I looked down at Veronica.
“Don’t crush the box before your mom sees what I made for you guys.”
Penn snatched the box from me. “I wasn’t sure if it was your girl or the box that smelled so sweet.”
Instead of swooning like most women did, Veronica rolled her eyes. She handed me the flowers and snatched the box from Penn. “Hands off.” She did an about face and stalked toward the house.
Penn’s eyebrow arched. “I really like her.”
I sighed and followed the two of them to the front door. The sounds of my family were usually comforting, but there were a few more nerves attached to this Sunday. The shrill scream of Carrington made Veronica shoot a worried glance my way.
“Welcome to the Masterson house.” Penn snatched the box away from her again and sailed through the door. “Ma! I’m home.”
“Is he always like that?”
“Afraid so.” I lowered my mouth to hers for a quick kiss. “Please don’t hate me.” I handed her the flowers and ushered her inside.
Carrington came running down the hallway, my mother on her heels. The little girl’s lemon-blond hair flew behind her in frazzled curls. Shrill screams dissolved into giggles as my mom hooked an arm around her and scooped the giggling five-year-old up off the floor. She had a beater clutched in her little hand and what looked like mashed potatoes smeared across her face.
“I didn’t finish the potatoes, young lady.” My mom blew her bangs out of her face. “Can you…?” She handed Carrington to me.
“Unca Moose!”
“Hey, Cari Bobari.” I curled my arms up until I could kiss her belly. She squealed and twisted until I had no choice but to toss her over my shoulder.
“Higher!”
Forever the refrain when she saw me. All she wanted me to do was throw her in the air, in the pool, in the bouncy house. The girl was a daredevil and had me wrapped around her finger. Even worse, she knew it. It was growing to be a theme in my life.
“Hey, Ma.”
“Hi, baby.” She pulled me down by the ear to kiss my cheek. “You said you wouldn’t be a stranger when you got that cabin. Your check-in calls do not include any of the good stuff. Nope, I have to get all that at Suzanne’s when I’m getting a cut.”
Before I could open my mouth, she turned to Veronica.
“So, you’re the one causing such a stir in town.”
She blinked at my mom, then held out the flowers. “Depends on the hour of the day, I suppose. But if you’re talking about my baby project, then yes, ma’am, I’m sure people are still talking. I’m Veronica Dixon, but my friends call me Vee. Well, except your son.” She peered up at me, her eyes going from fierce to soft. “He likes to call me by my full name.”
I caught her hand in mine.
My mom didn’t miss that. I knew she wouldn’t. Her gaze narrowed, but she took the flowers. “Well, come on in before the boys eat all my food.”
“I’m more worried about the cookies,” I muttered.
“Cookies?” My mother perked up. She had a sweet tooth as legendary as each of her boys. It was second only to my little sister, Maddie. She was pretty much made of sugar. And vinegar.
A head peeked around the corner. “Who made the cookies?”
“See. I knew they weren’t safe. Don’t you eat all those.” I set Carrington down and she took off like a shot.
“Cookies? Can I have one?”
“Not before dinner,” my mother shouted. “I’m JoAnn, by the way.”
I flushed. “Sorry, Veronica. This is my mother, JoAnn.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Masterson.”