Back on Blossom Street (Blossom Street #4)(108)

Susan nodded, then looked away. “The family would like to thank you.”

“For washing the dishes? No, really—”

“Not for that,” Susan said, interrupting her, “but for the way you handled everything the day of the wedding. You were the only one who thought of calling the sheriff’s office, for instance.”

Alix shrugged off the praise. “When you’ve dealt with the police as much as I have, it’s second nature to expect them in every situation.”

Susan laughed, and then Jordan came into the kitchen. “People are starting to leave, Mom.”

“Oh, thanks,” she said, hugged Alix and left.

Jordan was grinning from ear to ear.

“What’s so funny?” Alix wanted to know.

Jordan slid his arms around her waist. “You’re pretty incredible, Alix Turner.” He grinned again. “Pretty and incredible.”

“Yeah, right.”

“You think I’m joking?”

She had to admit she enjoyed listening to him sing her praises, deserved or not.

“I don’t know what you did to win over my mother, Alix, but she’s had a complete turnaround.” Jordan arched his brows. “Are you going to tell me how you did it?”

Wrapping her arms around him, Alix smiled. “It was easy. All I had to do was love her son.”

Jordan kissed her then, and it wasn’t the short, affectionate kisses they so often shared in public or when family members were nearby. Her husband kissed her the way he had on their wedding day, the kiss of a man utterly captivated by the woman he’d married.

Alix leaned her head against Jordan’s shoulder and looked out the kitchen door at the family gathered to honor the life of Sarah Turner. Many of them were people she barely knew, people she’d met once or twice before. Some of their names escaped her at the moment, and yet they were her family now. Not Jordan’s brother or his cousins and uncles and aunts. Their cousins, uncles and aunts.

For the first time in her adult life, Alix belonged.

CHAPTER 40

Colette Blake

Elizabeth Sasser invited Colette and Christian to dinner five days after his return from China. Since then, she and Christian had spent practically every minute together. He’d accompanied Colette to her ultrasound appointment and then to her doctor’s, where he listened to his child’s heartbeat. Already he was enthralled with the idea of becoming a father.

Colette was no longer working. Susannah had been sympathetic—and very excited for her. Chrissie, who was out of school now, would be filling in. Colette had offered to work out her two-week notice, but Susannah had said it wasn’t necessary.

Elizabeth had invited Christian’s father, Elliott, for dinner that same evening.

On Friday night, Elliott had arrived before Christian and Colette. The minute they pulled up outside the house, he stepped onto the porch to welcome them.

He smiled approvingly when Christian slipped his arm around Colette’s waist and guided her up the walkway.

“You’re looking considerably healthier,” Elliott commented. “And happier.”

“I am,” Christian assured his father.

“Are they here?” Elizabeth asked, poking her head out the front door. She smiled when she saw them on the porch, then frowned at Christian and shook her head. “You’re late.”

“Aunt Elizabeth, I am not late.”

“Dinner’s on the table,” she said as though to prove him wrong.

The dining room had been set with a lace tablecloth, plus the china and silverware from the display cabinet. Doris had already carried in the serving dishes. In the center of the table was a sirloin roast, new red potatoes and fresh asparagus. The rolls appeared to be homemade.

“This looks delicious,” Colette said as Christian drew out a chair for her.

He sat next to Colette and clasped her hand. It felt good to be linked to him, good and right.

After the blessing was given by Elliott, the serving dishes were passed around.

Elizabeth helped herself to a generous portion of roast beef, then set the plate down and glared at Christian. “Well? Are you going to keep me in suspense all night?” she demanded.

“Suspense about what?” Christian asked innocently. Beneath the table and out of view, he squeezed Colette’s hand.

“Are you going to marry the girl or not?”

Elliott seemed equally interested in his response.

“We’re talking about it.” Christian glanced at Colette. “In other words, we’re still negotiating.”

“Negotiating,” his aunt repeated scornfully. “Marriage is a commitment, not a contract to be negotiated.”

“What’s important, son,” Elliott began, sounding far calmer than his aunt, “is that you two love each other. And just seeing you together, I can tell that you do.”

“Of course he loves her,” Elizabeth said irritably. “And she loves him.”

“Then they’ll reach the decision to marry in their own good time,” Elliott assured the older woman.

Elizabeth picked up her fork. “Unfortunately, time is of the essence,” she muttered and dug into her beef.

“Now, Elizabeth, be patient,” Elliott cautioned. “You’re going to be around for a lot of years yet.”