6

      “So, why does Gabi want me to meet her father?” Jimmy asked Wade when they were on their way to Cora Jane’s. “It’s kinda weird. It’s not like I really know her.” He gave Wade an impish grin. “Unless she thought I was hotter than you and wants to date me. Maybe she needs his permission.”

      Wade frowned at the teen’s impudence. “Not even a tiny bit amusing, kid.”

      Jimmy’s grin merely spread. Eventually, though, he said, “But you do know what this is really about, don’t you? How come you won’t tell me?”

      “Because this was Gabi’s idea. She should fill you in,” Wade explained patiently. “And you can stop speculating and pestering me now, because we’re here.”

      He pulled into a driveway already crowded with cars, then was relieved to spot Boone getting out of the one just ahead of him.

      “Hey, Wade,” Boone said, walking over to shake his hand. “Jimmy, how are you?”

      “Fine, Mr. Dorsett.” He glanced at all the cars, then asked, “Is this a big party or something?”

      Wade grinned. “Jimmy thinks he’s the only one who’s been left out of the loop on what this is all about.”

      Boone patted the teen’s shoulder. “You’re not alone, pal. Nobody’s told me a thing, either. Emily called a half hour ago and asked me to show up. I came as soon as I’d dropped B.J. off at the soccer field.”

      At Boone’s words, a sinking sensation settled in the pit of Wade’s stomach. “Soccer? The same team my nephew Bryce is on?”

      “I think so, yes,” Boone replied. “Uh-oh, were you supposed to be there? B.J. gave me permission to skip this one. The kid will do anything for Emily. Plus, since we’re mostly in Los Angeles, it wouldn’t have been fair for him to get any playing time.”

      Wade was only half listening as he took his cell phone out of his pocket and hit speed dial for his sister. “This is bad,” he told Boone as he waited for her to pick up. “I was expected there. You all better head on in. Tell Gabi I’ll be there as soon as I deal with this. I have some ruffled feathers to smooth out.”

      “Where the devil are you?” Louise grumbled before he could say a word. “Chelsea, get down from there right this second. Peter, go grab your sister.”

      Wade winced. “Are you at Bryce’s game?”

      “Yes, and you’re not. Didn’t you promise me you’d be here to help me corral these kids? My husband conveniently had an emergency appendectomy to perform. Right now, I’d happily trade places with him.”

      “I’m sure the patient would be delighted about that,” Wade said. “Then you could sue yourself for malpractice.”

      “Bite me,” she said cheerfully. “How soon will you be here?”

      “Sorry. I have to bail. And just as a reminder, I never promised to be there. You just take it for granted that I will be.”

      Dead silence greeted the remark. Well, it was silent except for the sound of Jason wailing.

      “You did not just say you’re bailing on me,” Louise said at last.

      “I’m afraid so. Something came up.”

      “Something more important than helping your sister and saving your nieces and nephews from certain catastrophe?”

      Wade chuckled despite the hot water he knew he was in. “Now you’re just being dramatic. Those children aren’t in any danger with you. You just like having someone around who doesn’t judge you when you talk about them as if they’re little brats, which they’re not, by the way.”

      Louise sighed heavily. “You’d better have a really, really good excuse.”

      “A date,” he said, knowing he was opening up a can of worms, though it was the only excuse likely to satisfy his sister.

      “Details,” she commanded, clearly intrigued.

      “Not likely,” he responded. “Besides, you need to be keeping a close eye on those kids you claim are running amok. Talk to you later.”

      “Yes, you will,” she said, a dire note in her voice. “Or I will hunt you down.”

      “Duly noted,” he said. “Love you. See you soon.”

      “If you abandon me again, I’m going to take away your uncle privileges,” she threatened. “My house tomorrow for Sunday dinner. We’re eating at one.”

      “I’ll be there,” he promised, then sighed. He was fairly certain the pot roast would come with a healthy serving of uncomfortable questions.

      * * *

      Gabi couldn’t help herself. Since she’d left Jimmy answering her father’s gently probing questions, and her grandmother, sisters and Boone were handling lunch, she kept drifting toward the door to check on Wade. She didn’t want to eavesdrop on his conversation, but the somber expression on his face worried her.

      “Problems?” she asked, stepping onto the porch when she saw that he’d disconnected his call and stuffed his phone into his pocket. He joined her, dropping a kiss on her cheek. The gesture was casual, brotherly even, but it sent a spark sizzling along her nerves. The reaction was so startling, she barely heard what he was saying.

      “What?” she said, shaking off the disconcerting moment.

      “My nephew has a soccer game,” he explained patiently. “I’m usually there. I forgot all about it until Boone mentioned something about dropping B.J. at the field.”

      The butterflies already doing a dance in her stomach turned into rambunctious, fluttering birds. Big ones. “Oh, dear, do you need to go?”

      He squeezed her hand. “Not a chance. Lou has already heaped a boatload of guilt on me. Tomorrow she’ll throw a few more zingers my way. Same old thing. I’m used to it. Getting to yank my chain is one of her favorite things. Besides, she’s starting to take my presence for granted. It’s a bad habit, more than likely for both of us.”

      Gabi frowned. “Do you do this a lot? Bail on the kids, I mean?”

      “Absolutely not,” he said, his indignation plain. “In fact, that’s my point. I’m over at that house almost every afternoon providing backup for her while she settles down after work and gets dinner on the table. Even the most dedicated uncle deserves