“So … this seems kind of sudden.”
I turned from the grill to see Serena walking toward me, a couple of cold beers in her hands. She offered me one and I took it gratefully.
“Thanks,” I said, turning back to flip the burgers. “I assume you’re talking about Zoey, and not the brats.”
“Yeah,” she said, stopping beside me, a worried expression on her face. “She seems nice and all, but what do you know about her?”
“I know that she’s funny, quirky … a writer. I know she dropped everything and moved to help her sister when she needed her, so she has a strong sense of family. Of loyalty. I know she came here to be there for her nephew, but is a little scatterbrained and got the dates mixed up. I know that everything I’ve learned about her so far, I really like.”
“Hmmmm,” Serena muttered, tipping her head back to take a sip of her beer. “Are you sure she’s who she says?”
“Rena,” I began, putting the tongs down and turning to my overprotective cousin.
She held her hand up, stopping my protest.
“Just hear me out … You know nothing about her other than what she’s told you. You’re a rich and powerful man, Gabe, and it wouldn’t be the first time that a woman has pulled out all the stops to try and capture you. Yes, I agree that if that’s what she’s doing, Zoey’s using a much different approach than the others, and I give her props for style, but, Gabe, I just want you to know what you’re getting into before it goes too far and you’re seriously attached to this woman.”
I looked her in the eye and admitted, “It may already be too late for that…”
“C’mon, you just met.”
“I know, but there’s something about her, Rena. She makes me laugh. She’s sexy as hell without even trying. She brings out this side of me that wants to take care of her … I’m not totally off my rocker and saying I’m in love, but, Serena, I haven’t been this intrigued by a woman in a long time. I want to see where it goes.” I put my hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I love that you’re looking out for me, but I think Zoey’s legit. I don’t think she came here with a secret plan to make me fall for her so she could take all my money.”
“Okay,” Serena said with a frown. “I trust your instincts. But I’ll be watching her.”
I chuckled at her and pulled her in for a hug, feeling utterly content when her small arms came around me.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Thanks for the beer,” I said, pulling back and dropping a kiss on her forehead.
As she was walking back around the front of the cabin, Reardon turned the corner and headed my way.
“It’ll be done in a few minutes,” I called before he could ask.
Reardon patted his flat stomach and grinned.
“Not trying to be a pain, but I need to fill this sucker up.”
Being the tallest of us by far, Reardon had always eaten more than your average man. When he’d hit puberty and began the first of three growth spurts, my aunt used to complain that she had to take out a second job just to keep him fed.
“I’ve got two brats and a burger with your name on ‘em.”
“Good man,” Reardon said with a grin. “So … things seem to be progressing with Zoey, huh?”
“Jesus, what is this? Are you all taking turns? It’s fine. She’s a nice woman and I like her, that’s all.”
Reardon held up his hands in surrender and said, “Whoa!” He turned his head back toward the direction Serena had just left in, then back to me. “Is that what Rena was back here about?” At my nod he said, “I was just making an observation. I like Zoey, and I’m glad that you two seem to be hitting it off. That’s all I meant.”
“Sorry, didn’t mean to bite your head off,” I said sheepishly.
“No worries, and don’t worry about Rena, you know what a mother hen she is. She’s just looking out for you. I’m sure she and Zoey will hit it off; she just needs to get to know her a bit.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right,” I replied as I placed the meat on a platter and turned off the grill.
We walked around and took the food to the picnic table, where the others were waiting with the buns, sides, and condiments. I was happy to see Serena sitting down with Jasmine and Zoey. They were all talking and everyone looked at ease.