“Miss Emily, what have I told you about cursing?” Jack West called to her, hands on his hips.
So this was Emily. Nate had adopted her when he’d married Megan.
She looked at her feet. “It’s okay to think it, but don’t say it out loud.”
“That’s right.”
“But you say it out loud all the time, Grandpa Jack.”
“We’ve talked about that, too. Why is that different?”
“Because you’re an ornery old cuss.”
Eric met Victoria’s gaze and saw that she, too, was fighting not to laugh.
“That’s right. You’ve got to have gray hair to cuss. Now come help your old grandpa get food on the table.”
Lexi introduced Victoria to everyone—Jack and his wife, Janet, and Megan, who was busy setting condiments on the table. “The two little ones are Jackson—Megan and Nate’s son—and Lily. She’s Jack and Janet’s daughter.”
And then it was time to eat.
It wasn’t just the table cloths and dishes that were classy. Lunch, as it turned out, was not your average picnic. Everything was homemade, from the fried chicken and mashed potatoes, to the salads and the blueberry pie.
Eric couldn’t keep his gaze from drifting back to Victoria. She was quieter than usual, watching and listening while everyone else talked and joked, sadness unmistakable in her eyes.
That washisfault.
Damn it.
Jack seemed to notice, too. “How’s your meal, Victoria?”
“It’s amazing.” Her gaze shifted to Janet and Megan, her face brightening. “I love to cook. I should get your recipes for fried chicken—and the pie.”
Jack’s face folded in a frown. “Those would bemyrecipes, young lady.”
Janet laughed. “Jack is the cook in the house. We just do the dishes.”
Color flooded Victoria’s cheeks. “Oh! Sorry.”
“No offense taken.” Jack topped off Victoria’s iced tea. “Stop by the house on your way out, and I’ll give you a couple of recipe cards.”
“Thanks. I would appreciate that.”
Then Jack got to his feet and raised his beer. “Lexi, the ties between your family and mine go back a couple of generations. We’re all happy for you and wish you and Austin the very best in your new life. To the bride and groom!”
Eric stood, as did everyone but Lexi and Austin. “To the bride and groom!”
Lexi dabbed her eyes with her napkin. “Thank you, Jack. You’re making me cry.”
* * *
After no onecould eat another bite, the Wests got busy cleaning up the table, packing everything away, refusing to let anyone help.
“We’ve got hand wipes if anyone has greasy fingers, and there’s a privy fifty yards south of here.” Jack pointed. “Otherwise, feel free to hike around until you’re ready to ride again. There’s a little stream off that way.”
Eric took a quick bathroom break, then washed his hands. He glanced around and saw everyone but Victoria. He hiked off in the direction of the stream and found her sitting on a big boulder, looking down at the water. “Hey.”
She glanced up at him. “Hey.”