Page 43 of An Endless Memory

The look I got in return from Magnolia was introspective. What had she been expecting from me?

I was floundering. The country kid in me wanted to go back to work. To get on a horse and find shit that was broken and fix it. I didn’t want to entertain Lily’s family. I wanted to pick her and the kids up and go somewhere where the air didn’t smother me in judgment.

Magnolia put a comforting hand on my back as if she wasn’t sure about me, but she wasn’t the type to push me into the middle of a creek without a paddle. “This is Alder, my oldest.”

She pointed to a stern-looking man with piercing hazel eyes. He resembled Weston the most, but the wave in his hair was from his mom. His nod was nearly imperceptible. He reminded me of Cody.

“And Violet, the next oldest,” Magnolia continued, pointing to the woman next to Alder. She had a flashing blue gaze and her black hair was pulled into a tight bun. She reminded me of Cody when he had hidden behind his professionalism. “I’ll go in chronological order.” Magnolia patted my back again. “Poppy and Clover. Then Jasper.”

“If I get tested, can it be multiple choice?” I joked.

Violet clucked her tongue. “He’s not taking this seriously.”

The verbal slap came out of nowhere. I held my hands up. “Whoa there. Don’t misunderstand my nervous humor. Lily might’ve learned about a deadline for our relationship that hastened our marriage, but I’m serious about her. I’m serious about this place. And those two little ones deserve the best. I’ll make sure they get it.”

Violet crossed her arms. She wasn’t as hostile as before, but her mouth was still set in a flat line. “Carter used to talk a good game too.”

“I sure as hell ain’t that bastar—” I dipped my head to Magnolia. “Apologies, ma’am. I haven’t heard a thing about him that’s likable.”

Magnolia’s militant expression matched her eldest daughter’s. “You heard right.”

A chortle came from Jasper. He was standing in the corner with his arms crossed. He resembled Alder but younger. Magnolia gave him a hard look, but he raised his hands. “I’m never not going to like hearing Carter shit talk.”

“That makes all of us.” Was it Poppy who spoke? She and Clover were crammed into the recliner, with one perched half on the armrest. Were they twins?

The Dukes had a real flower-and-tree thing going for their names. The other two sisters’ hair and eyes were lighter than Lily’s. They were dressed more casually, along with Jasper, but where he was wearing jeans and a loose shirt, the two women were in shorts and blouses.

Weston handed out copies of a document. “We can go ahead and get started.”

“Lily’s not home.” The rustling of paper stopped and attention was on me. I dug my boots in. “You came here to talk to everyone at once, so… We wait for everyone.”

“Lily’s gotten a head start, or you wouldn’t be here.” That was Clover. I was ninety percent sure. Whoever it was smiled, and where Violet had an edge, I didn’t get the sense her comment was meant to be challenging.

The door opened, and Cali streaked inside. She flung herself at my legs. “Eliot!” She stopped when she saw everyone, eyes wide. The Duke crew transformed in front of me from stern to elated. A chorus of “Cali” rang out. Violet’s was the loudest and she flung her arms out, nearly taking out Alder. The guy actually cracked a smile.

Cali’s grin had filled in since I’d last seen her. She raced toward Violet, who dropped to her knees on the floor. “I missed you, girl.”

I went to the door and held it open for Lily. Her gaze was fraught, and in her bright eyes, she was silently asking me if I was all right. The dark circles were back. Was Kellan fussy again? Teething?

Her dad took the baby carrier from her.

Lily turned her wide gaze to him. “I didn’t know you all were coming. Tonight.”

Wow. They’d really just helped themselves to her house. In their mind, it was still their grandmother’s place, and since she was gone, they’d taken over. I could understand, but also, Lily’s overwhelmed reaction was enough for me.

Perhaps events like this contributed to what had alienated Lily’s ex. I could understand, but he was still an asshole.

Cali was crowded by her aunts and uncles. Even Jasper had pushed away from the wall for her. Magnolia was freeing Kellan from his carrier. The baby was almost as stunned as his mom.

I rested my hand on Lily’s back and leaned close to her ear. “Doing okay?”

“Me?” she whispered. “What about you?”

“It’s been a party.” I flashed her a smile. She didn’t have to know her family intimidated me. “I haven’t been here long.”

She gave me a knowing look. “Long enough?”

“Now that we’re all here,” Weston said. “Why don’t we get talking?”

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