A look of disbelief and shock registered on Logan’s face and Cliff had to wonder if there was something he was missing.
“You helped save and protect her family, Cliff. She considers you family.”
“Which means. . .?” Cliff let the question hang in the air for a moment.
“Which means you need to be there.”
Eyeing his friend, Cliff set down his fork and leaned against the back of the booth.
“No catch?” His friend started to shake his head, but Cliff added, “And don’t forget I can take out a man without lifting a finger, literally.”
He watched as Logan’s Adam’s apple pulsed up and down his neck as he swallowed.
“Fine. She may be trying to set you up with some of the local girls. She’s found a new hobby in matchmaking.”
Lifting another forkful of food to his lips, Cliff pointed out, “I don’t need help finding a woman.”
Logan gazed at him skeptically, but it was the truth. Cliff could go home with a willing woman if he ever took them up on their advances.
Cliff’s attention was drawn back to Logan as his friend slipped from the booth, leaning on the edge of the table with his fists balled up on the chipped Formica. “When was the last time you went on an actual date? When was the last time that you did anything for yourself?”
Cliff tried to think back. The last time he went on a date was. . .the day before he was shipped out at eighteen, leaving a grieving bride at home. Had it really been that long? By the blank look on Cliff’s face, Logan must have gotten his answer.
“Exactly. Don’t dismiss Mrs. Connelly next time she asks. Plus, it may not be me that gets the pleasure of convincing you next time.”
The Connelly family was a big one with six children, three of whom were brothers. Add in the husbands of the sisters and you have one gigantic clan of men he liked to consider friends. But he knew the family would always come first, and if that meant knocking some sense into Cliff until he understood his position as an adopted Connelly, then he wouldn’t put it past them. They’d do anything to please their parents.
“Fine, I’ll make sure to reconsider the invite next time. Now, can I get back to eating my breakfast before it gets cold?” Cliff asked trying to feign annoyance, but he knew that he was failing. His friend's face morphed into a delighted grin.
“See that you do. Avery, the kids, and I are here for a quick bite before going to the market. I know she would be thrilled if you joined us today.”
“Sure, I had plans to stop by the shop this morning if you guys don’t mind.”
“Yeah?” Logan asked, a glint of excitement flashed across the man’s face. “I had a few thoughts for some additions on the new tattoo you gave me. Maybe we can talk about it while we’re there.” He turned his head as the bell over the diner door chimed and Logan watched his family stroll into the diner and settle at a booth near the front. Their twins scurried across the bench seat on their knees, while their toddler sat on Avery’s lap.
Cliff envied his friend, both he and Avery deserved every ounce of happiness that had come their way. And if his instincts were correct, then Cliff foresaw another addition to their brood in another seven months or so.
“Just grab me when you’re ready to go. I’ll work my way through the paper while I wait.”
Nodding, Logan left with a glazed look of happiness on his face, seemingly as much in love today as he was when he first met his wife. It seemed that all of his friends got that same starry-eyed look on their faces when they saw their spouse or significant other. When he had been married, Cliff couldn’t remember ever wearing that expression when he saw his wife.
Shoulders nudged and brushed against Cliff as he traveled down the street of the market. As predicted, the idyllic weather had brought people from all over. Vendor tents and canopies lined the entire six blocks of Main Street, about four blocks more than average. The spectrum of colors cast the thoroughfare in a prism of colors.
A woman tugging a wagon filled to the brim with frames and canvases pushed passed their group, jostling Avery in the process. On instinct, Cliff reached out and wrapped an arm around Avery’s slender shoulders to help steady her on her feet. Logan stood on his other side pushing their oversized stroller through the crowd, his face fuming at the woman’s retreating back.
“You okay?” Cliff asked the petite woman as she brushed her hand across the arm that the stranger knocked into.
“Yeah,” she began, but as she stared up at Cliff something in his gaze must have registered with her. “You know, don’t you? Logan, did you tell him?”
Logan shouted back at her, “Tell him what?”
“Ugh, you’re like the freaking baby whisperer. We haven’t even told my family yet.” Cliff knew that Avery was trying her hardest to sound upset that he spoiled her secret, but her utter happiness quickly extinguished any forceful anger.
“I won’t tell anyone. You know that your secret was safe with me.”
Her blue eyes danced in elation as the corner of her lips tilted upward in a smile. “You’re like a vault. But someday, a woman is going to break that code. Mark my word.”
“I’m shaking in my boots,” he replied in mock fear.