Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“You can trust Hersch, Crystal,” Mila said. Did she really think she’d invite someone into their family who would blow a secret wedding operation? And then it occurred to her that she’d trusted Hersch from the beginning. She wasn’t even sure she’d emphasized enough that this first wedding was a deep, dark secret, but she knew as well as she knew her own name that Hersch would never betray them to the media.
Herschel assured Crystal that he would keep the wedding in absolute confidence and was honored to be entrusted with such an important secret. That seemed to mollify Crystal, who said, “If anyone asks about the activity that’s been going on around here, Howie and Betsy are throwing a wedding anniversary party.” She went back to separating out the bows and balloons that had been delivered.
“Dad is loving the subterfuge,” Erin said with a grin. She greeted Hersch with a hug and went to get him a beer.
In the backyard, Mila’s brothers and dad were gathered around the fire pit. Each had a beer in hand, and the family resemblance was striking.
Betsy was setting the table. They’d pulled the picnic table and an extra fold-up patio table together, which they always did when there was a big crowd. Betsy was an old hand at catering for large numbers. She’d been doing it forever. She had a way of pulling together a dinner in no time and somehow making it work. She looked up when Mila called her name and put down the napkins she was folding to come forward.
Mila felt almost shy as she said, “Mom, I want you to meet Herschel Greenfield.”
Betsy shook his hand and gave him her beautiful smile, but Mila could see she was appraising him as well. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Herschel. You’re a man who needs no introduction. I remember how we were all glued to the TV during that terrifying rescue operation.” She put her other hand over the back of his so his hand was sandwiched between hers. “I’m so glad you’re with us today.”
There were so many ways to interpret that. Mila gave her mom credit for being both genuine and tactful.
“Thank you very much for having me, Mrs. Davenport,” Herschel said.
Her mom just patted his hand. “In this house, I’m either Mom or Betsy.”
He laughed. “I’ll choose Betsy.” And then, so softly Mila barely heard him, he said, “For now.”
Then she led him toward the clump of testosterone around the fire pit. The five Davenport men seemed to rock back on their heels and narrow their eyes at Herschel as though they’d planned to do it in sync. She swore that if one of them gave him a hard time, she’d plant her fist in his belly.
Then Howie came forward with his big hand outstretched. “How’s the painting going?”
“I’m very pleased. Your crew are doing a great job.”
Howie nodded, but she could tell he was proud of his work and his employees. “I told them to do an especially good job and do it quickly. Any friend of Mila’s always gets special treatment.”
Hersch said, “I think you’re a good family to know. Everyone in town seems to pull special favors when a Davenport’s involved.”
Howie chuckled at that. “We’ve lived here a long time. Have deep roots in the community. It helps.”
Hersch already knew Arch, and they clapped each other on the back like old friends. She watched as he met Finn and Damien, while Nick, her high-tech billionaire bro, sized him up. She was tempted to join the men to give Hersch support, until Mila felt a hand on her shoulder and found her mom leaning in. “Don’t look so worried. They’re not going to eat him.”
“I think I’m more nervous than he is,” she admitted. “We can be intimidating.”
Betsy chuckled. “We can, but let’s face it, Herschel Greenfield’s dealt with worse.”
Her dad was in his element. While the men, including Hersch, who had a beer in his hand just like the others, stood around, Howie piled things on the barbecue. In a loud voice, he said, “Who put tofu on my platter?”
Erin called, “I did, Dad. You shouldn’t eat so much meat.”
He made a rude noise, but added the tofu to the marinated chicken breasts and the hamburgers and the hot dogs that were grilling away.
* * *
Before long, they took their seats around the big tables to eat. Betsy sighed and said, “It’s so good to have all my children at home at the same time.”
In a booming voice, Finn called, “It’s not every day that you and Dad celebrate your wedding anniversary.” It was loud enough that every nosy neighbor in town could hear him.
Tessa had to cover her mouth to stop her giggles. Any nosy neighbor who’d bothered to peek over the fence might not have been fooled. The way she and Arch were looking at each other, hands held tight, spoke of a deep and abiding love—one that would take any couple down the aisle. Although, Mila had to admit, anybody looking at her mom and dad would reach the same conclusion. Maybe they’d been married for going on forty years, but Howie could never walk past Betsy without touching her on the shoulder or leaning down to kiss her cheek or whisper something private in her ear.