Page 75 of Spencer

“It’s so beautiful, Spencer.”

Tabitha filled her lungs with the crisp Maine air of May as she swung her legs from the truck. Before her feet hit the rocky drive, Spencer was there lifting her down.

For someone who was five-foot-ten, and not used to being treated like a delicate flower, the gesture, for the second time,thrilled her. The move—although some might call it sexist—made her feel delicate, feminine, and altogether special.

“It’s home,” Spencer grinned, although she could tell he was a little overwhelmed with emotion, not having seen the place in over two years.

She turned away to give him his moment, scrambling for the bag that held a bottle of wine she’d left in the truck. When she deemed the moment safe, she turned around again and smiled. “Who, exactly, are you expecting here tonight?”

Theirs was the only vehicle in the front driveway, although she noticed the gravel access looped right, around to the back of the house. Maybe that’s where the rest of his family had parked.

Tabitha was a little nervous, which was unusual. She never balked at meeting new people, but something about being introduced to Spencer’s parents seemed a little intimidating. It felt like there was a lot at stake; an odd sentiment since she and Spencer had just met, but… What if they didn’t like her? What if they didn’t think she was right for Spencer? What if their opinion was a deal-breaker for him?

Tabitha worried her lip. What did she know about his family? Not much. Of course she’d had a great relationship with Vincent, but that was years ago, and they’d been concentrating more on their respective careers than anything else. She’d also met Buck, but that had been fleeting. She hadn’t had much of an opportunity to interact with his brothers Mason and Kyle, earlier, either. After they’d called their wives regarding dinner, the pair—with twin scowls of warning at Spencer—had taken off, sending him ominous threats of “we’ll talk later”.

From that brief interaction, Tabitha didn’t know if they liked her or not. Or for that matter, if they’d even noticed her much at all. Maybe they’d simply dismissed her as unimportant even though Spencer had told them that she’d be a possible third partner in his as-yet-unexplained business.

The way they’d both rolled their eyes when Spencer had told them about starting a new venture, alerted her to the fact that they weren’t taking him seriously, which kind of pissed her off. Maybe that was the crux of Spencer’s problem. Nobody in the family had ever given him the gravitas he deserved. Which could be why two years earlier he’d sought out the Merchant Marine, a job that took him away from the clan who had clearly expected him to hitch a ride on their coattails.

It was a lot of speculation, though, so she’d put it aside until she met all the players and could read the room.

“My Mom and Dad are here, of course,” Spencer answered, not knowing where her brain had gone. “Mason and Everlee, Kyle and Rowan, for sure.” He screwed up his mouth and grimaced. “And…I have to warn you that after I mentioned your name on the phone to Ma—however briefly that had been—I know her radar was pinging, so I wouldn’t rule out seeing more people. Like my grandparents. Dad’s folks love to be included in gatherings, and since they own a small farm with horses a short way down the road, when interesting things happen, they can be here in minutes.” He chuckled wryly. “Andyouhappen to be very interesting.”

“I doubt it’s me who’s the draw. You’re their grandson, and them knowing you’re back after being gone for two years…” Tabitha demurred to him.

Spencer nodded. “There is that,” he agreed, then sighed. “Anyway, depending on just how much of an alert my mother sent out, my brother Julian who’s stationed in Bangor with the Air Force might also show up. And Seifer? Well, nobody can keep track of his schedule. He could be home on some kind of school break.”

“Wow,” Tabitha heaved. “That’s a lot of people.”

“Don’t worry,” Spencer assured her. “They’re going to be so busy grilling me, they won’t have enough breath left to subject you to any kind of inquisition.”

“Right. Why don’t I believe that?” she huffed.

He bent to kiss her cheek, but didn’t deny or confirm her assertion.

Oh, well.Maybe she’d find common ground with his brothers’ wives. Surelythey’dbeen through this gauntlet before, and would come to her aid if need be.

The door to the pretty cape popped open, and on the threshold stood a diminutive woman whose blonde hair was streaked liberally with gray. That, along with the age lines on her face, spoke loudly of her years raising eight boys.

“Spencer!” she squealed, and beaming—which took fifteen years off her face—she ran down the steps with an easy sprint.

Wow.The woman looked to be in peak, physical condition.

“Ma!” Spencer returned. Halving the distance between them, he picked his mother up and swung her around in a huge hug.

When he finally put her down, she was wiping her eyes. “Damn. We missed you around here,” she sniffed.

“I missed you, too, Ma,” Spencer answered, and if Tabitha wasn’t mistaken, his dark orbs had also misted over. “I’m so happy to be home.”

“Home for…?” Mrs. Sothard probed, putting a hand to his chest and looking hopeful.

“Like I told you. For good, Ma,” Spencer assured her. “I signed my separation papers with the Merchant Marine, yesterday.”

His mother clapped her hands gleefully. “I’d prayed when you called earlier that you weren’t just placating me.” She paused to swipe away another tear. “I’m just so happy right now.”

Spencer gave his mother an additional hug, but she soon put an end to that with a no nonsense push away, accompanied by a curious look in Tabitha’s direction. “So, Spence, are you going to introduce me to your friend who I’m assuming is the Tabitha you referenced before you hung up on me before?”

Spencer ducked his head, sheepishly. “Yeah, Ma. This is Tabitha Miers.” He reached out and drew Tabitha forward, draping his arm over her shoulders to…what? Claim her? Include her?

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