Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(61)

"Chuck and Allison Banks," Helena continued.

Ellie turned form the curious eyes and focused on the couple before her. They looked about as startled as she felt for being singled out in the crowd.

"Er...it's nice to meet you," Allison said, holding out her hand as well as a pitying smile, like she knew exactly how absolutely flustered Ellie was. "Cassie looks just like you."

"Thank you." The two women shook, and Ellie actually felt comforted by the dry, warm fingers that took hers.

"I didn't catch your name," Chuck said, holding out his hand next.

"Ellie," she said. "Elora Trenton."

His gaze sparked with recognition. "Any relation to the Trentons in Olathe? Brad and Glenna?"

"Ah...no. Sorry. Cassie's my only family here in Kansas.

I'm originally from Tennessee, and any Trenton I was related to died years ago."

227

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

Chuck stared at her with an almost comical look of horror.

"I'm sorry," he said instantly. "I didn't mean to—"

Ellie smiled. "It's fine," she said, waving aside his apology.

"There's no reason to apologize."

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 introduce 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."

228

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

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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Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

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

Lincoln Kincaid seemed equally pleased to meet her. "It's an honor to officially meet you, Ellie," he said, looking like the patriarch he was. He had pitch-black hair and tanned skin.

There was just something about him that screamed money and power. But he certainly didn't act like any famous, retired astronaut she'd seen on television. As soon as Diane stopped hugging her, he stepped forward for his turn. Enveloped in another hug, Ellie had to bite back the urge to cry.

Why in God's name were they hugging her like she was a long-lost daughter? She wasn't with Boston anymore. In fact, she'd lied to him and kept his child from him. By rights, these people should hate her.

Not hug her.

As if sensing her slipping control, Boston put a hand on her back. His solid, protective presence, however, only made everything that much harder to handle.

"Is it time to eat yet?" he asked loudly to the room in general. "I'm starving."

His question turned out to be the tension-breaker Ellie needed. Within minutes, people had stepped away from her and given her the space she'd been craving. Food was serious business in this family, she soon learned. The room shifted toward the two long tables that were set out and piled with tasty delights, from turkey to ham, stuffing, vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, and so much more. Then to add to that, there was a smaller table set up to the side holding desserts.