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Micah only nodded.

* * *

Shane was flipping burgers when he spotted Cora’s car on the crest of the hill. It was followed by a truck, which had to be her family.

Shane wasn’t sure why he felt queasy. He was good with people, and Cora’s sister and brother-in-law weren’t likely to hate him on sight.

Probably.

“Looking a little green there, pal,” Gavin offered with a grin. “Worried about the family’s approval? Well, this is serious.”

“Bite me,” Shane muttered without much heat. He wasn’t afraid of serious. Didn’t particularly like getting razzed on it, but he wasn’t afraid.

“Mattie’s parents loved you. Maybe it’ll be good luck if Cora’s family hates you.”

Cora stepped out of her car, offering a smile and a wave. Micah jumped out of the car too, already racing toward Boone.

“Cora isn’t anything like Mattie,” Shane mumbled, watching Cora wait for her sister and brother-in-law to pull two small babies out of the truck’s back seat. Back then he’d loved Mattie, yes, but he’d wanted to marry her because he’d wanted things to be settled. He’d wanted to start his future.

With Cora, he just wanted tobewith her. Much as he could.

“Hey, guys,” Micah said breathlessly, his gaze bouncing from face to face. “Is Molly here? Can I get a ride in?”

Shane couldn’t hide a grin. A kid’s enthusiasm when he was head over heels for horses was hard to beat. “Dinner is just about ready, but I bet if you’re real sweet to her, Molly’ll give you a lesson after we eat.”

“Awesome,” Micah managed, looking back at the approaching Cora and company. “Babies are gross,” he offered, nodding toward the two bundles being carried by a large, bearded man and a woman who looked an awful lot like Cora, down to eye color and sweet dimple. “But my cousins are okay.”

“You want to head over to the stables real quick? I’ll take you over,” Boone offered. “Gotta hear about this bear.”

“It wasgigantic,” Micah said gleefully, and Shane tried to ignore the slight pang of jealousy. Boone would always be infinitely cooler, and Shane just had to accept it.

Micah scurried off with Boone, and Cora approached, looking nervous. He didn’t mind it. “Take over the grill,” he said, handing off the spatula to Gavin.

“Cora got any more sisters?” Gavin asked after a low whistle. “Damn.”

“Manners, idiot,” Shane returned before heading to meet Cora. “Howdy,” he offered, tipping his hat because he knew it would knock at least a little of the nervousness out of her.

She rolled her eyes. “He’s just being a dork. He does not actually say howdy,” she offered to her sister. “Lilly, Brandon, this is Shane. Shane, my sister and her husband, and my niece Grace and my nephew Aiden.”

The bundle of girl yawned. The bundle of boy babbled.

“It’s nice to meet you all. We’re just having a laid-back, picnic-type meal tonight. Everything’s about ready.” He gestured toward the picnic tables where Mom and Molly were setting up.

Mom, as if she could just sense the appearance of new people, hustled over, Ben trudging behind her. “Lilly, Brandon.” Of course Mom already knew them from dealing with Mile High Weddings. “I’m so happy you could come over. And with your little ones.” She held out her arms. “Oh, please let me hold one.”

Brandon transferred the boy lump to Mom, and she sighed happily. “Oh, it’s like I can’t even remember when they were this tiny.” Mom cuddled the baby to her chest while Ben shifted uncomfortably next to her.

“Better, uh, help Gavin with the burgers.” Ben hightailed it to the grill.

“Never had kids of his own. Babies make him squeamish. Well, come on, you two, well four, come eat. Eat, eat, eat,” Mom said, ushering Lilly and Brandon toward the tables while Gavin and Ben took plates of meat to the warmers Molly had set up.

“I should go get Micah,” Cora said, taking a step toward the stables.

Shane stopped her. “I’ll grab him,” he offered, squeezing Cora’s arm. “You load up your plate.”

She smiled up at him, then got to her toes and brushed her mouth across his.

“What did I get that for?”