Page 64 of Hand Picked
“We would have had a parental release signed before his interview aired,” Genevieve grumbled. “Obviously.”
“What’s going on here?” Jack stalked out of the back, pulling on a sweatshirt. It looked like he hadn’t slept all night.
“Official town business!” Mayor York said happily.
“Handfasting business,” Genevieve confirmed with a nod.
Jack looked at Webb’s furious face, then at me, standing in front of Aiden like a human shield, and he scowled. “Right, this has gone far enough. Do your handfasting business on your own time, Ernie. Not in my diner.”
“But, Jack—”
Jack’s usual friendly demeanor was nowhere to be found. “Let the Sundays eat their meals in peace. Call it family values,” he suggested. He clapped the mayor on the shoulder while I tried not to chin-wobble in response to being inadvertently included in the Sunday family.
Ernie nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. My office definitely cares about families enjoying breakfast uninterrupted. From now on, Genevieve and I will catch up to the happy couple elsewhere. Have a good day, everyone.”
I imagined them pounding on the door to my camper and wished I could take back my outburst.
“Or you could give up this whole Hand-Fast Watch thing!” Webb called.
The mayor pretended not to hear him as he and Genevieve hustled out the door.
As I sat back down, I could feel all of the Sundays—heck, maybe everyone in the restaurant—staring at me, but I couldn’t meet their gazes. I felt weirdly embarrassed, likeI’dbeen the one to cause the scene.
I forced a smile. “Aiden, how are those pancakes? I—”
Webb pushed his chair back from the table with a screech and stood. He took a single step in my direction, and before I’d had a chance to process what he was doing, let alone protest, he’d grabbed me by the back of the neck, hauled me against him, and kissed me quickly but soundly, right there in front of everyone.
“Thank you for standing up for my boy,” he murmured against my lips before he pulled back a second later.
“Oh,” I said articulately. My heart fluttered against my chest, and my cheeksburned. “That’s… I… oh.”
I was maybe a teeny bit going to need a fainting couch. I looked around just in case Panini Jack’s had a heretofore unseen historical theme that might lend itself to a purpose-built chaise.
No luck. I tried to catch my breath and find some chill.
No luck with that either.
My emotions were riding a roller coaster, and there seemed to be no end to the ride.
Webb had just kissed mein public.
In front of his entire family.
And there would be no doubt in any observer’s mind—not that anyone around here seemed inclined to doubt anyway—that Webb and I were a couple forreal.
Webb nodded, like he’d done what he’d intended, then let me go and returned to his seat. “Easy on the chocolate, Aiden,” he warned. “I told you this breakfast was a treat, but if you start licking the plate, we’re gonna have words.”
“But, Dad!” Aiden exclaimed. I could see the excitement in his eyes. “You just kissed Mr. Wil—”
“Drink your milk,” Webb said quickly, while Knox helpfully clapped a hand over Aiden’s mouth before he could say anything else. The same excitement danced in Knox’s eyes, too. And Gage’s… and Drew’s… and I was not going to look at anyone else at the table in case I completely lost my ability to process oxygen.
“He was just saying thanks for looking out for you, kiddo,” Knox said. “That’s all.”
Aiden’s eyes were big when he nodded. As Knox pulled his hand away, Aiden couldn’t help but blurt, “Mr. Williams is the best!”
Gage threw back his head and laughed. “He sure is, buddy. I love this town. I love this diner. And I seriously love this family.”
I bit my lip and grinned down at my eggs. I was pretty sure I did, too.
