Worth the Fall (The McKinney Brothers, #1)(80)

Chapter 32


Matt led Abby up the sidewalk to a red brick two-story house surrounded by mature trees and manicured bushes that softened the edges and added color. He carried a sleeping Charlie while keeping one hand firmly on the small of her back. Jack was still firing questions at Tony about airplanes and Gracie was talking Beth’s ear off. Annie had a death grip on Abby’s hand. Abby could relate and she hesitated three steps from the front door.

This was big. This was huge. This wasn’t just bringing a woman home. This was bringing a hugely pregnant woman with four kids home. What if they thought she’d gotten pregnant after Josh died? What if they thought she was a skanky ho trying to trap their son? Or what if his parents just wanted their son to have his own children?

As if he’d heard her thoughts, Matt pulled her closer against his side.

“They’re going to love you. Stop worrying.” He gave her an extra squeeze and a swift kiss on the side of her head.

But she was worrying. She couldn’t help it. Like she’d told Angie, she’d never been taken home to meet the family, hadn’t been the kind of kid to get invited over to other people’s houses. Another first with Matt.

The front door opened and a tall, gray-haired man stepped back, ushering them inside.

“Hey, Dad,” Matt said.

He clapped his son on the back. “Come in, come in.”

They piled in out of the cold just far enough for the front door to close, then stopped in the entryway. The warmth and aroma of baking assaulting her. She recognized the man from Matt’s photos and the woman Matt kissed on the cheek as his mother.

“I better check on my little hellions,” Tony said.

“They’re angels.” Matt’s mother kissed Tony and hugged Beth as Beth slipped by to follow her husband.

Everyone belongs here but you.

“You must be Abby,” Matt’s father said, leaning to kiss her cheek. “I’m Anthony. We’re glad you could make it.” He stepped back and gave her a long look. “You know what they say about Irish eyes, don’t you?”

The flutters of nerves made it hard for her to speak. “Um, no, sir.”

“A woman with Irish green eyes has a heart of gold.”

She barely had a chance to digest his words before he introduced his wife.

“This is my wife, Margaret, Matt’s mother.”

His mother was of medium height with light brown hair and brown eyes she felt certain were sizing her up.

“Call me Marge. Everyone does.”

She was polite enough, but no kisses on the cheek like his dad. “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you so much for having us.”

A look passed between Matt and his mom and she patted his cheek lightly. Abby couldn’t read the meaning, but Matt didn’t seem bothered by it. She hated how much she wanted his mother to like her. It was foster home tryouts all over again.

“And who’s this little one?”

“This is Charlie. He’ll warm up in a bit,” Matt told his mom. Charlie was awake now but hiding his face in Matt’s neck.

Matt took his hand from Abby’s back, leaving a cold spot. He draped his arm around Annie, and she clasped his hand tightly to her chest with both of hers, like a security blanket.

“I’m Jack, but my real name is Jackson. Or you can call me Jackson Moore, but that’s only if I do something really bad, but I’m not, because I’m ’spose to be very good on this trip.”

Abby hoped her pasted-on smile didn’t waver. Please don’t let me need to use that name over the next four days.

Matt’s mother knelt in front of Gracie and Annie. “Hi, girls. I’m Matt’s mother.”

“I’m Gracie. My panties says I’m four, but I’m not. I’m fwee.” Gracie looked right at Matt’s mom. “What does your panties say?”

Mortified, Abby held her breath until everyone laughed. Okay. Breaking the ice. That’s good.

“I was just about to roll out some cookie dough. Would you two like to help me?”

Gracie couldn’t have been more excited, and she eagerly took Marge’s hand.

“Everyone calls me Grandma, so you do the same.”

Gracie gazed up, giving Matt’s mother a smile that could tame a lion. “I wuv having a grandma.”

Marge offered her other hand to Annie.

“No, thank you,” Annie said, and melted farther into Matt’s side.

“Are you sure? I have some ready to decorate too.”

Matt cupped Annie’s cheek, the one not plastered against his thigh. “I think she’ll hang with me, Mom. Maybe later.”

Good Lord, I love this man.

They moved into the great room, where a crowd had gathered. Most likely waiting to see what Matt had picked up at the beach. Damn, she wanted Matt’s hand, but Annie didn’t look like she was letting go anytime soon.

“Jack,” Matt’s dad said, “all the boys are down in the basement setting up the train if you want to go.”

“Can I?” Jack said, looking up at Matt.

“Sure, bud. It’s right there.” Matt pointed to a door leading to the basement and Jack was gone. “I’m surprised that old thing’s still running.”

While they talked trains, two women introduced themselves.