Page 161 of Preacher Man

"You're forgetting the small detail of introducing a wife to your family..."

"Oh, yeah. I knew I was forgetting something." The bastard grinned, taking them both up the front stoop to the porch. "Seriously, don’t be nervous, alright?”Well, just because he asked so nicely. She rolled her eyes and mentally prepared herself. It had been two days since they’d seen Jamie, what with trying to get into her routine of work again, moving her few things over to Preacher’s house - her house now - and chasing up the CPS about visitation with Sebastian there hadn’t been time to see Preacher’s parents. Ruby had been quietly glad; her nerves were about to send her to the local loony hospital. She could do this.

What was the worst that could happen?They can hate me on sight.Yeah, that. Her belly muscles clenched together in a tight knot of apprehension, taking a deep breath before Preacher paused at the door, turning his massive body fully towards her, his head cranked down and their foreheads touched. “Beautiful, they’re going to love you, and even if they don’t, this is you and me, remember? Other people’s opinion ain't worth anything.”

“I think your parent's opinions matter, Asher.” She whispered. She wanted them to like her, but who in their right mind could approve a daughter-in-law they’d never met and hadn’t even been invited to their quickie wedding? Yeah, all black checks in the Ruby column.

“Asher Priest, are you bringing your girl in sometime today?” A sudden feminine voice from inside yelled. Ruby stilled and flashed a panicked look up at Asher who only grinned. “We’re waiting for you to grill, you know your father charcoals everything, and I want to meet her.”

“Busted.” He chuckled then rose his voice “Coming in now, Ma.”

Oh, god. No time to cut and run.

Turns out, there was absolutely nothing to worry about. Not much, anyway. Asher’s parents, Birdie, a medium built woman with a mop of golden brown hair caught up in a messy bun, wearing jeans and a flowing gypsy top and bright orange flip flops enfolded Ruby into a tight hug the moment they were through the door, even before she greeted her son, Ruby saw his mom’s eyes all over her, assessing unostentatiously like she could see right down to Ruby's flaws, counting them up to see if she was good enough for her middle child, then Birdie smiled and she smiled big. “Look at this, I waited years for a daughter and this big mammoth I was in labor with forty-three and a half hours brings me home the prettiest one making all that screaming worthwhile. It’s so nice to meet you, Ruby. You can call me Birdie or mom.”

Oh, wow. Some of Ruby’s heart palpitations downgraded from a screaming roar to a dull riot.

“I’m very pleased to meet you, too, Mrs--- Birdie.”And I’m sorry I married your son sneakily and sorry if you disapprove, I love him very much, only he doesn’t know that yet because we have one of those Harlequin marriages of conveniences.She smiled and accepted the hug, watching how Asher nodded as if to saytold you so, wife.

Next came his father. Asher had told her a little about his family history. Somehow the salt and pepper haired man who came in from the back yard wearing an ‘it’s not skill, it’s my superpower’cream apron, and a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, face stubble, and a cute paunch belly could ever be the same philandering man Asher had described. He resembled a professor instead of owner of a construction company. He was wearing sandals without socks for goodness sake. Ruby bit back a smile as he appraised her. “Is this our Ash’s girl?”

“Hey, Pop. This is Ruby.” He walked up to his dad. What was it about men embracing that did mushy things to her belly? There was so much love in this family and she’d only been inside all of two minutes. Asher with his arm around his mom’s shoulder, she had hers around his waist beaming a smile like she’d just found the end of a rainbow. Did they not mind he got married in secret? A supportive family? … huh … she’d heard of those, thought they were an urban legend, turns out it lived at the Priest house. “It’s so very nice to meet you, sweetheart. You don’t mind I call you sweetheart? Birdie tells me it’s sexist.”

“It is, Maxie.” Interjected his wife.

“It’s friendly, Birdie. Who can object to a fella being friendly, I ask you?” He winked at his wife but turned his attention back onto Ruby. He didn’t hug her but kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, dear. Taking on our Ash …you might just be our favorite daughter-in-law, that’s a big job.” His brown eyes twinkled with mirth.

“Wow, thanks, Pop. I’ve been telling Ruby how nice you all are.”

“Gotta tell it like it is, son. Now take these before it causes a divorce; mine.” He handed over the tongs, “Your mother has no faith in my grilling skills, I cause one little grill fire and I’m branded a danger forever-fuckin’-more. And allow me to get to know your wife.”

“I favor meat over coal, Maxie.” Birdie announced.

“You okay, Rubes, while I go grill some undisclosed possibly already decimated meat?” Asked Preacher.

“Of course, she is.” Insisted Maxwell. “Let’s go and get you a drink, sweetheart.” Asher’s dad’s cuteness kept on coming when he threaded his arm through Ruby’s steering her towards what she thought was the kitchen, she smiled dazed across at Asher “Yeah, I’m good.” He flashed a smile. Gorgeous man.

“You like Tequila?” Maxwell asked. She blinked. Oh shit, it was one in the afternoon.

What else could she say? “Absolutely.” When faced for the first time with the in-laws you drank paint thinner if that’s what was on offer.

He gave her the sweetest older man smile. “Good! Birdie, looks like we’re having Margaritas with the steaks, they’re our Ruby’s favorite, apparently.” He lied making her giggle.

Our Ruby.

Fucking hell. Her heart was melted snow. These people had known her all of five minutes and had taken her in, hadn’t thrown one accusatory word at her for taking their son.

Preacher saw her smile and winked his support again. God, she just wanted to soak against his chest, to feel his skin on hers, and maybe kiss the hell out of that mouth she was addicted to.

Nerves aside, now it looked like she was about to get drunk with her father in law.

“Let Tyler know it’s time to eat soon, he’s texting some girl in his room, though he doesn’t know I know.” Birdie told Preacher, who halted in the doorway.

“The little shit is home? Is he skipping school? I’ll knock his block off.”

“Thatlittle shithas a day off and a 4.0 GPA, Son, unless he turns into the professor, there’s nothing higher he can achieve. Plus, didn't you hear, he's texting a g-i-r-l.” Birdie chuckled, Ruby could see how proud she was.

“Still might knock his block off.” An amused Preacher answered and took off into the back yard. Gorgeous citrus and BBQ smells wafted from outside. Her stomach groaned.

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