“Grandma Kate?” Robert headed over to the nonagenarian’s table. “I think we could probably use a hand.” Then he grinned. “Once a nurse, always a nurse.”
“Down to the bone,” Grandma Kate said. “What a wonderful day! Three moms going into labor at the same time! Soon there will be five new babies to be cuddled!”
Kate Benedict got up and followed Robert outside. He waited for her and offered his arm as they headed off toward the clinic.
“Good grief.” Bryce looked at Leesa. Shock was in his widened eyes.
The sudden exodus of so many people because of impending births likely wasn’t something he’d ever experienced before. Even her guys were a little agog.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” Leesa said. “Just wait a moment and watch.” She recalled how the family had gathered when word had gone out that Rachel’s daughter, Libby, and Libby’s best friend, Bonnie, had been kidnapped by the man the spunky teenager had called her “sperm donor.” Leesa had heard the stories of other times and had been looking forward to the next gathering of the clans, as it were.
Leesa didn’t have to explain herself. Around them, people hurried up with their lunches, left money on the tables, and headed out the door. Turning around, she could see the steady stream of people heading over toward the clinic. It didn’t take long for the restaurant to empty out.
“Where’s everybody going?” Bryce asked.
“They’re all headed over to the clinic to await the arrival of Ari and Holly—and to await the births of the newest members of the families.”
“Is that normal?” he asked.
“In this town, it sure is.”
“Then I’ll be on my way.” They all stood up. Her men shook Bryce’s hand. Leesa, suddenly moved, gave him a hug.
“Take care of yourself, Bryce. Make those changes. Be the best you that you can be.”
“I’ll do my best.” He looked from her to the men who flanked her. “I’m sorry that I was such a prick to you. I’m glad you found this place—and these men. I wish you happy, Leesa.”
“Thank you, Bryce. I wish you happy, too.”
Her men slid closer and slipped their arms around her as she watched Bryce Jordan walk out of her life.
“Sweetheart, since we’re about to make Lusty our permanent home…” Jason said.
“We should begin right away by following family tradition. Don’t you think, baby?” The words of Phillip’s question, and the words his cousin and best friend, Jason, had said wrapped around her like a warm blanket.
They would talk out the details later, but right at that moment, she was so very happy they’d all be staying right here in Lusty.
“I absolutely do. Just let me give Carrie and Tracy a hand closing down, and then we can all go to the clinic and await the new additions to the family.”
“We’ll be right here,” Jason said.
“We’ll always be right here.” Phillip nodded, and Leesa headed to the kitchen.
* * * *
“I think this brings us full circle, sweetheart. What do you think?” Jason slid his left arm around her waist. On her other side, Phillip held her hand, lacing their fingers. Out on the sidewalk, and approaching Lusty Appetites, were Jason’s parents with another, older couple. Seeing the smile on Phillip’s face, she guessed they’d be his parents, Edward and April Benedict.
Leesa turned her attention to Jason. “Gosh, I hope not. It all began with you taking a chunk out of your baby sister and then me taking one out of you.” When she thought back to her anger, her almost rage on that particular Friday evening, she wondered now she hadn’t caught the clue earlier than she had. Her reaction to her first sight of Jason Benedict had been over the top.
Jason gave her the slyest of grins. Then he leaned closer. “You can take a chunk out of me later, baby. After the party. A nice big bite.”
Leesa’s face heated, just as the door to the restaurant opened and the families of her fiancés entered.
“Look at you!” Sonja Benedict used her hands to cup the face of her youngest son. “There’s the J. Coop I used to know.”
Instead of being embarrassed, Jason’s expression was one filled with love. “Mom. I’m so glad you’re here.” He hugged her, and Leesa knew, from the look of joy on Sonja’s face, that here was a woman whose friendship she would want to hold forever.
Jason took his mother’s hands in his and kissed them then turned her toward Leesa. “Mom, this is Leesa Jordan.”
“Oh, I remember you from the last time I was here. I remember thinking at the time you’d be perfect for my son.”
“I’ll take good care of him, Mrs. Benedict.”
Sonja’s response was to give her a hug, too. “You can call me Sonja or Mom. However you like.” Then Sonja turned to Phillip. “Well done.”
“Thank you, Aunt Sonja.”
Leesa found Jason’s father to be a warm man whose smile shone in his eyes.
April Benedict hugged Phillip tightly. Then she put her hands on his arms and looked at Leesa as well as Jason. She turned her attention back to Phillip. “When your dad told me how fascinated you were hearing about Lusty, I wondered if perhaps this was where you’d end up.”
“I’ve found my destiny here with Leesa and J. Coop,” Phillip said. “I’ve never been so happy, Mom.”
“Then I’m happy for you.”
She hugged Leesa. “I hope we’ll have time to get to know each other,” April said.
“We’ll make time, because I’d like that, too.”
“We should have made time to come here more than that one visit,” Edward said. “My mother was a good woman, but she didn’t like Father talking about where he grew up. To keep the peace, it was a subject that rarely came up.” Then he leaned forward. “When Aunt Kate came to visit, Mother thought of her as Father’s only family, a maiden aunt.”
“Knowing Grandma Kate,” Jason said, “she would have played along with it—because she was visiting Grandfather on their home turf.”
“Yes, she always did. Will she
