Harlequin Superromance February 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Her Last Protector\A Ranch to Keep\A Family for Tyler by Jeanie London

Author:Jeanie London
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

“JACK!” BETTY BUSTLED toward them like a cheerful locomotive as they climbed out of the pickup. “You brought Samantha!” She pulled Samantha into a welcoming hug, planting a loud kiss on her cheek. “I’m so glad you could join us! What a treat!”

Betty reached out and took Jack by the other arm and walked them both toward the crowd, chattering all the way. “Dan’s here, Samantha. Do you remember him? He owns the Blue Water Grocery, down by the highway? He says he knew you as a little girl. And he told me some story about Jack scaring the pants off you in the store? I tell you, I try to keep this boy in check but he’s just impossible!” She gave Samantha a conspiratorial smile, seemingly unaware of the embarrassed flush that was creeping over her cheeks.

“Thanks, Betty. But I know you love me just the way I am.” Jack planted a smacking kiss on the top of Betty’s head, caught Samantha’s eye and gave her a wink. “You’ll get used to it,” he said. “News definitely travels fast around here.”

They reached the barbecue area on the other side of the driveway from Betty and Jed’s old ranch house. There were several picnic tables, an enormous brick barbecue and a horseshoe pit surrounded by a few pine trees. About forty people crowded around the picnic tables, while children, chasing each other with water balloons, wove through the crowd, shrieking and laughing. It was just another scene from this western movie she’d landed in, Samantha thought, smiling to herself. If Jenna and Tess could see her now, surrounded by folks in cowboy hats, they would not believe it.

“Jack, you go get this one a beer, or a soda or some of that wine you brought by earlier and I’ll introduce Samantha around.” Betty took Samantha’s arm proprietarily.

Jack turned to Samantha. “What’ll it be, Samantha?”

“Just water, thanks.”

“Sticking to the hard stuff, are you?”

Before she could reply to his teasing, Betty swept her off into the crowd. By the picnic tables there were Betty’s sisters, sons, daughters, nieces and a few grandchildren to meet. Next they went to the barbecue area where Jed was grilling what looked to be about five different kinds of beef, surrounded by three rather portly men who Betty introduced as Jed’s brothers. And then they were off again and Betty kept up a steady stream of introductions until Sam was certain she must have met the entire town of Benson, from the local fishing guide to the high school English teacher.

When Jack found her she was sitting on a blanket in the shade of a pine tree and Andrew the teacher had her laughing at stories of his various mishaps in the classroom.

“You enjoying yourself?” he asked as he handed her a bottle of water.

“I’m having a wonderful time. Thank you for bringing me. Everyone is so friendly.” And she meant it. This was fun, surprisingly fun.

“Yeah.” Jack shot Andrew a meaningful glance. “Folks are very friendly around here.

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