Page 57 of Somebody To Love

Her comment referred to all the…stuff tacked up on the walls. Old mining pans, a copy of America the Beautiful, skis, and other items relating to Kismet and the state of Colorado. She knew it was a point of contention among the Jackson siblings, but she had to admit, looking around, people seemed to like it.

“Yeah,” BJ glanced around with a slight grimace. “Del certainly had the right idea with the décor. Looks like Ace and I owe him twenty bucks.”

The clinking chime of silverware hitting glass caused a hush over the restaurant. Every head turned to see Del standing in the middle of the room. Beside him stood Cassie, and just behind them, Ace and Charlie.

“That’s my cue. Dessert will be out next.” He bent his head down, brushing his lips over hers in a soft, but very thorough, kiss. “See you later, honey.”

He stood, heading over to his siblings to join them for the grand opening speech. When she glanced back at the table, she saw every single gaze of her family staring at her.

“What?”

“We’d heard the rumors, darling, but we didn’t realize they were true.”

She tapped her fingers on her leg under the table, addressing her mother. “What rumors?”

“That you and BJ had finally realized what idiots you were and hooked up.”

“Gwendolyn!” Her mother sent an exasperated glance her sister’s way. “We’d heard you and BJ had taken your friendship into relationship territory, but we weren’t positive as you hadn’t shared the news with us.”

They weren’t a super close family. Not like the Jacksons, but she glimpsed the hurt in her mother’s eyes and shame filled her. She hadn’t told them anything because she still didn’t know how to explain to her family the odd situation she’d gotten herself into. She loved her parents and sister, but they never really got her. No one did. No one except BJ, the man she loved.

“He’s a good man, Penny,” her father said, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “No one is good enough for our little girl, but he’s as close as one could get, I suppose.”

Tears filled her eyes at the unspoken words of love. “Thanks Dad. And I’m sorry I haven’t told any of you about us. It’s…kind of complicated.”

“Love always is, darling.”

Boy, did she know that.

“Excuse me everyone,” Del’s voice carried over the hushing din. “I’d like to make a toast.”

Silence fell over the restaurant. Every gaze directed at the family standing in the center of the room. Warmth and pride filled her as she watched BJ stand behind his brother, a solid force. Having the back of someone he loved, like always.

“I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight,” Del began. “Kismet is a very special town. We may not be large or fancy, but we’re solid. We have staying power. Kismet is more than a town with streets and houses, schools, and businesses. We’re a family. We look out for each other. We support each other. And I thank every one of you for supporting my dream.”

He glanced behind him. “I want to thank my brothers and sister for believing in me and always being there for me, even when I screwed up, or didn’t deserve it—”

“Oh, you mean like every day?” Charlie joked, garnering a chuckle from the crowd.

Del shook his head with a smile. “I also want to thank my beautiful, smart, amazing wife.”

He turned to face Cassie, grasping her hand in his. A pang of longing struck Penny deep in her chest. The way Del stared at Cassie, with such love and devotion…she ached to have someone look at her that way. Not someone. BJ.

“Cassandra, you believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. You pushed me to become a better man. I know you always tell me I could have done all this without you, but honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted to. You make my life so much better. Every moment, every instant, is richer for having you in it, and I will never be able to express how much I deeply and truly love you.”

Sighs and sounds of awe rose as the two kissed. A warm tear ran down her cheek and she quickly brushed it away before anyone saw. Sure, plenty of people were crying, but she’d bet they were doing so out of joy, not longing.

“So thank you to my family, all of you, all of Kismet. Jacks Restaurant will be a place for everyone to come and make memories that will last a lifetime. From engagements, to first birthdays, to graduations. I hope you all consider us part of your family because we consider you part of ours.”

A roar of applause filled the air. At the mention of weddings, babies, and family, the lone tear turned into a tsunami of emotion, pouring down her cheeks. Quickly excusing herself from the table, Penny rushed down the hallway and out to the back patio.

BJ watched as Penny rose from her table, making a hasty retreat into the back hallway. He’d been halfway across the room, but there’d been no mistaking the tears in her eyes.

Dammit!

He’d been worried Del’s sappy little family speech might be too much for her right now. Not that he’d ever ask his brother to downplay his big moment—heck, the guy had been working on this for so long and hard he deserved it—but he wished it had come at a better time. Say, not right after Penny discovered the family she wanted so desperately wasn’t happening.

Feeling shame, as if he’d somehow failed her, he muttered an excuse to his siblings and hurried after her, down the dimly lit hallway and out to the back.

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