Foundation for Three (18 page)

“Hey, Mom.” Thad got out of his chair and hugged her.

“Me next,” Pete said and followed suit.

Thad nodded to Zoey. “This is my friend Zoey. We were regaling her with the crazy stuff we did as kids.”

Zoey pushed back her chair, closed the space between them, and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Dalton. Happy anniversary.” While she’d not met Mr. Dalton yet, she could see the family resemblance between Thad and his mom. Same brown hair, same warm eyes, and identical charming smile.

“Thank you, dear, but please call me Sharon. It’s about time my son brought someone over to meet us.” Zoey inwardly groaned as Sharon speared her son with an affectionately lethal stare for a brief moment. “Zoey, what do you do?”

Thad exhaled loudly. “Mom. Can we leave the grilling until after dinner? Dr. Donovan just got here.”

Her brows rose, just as Thad probably had intended. “Okay.” She walked over to her mother-in-law, and placed a hand on her back. “Mom, can I help with anything?”

“How about cutting these tomatoes?”

Zoey had taken up enough of everyone’s time. “Let me help, too. I love to cook.”

Nana smiled. “She’s a keeper, boys.”

Zoey hoped the men didn’t respond. Being with them both was still so new.

Between Thad’s mom, Joe’s sister, Erin, and herself, they finished with the prep in less than ten minutes. Zoey’s stomach never stopped grumbling as the rich aroma of basil and garlic had her mouth watering.

Like a drill sergeant, Nana directed the men to carry the ham, chicken, and other heavy items into the barn while the women were left with the lighter dishes.

Thad balanced his tray on his right forearm and kept it steady with his left hand, but no one mentioned his odd method of transportation. If Zoey had to guess, he hadn’t told his family about the shooting. Just like she hadn’t mentioned being taken hostage for a few minutes to her folks or siblings either.

Zoey was tasked with carrying a bowl of beans. She debated asking Thad if he wanted to switch with her, but knowing how proud he was, he’d construe it as her thinking him weak.

“Don’t say a word about this,” he said, nodding to his forearm. He stole a glance at his mom.

She’d guessed it. “My lips are sealed.” A trail of people carried food across the back yard. Now she saw the full extent of the junkyard. Over a hundred cars were jammed close to each other, all at different angles. Some of them appeared to be from fifty years ago, and others were much newer, but all were in various stages of disrepair. Most of the cars had rust clinging to the sides, and her fingers itched to take photos.

“Watch your step,” Pete called out.

At the last moment, Zoey looked where she was going. Her pulse jackknifed for a second. She’d nearly tripped over a tire. “Thanks.”
Stop rubbernecking.

The barn was a huge structure, two stories tall, with an open hayloft in the middle of the second floor. Straw spilled out of the upper window, implying the barn might have other uses besides holding large gatherings. The sides were made of slatted wood, but rarely did two adjacent pieces touch.

Loud chatter greeted them even before they stepped inside. She followed Pete into the interior and looked around. “This is amazing.”

Never would she have guessed a barn could look so festive. Sure, stored junk, like lawnmowers, stacked chairs, old ladders, and even a Model T that looked to be in pristine condition, were jammed off to the side, but it was the string of lights hanging from the ceiling and the vases full of flowers on the tables along the side that made the place cozy.

Someone had set up about ten six-foot-long tables in a U-shape that opened to a stage along the back wall. The place mats were burlap and the dishes paper. She loved it. About twenty people were seated, drinking bottled beer and chatting. How cool was this?

Erin nudged her and nodded to the large wooden platform. “That was where I was married. The ceremony was incredibly romantic.”

“I bet. It’s so unpretentious.” Zoey had always imagined getting married in a big church, but after seeing this barn, she could totally see why Erin would love it. A quick smile stole across Zoey’s face. Her friend Amber had been looking at large venues for her upcoming wedding. “Do the Daltons ever rent the place out?”

“All the time. There are always professional photographers who want to bring people here to take pictures in front of the barn, sitting in the Model T, and at the junkyard.”

“I can see why. It’s charming.”

Zoey would have to take a few pictures to show Amber how neat this place was. Inwardly, she chuckled at what Amber’s mom’s reaction to the place would be. While Zoey had only met Mrs. Delacroix once, the surgeon would probably be quite horrified to have her daughter married in a place this earthy. Amber, however, would think it was perfect.

There was one glitch with Zoey’s plan. Amber’s wedding would have to be soon or in the spring, because the barn would be too chilly during the winter.

Thad’s mom slipped the container of beans from Zoey’s fingers. “Let me introduce you to Thad’s dad. Ignore his blustery ways. He can be a bit outspoken.”

Zoey could guess where Mr. Dalton got that trait from. Being raised by Nana would have been quite the experience. Zoey’s chest tightened as she remembered her grandmother’s loving ways. Once Zoey shared this meal with all these wonderful people, she might never be the same again.

*     *     *

Throughout dinner, if someone started to recount a Dalton tale, the group would suddenly go quiet. Some stories were laugh out loud funny, while others were poignant. They all had one thing in common. The tales were colorful, charming, and full of love. By the end of the meal, the Dalton family had definitely won her heart.

Sam, the quiet cousin she’d met in the kitchen, had told Zoey’s favorite story. Apparently, one Christmas a whole bunch of the older kids had grabbed the leftover dinner rolls and rushed outside. Sam, being five, followed. They’d reached a tree in the backyard and helped him climb up to the first branch. The older kids, being brats, pummeled Sam with the rolls then ran away, leaving him to figure out how to get down. He said he’d cried and cried, not because it hurt being hit, or that he was afraid to jump to the hard ground, but because he didn’t have any rolls to throw back at them. When Zoey had asked who’d saved him, Sam said Thad had come back and helped him down. Even as a kid, Thad had been a hero.

When she, Pete, and Thad finished eating, he pushed back his chair. “If you want to get in some picture taking, we should go now. The light won’t last but for another hour.”

A few of the women had started cleaning up. “Shouldn’t we help?”

“Nah. The Dalton family has it down to a science. The kids even have their assigned chores. They’ll be finished in no time.”

Thad did seem anxious to show her around. “Great.”

In the middle of the meal, she’d used the bathroom in the main house and had snagged her camera on the return.

As soon as the three of them stepped outside, Pete clasped her hand. “Let me show you my favorite truck.”

She enjoyed his warm, reassuring touch. “You actually have a favorite?” Given how he used to hang out here as a kid, it almost made sense.

“You will, too, once you check them out.” They picked their way past about thirty cars. “Here it is,” he said. “Is this awesome or what?”

It was a rusted truck with a smattering of red on the side door. The windows were long gone, but something about this Ford’s bones made it a classic. “I love it. Let me take your picture next to it.”

“Come on, Thad. Let’s give the lady what she wants.” In one leap, Pete jumped onto the hood then climbed up on the roof.

“Be careful,” she called out, fearful the thing might collapse. Pete waved away her concern.

Thad crossed his arms and leaned against where the driver’s side front fender used to be. It was next to impossible to walk around to find the best view, so she shot from where she stood. Wanting a unique angle, she crouched and aimed upward, creating a slight silhouette of the men. “Great.”
Click, click.

Before she could ask them to stay put for a moment longer, Pete hopped down and yanked open the squeaky driver’s side door. He slid in, gripped the bent steering wheel, then leaned out the window and waved. All he needed were overalls, a cowboy hat, and a long piece of straw to chew on to make her believe it was fifty years ago.

When Pete grinned, she moved in close to take his picture. After a few frames, she focused on Thad, who’d sprawled out on the roof, one arm behind his head, his injured arm resting on his stomach. Her heart sped up at his handsome image. She put the camera on multiple exposures and pumped off three shots in a row, hoping to catch the perfect picture.

Pete piled out of the car. “Let me take one of you and Thad.”

Zoey appreciated the men were willing to indulge in one of her hobbies. “I’d love that.” She was having so much fun that she didn’t want to think about anything other than the moment. She set the camera on automatic so all Pete had to do was point and shoot.

“Just push this button.” She handed him the camera then stepped close to the car, debating the best method for getting on top.

Before she could decide, Pete’s hands clasped her waist. “I’ll give you a boost.” He twisted her around and lifted her up as if she weighed nothing. In a flash, she was on the hood of the truck close to Thad’s knees.

With his good hand, Thad dragged her back a bit, and then stretched his legs on either side of her. When he leaned her back, her breath whooshed out and butterflies lodged in her belly. Pete liked her, and despite the closeness she and Thad had shared playing darts, she wasn’t positive about his interest.

Thad leaned over. “Relax. I don’t bite.”

Pete snapped several pictures in a row. Forcing herself to stop worrying, she decided to test Thad’s intentions. She leaned her head back and looked up at him, daring him to do something wild. Would he be as forward as Pete? Or would he be more reserved? Thad pressed his cheek against hers and the camera sprang to life as Pete snapped the pictures.

Without considering the consequences, she rotated her face a half inch from his. His skin smelled of soap and hay, and she kissed his cheek just like she had Pete’s. When the shutter didn’t snap, she groaned. “Pete. You missed the shot!”

“Then kiss him again.”

Pretending not to make a big deal of it, she puckered her lips and placed the kiss on Thad’s cheek again while she eyed the camera.
Click, click, click.

“Perfect,” Pete said. “Thad, let me sit with Zoey and I’ll make sure to give you an award-winning pose.”

Knowing Pete, he’d give her another toe tingling kiss, and her body heated at the possibility. Thad grinned, jumped down, and switched places with Pete. Only instead of having Pete straddling her like Thad had, he got on his knees, leaned over, and kissed her like a man on a mission.

Chapter Fifteen

W
hen Pete broke the kiss, Zoey didn’t move—couldn’t move. Her lips tingled and desire bubbled to the surface. She held her breath, hoping Thad was okay with this blatant display of affection. It would kill any chance of being with both men if this bothered him. It was one thing to hold hands with Pete, but to kiss him in front of Thad was another.

Pete ran the pad of his thumb across her lips and her body lit up. “Mmm. You tasted good,” he said. “Like chicken and sweet potatoes with a hint of tangy beer.”

Thad stepped in front of her. “That’s not fair, Pete. I just got a kiss on the cheek.” The teasing tone in Thad’s voice was a relief.

When she glanced his way, his smile erased all of her worries. “You’re right,” she said. “I wasn’t fair to you, and I always like to keep things even. Come here.”

Thad’s hazel eyes darkened as he wrapped his good arm around her waist and guided her to the ground. Instead of letting her be the initiator as she expected, he leaned forward and kissed her fully and passionately. His tenderness told her a lot about the man. The contact didn’t last long, but it sure had her heart pumping.

Thad leaned back with a satisfied look. “There. All even.”