Page 97 of Delinquent Daddy (Banks/Kincaid Family 2)

It stunned her that Boston's family seemed more concerned with not insulting her than trying to snub her. And here she'd been expecting the cold shoulder as well as the third degree.

"Don't mind my husband," Allison stepped in, apologizing as well. She set a hand on Chuck's arm. "He thinks he should know everyone, or at least everyone's family."

After that, the introductions were a blur. But Helena seemed determined to personally intro

duce Ellie to every single person present.

When they turned toward Shannon March, Ellie was relieved to see a face she knew she'd remember. Shannon was famous, her features spread across magazine covers nationwide. But when she sent Ellie a shy smile, she certainly didn't act like a star.

"I'm Shannon," she said quietly. "Monty's wife."

Ellie wanted to say, "Well, duh. Of course you're Shannon."

But she was too bowled over to speak. Shannon March was talking to her, and giving her a wide-eyed stare as if Ellie were the famous one.

"I was so worried when he first got that letter," she confessed to Ellie with a relieved laugh. "Then when he remembered he had actually had a class with you, I totally freaked out. But this worked out nicely. It's so good to meet you, Ellie."

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They were still holding hands and grinning at each other when an authoritative female voice called, "Out of my way. I want to officially meet Cassidy's mother."

The crowd parted immediately for two people: a man who looked just like Boston, but maybe thirty years older, and a woman who was so familiar, Ellie held her breath.

She remembered Boston's mother vividly from Chuck E.

Cheese's.

Oh, good Lord, Boston's parents.

Ellie's skin tingled with apprehension as her gaze unwillingly latched onto the woman who stopped before her.

"These are my parents," Boston introduced from beside her.

Ellie jumped, not aware he'd been anywhere in the vicinity.

She hadn't even known he'd followed her from the kitchen.

"Diane, my mother. And Lincoln, my father."

Ellie prayed she didn't faint.

"So, now we finally get a formal introduction?" Diane murmured, her eyes glittering with humor. Then she reached for both of Ellie's hands. "You will not believe how upset I was, thinking none of my boys had given me any grandchildren yet," Diane said, casting an arch look toward her two sons. "I've been on both their cases for years about it. Their sisters were kind enough to obey. But not these two."

Then she grinned, glancing out a window that showed where all the youngsters were still playing.

"Cassie's a complete angel," Diane murmured with adoration thick in her voice. She turned back. "Thank you.

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Thank you so much." Then, to Ellie's utter shock, the woman hugged her.

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