s the bathroom Poppy took Peg to. If I’ve taught Poppy anythin’ it’s not to wander. If she were to get separated from me, she knows to find a police officer or store clerk or some authority figure and stay put. I’m bankin’ on her keepin’ a level head.” He started to walk again then halted and turned back to me. I saw the hurt in his eyes. “I can’t believe you would think I would lose our kids on purpose. This was an accident. You think I’m a bad parent!”

  Guilt washed over me and heat radiated up my neck. I was being an asshole. “I’m sorry, Martin. I should have thought before I spoke. You’re a great parent.”

  “Yes, you should have,” he snarked. “I love my little girl and would give my life for her.” He closed the gap between us and poked me in the chest with his index finger. “And despite only knowin’ Peg a few weeks, I’d do the same for him.”

  “I’m an asshole.” I hung my head, thoroughly ashamed of myself.

  “Yes, you are.”

  “I really put my foot in it, didn’t I?” I reached for him, but he batted my hand away.

  “Yes, you did, but that doesn’t matter, Avery. What you said back there really hurt.” He backed away and the pain on his face devastated me. I stepped closer and reached out, touching his arm. This time, he let me. Emboldened, I tugged him to me by the drawstrings on his shorts.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t think of anythin’ else to say.” I bent down and whispered, “I love you, Martin. I’m a stupid fool for talkin’ to you like that. Please forgive me. When it comes to Peg, I’m a bit crazy.”

  He looked at me and sighed. “I get it. I’m the same way with Poppy.”

  “Then why aren’t you freakin’ out?”

  “I am!” he shouted, flinging his arms into the air and knocking my hands away. He resumed his stride toward the park station and I raced after him. We turned a corner by a large hedge. “Just ‘cause I don’t act like some overbearin’ jackass doesn’t mean—”

  “Daddy!” I heard Poppy shout and relief washed through me. She stood with Peg next to a park attendant. Martin broke into a run with me in hot pursuit. He reached the kids first and swept them up into his arms, hugging them hard. I huffed and puffed as I skidded to a stop next to them. Peg let go of Martin and flew into my arms.

  “I was so scared,” Peg bleated from the crook of my shoulder. Words tumbled from his mouth as he clung to me. “I was sick after the ride and Poppy said she knew a bathroom was around the corner and I heard her tell one of the other kids we were going to the bathroom and when I came out, Poppy said Uncle Boone and Martin were gone and she said we had to find an adult workin’ in the park and stay put and we did and she said her Daddy would find us and he did!” Peg’s amazement and admiration for Poppy was written all over
his face.

  “Daddy always says if you get lost, find an adult that works for the park and don’t wander,” Poppy chirped from Martin’s arms. He nodded and hugged her tighter.

  “You did good, Poppy. I’m so proud of you for takin’ care of yourself and Peg.” Poppy glowed from her father’s praise.

  “Are you mad?” Peg asked querulously and Poppy twiddled her ponytail, nervously

  “I’m not happy,” Martin said firmly as he addressed his daughter. “I’m glad you’re okay, but next time make sure you tell an adult what you’re doin’. Not one of your cousins. Got it?” His tone was serious and Poppy nodded, chastened.

  “Got it. I’m sorry.”

  “Apology accepted. You’re both safe and that’s all that matters.” He kissed her forehead and hugged her again.

  I turned to Peg. “Martin’s right, Peg. Next time tell an adult what you’re goin’ to do.” I let him loose and added. “And listen to Poppy.”

  Peg nodded and ran over and hugged Martin again. He smiled as he hugged my boy and I knew, deep down, Martin had meant everything he’d said.

  Martin patted Peg on the shoulder and stood up. He fished out his phone from his pocket and fired off a blanket text to Boone and his family, letting them know we’d found the kids. Peg was holding Martin’s right hand and Poppy was holding my left. I reached out my hand to Martin and mouthed, I love you. He did the same and slipped his hand into mine, squeezing it. I was out of the doghouse.

  The four of us meandered back to the family and I didn’t care who saw Martin and me holding hands... not one damn bit.

  *

  “Cotton!”

  Boone and I galloped over to the Arrivals Terminal and slammed into our brother. Cotton hugged us both hard and we all stood there in each other’s arms grinning like a bunch of loons. We didn’t care. Boone and I hadn’t seen Cotton in weeks and we needed to touch him. Cotton sniffled and so did Boone. I don’t mind admitting I snorked up my own tears, too.