Page 70 of An Unexpected Home

Chapter 17

Leah had never been to a family gathering quite like this. It was Mother’s Day, not Christmas, but apparently in Cedarville people treated them the same; at least Brandon’s family did.

There was so much food, which instead of making themselves, Brandon and the rest of the guys had catered. Then there were the gifts. It was a whole pile. Making her glad she’d had the forethought to bring something.

“Brandon, Leah,” his mom greeted them, hugging them both. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Thank you again for having me,” Leah said.

“No thanks necessary,” she said. “Go get some food and Brandon, make sure you introduce her to everyone.”

“She already knows half the people here, mom.”

“Brandon Bartholomew Graham, don’t you take that tone with me.”

“Yes ma’am,” he said and took her arm guiding her further into the house.

“Bartholomew?” she questioned and raised an eyebrow.

“It’s an old family name,” he cringed.

“You know I’m totally using that now that I know it, right?” She loved teasing him. When she had started calling him Chief over a week ago, she’d only done it because it bothered him so much. But now that he didn’t seem to mind it, she needed something new.

“You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t,” he said playfully.

They found Carly talking to her dad, who Leah had met years ago but hadn’t seen since.

“It’s nice to see you again,” she told him.

“How are you liking Cedarville?” he asked.

“I love it. Carly and Mel have been so amazing. I’m not sure what I would have done without them.” She was aware that almost everyone here knew about her past and yet it wasn’t really bothering her.

“Ahh shucks,” Carly said. “You’re gonna make me blush.”

“My daughter everyone,” Mike Graham said, making them all laugh.

“Are those Melanie’s parents?” Leah asked, pointing across the room to where Mel was standing with a man and woman that looked almost identical to her.

“Yeah,” Carly said. “Want me to take you over to meet them?” Leah looked at Brandon to make sure he was okay with that.

“Go,” he said, patting her butt lightly. “I’m gonna go find my dad.”

“Did Bran just smack your ass?” Carly asked as they crossed the large room.

“Is that a problem?” Leah said.

“No, I just had no idea that he was such an alpha.”

“Who even came up with that term anyway, and why can’t women be the alpha?” Leah was partly joking but there was some truth behind it too.

“Oh, I’m totally an alpha,” Carly said as they stopped in front of Mel and her parents.

“Do I even want to know what you two are talking about?” Melanie asked.

“No,” both she and Carly said at the same time.

“Leah,” Mel said, pulling her forward, “I’d like you to meet my parents, Christine and Dan.”

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