His-And-Hers Family by Winn Bonnie K

Author:Winn, Bonnie K.
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

THE TUNE, as they trooped back into the house a few hours later, was a cross between “Raindrops Are Falling on My Head” and “How Wet I Am.”

Clouds had scuttled across the sky as they arrived at the park, dimming the previously bright sunshine, along with a great deal of Cassie’s enthusiasm.

After D.J. and the twins dropped the hamper upside down, spilling all the food into the grass, Blake had heartily insisted the meal was still fine. While everyone was picking blades of grass from the potato salad and between their teeth, a huge wind had come up, sending the tablecloth, the quilts and the paper plates, cups and napkins flying. While everyone tried to catch the scattered debris, Gulliver had chased a nearby cat that turned on the dog, scratched his nose and then chased him through the adjoining picnic sites. Before the kids could corral him, Gulliver had made an even bigger mess of their upturned hamper and debris, not to mention the picnic supplies of several angry strangers.

As they struggled to gather their things, rain had poured suddenly and insistently, soaking them all as they battled the wind to retrieve the runaway quilts and paper goods.

An accusing silence had filled the van as they rode home, everyone shivering in the chill of sodden clothes. Now, as they trooped inside one by one, the Matthews children divided their glares between Cassie and Blake.

“I told you this was a dumb idea,” Kevin threw back over his shoulder before pounding up the stairs.

“Yeah,” the twins chimed, following their brother.

Jimmy Ray headed into the laundry room with the sodden quilts and tablecloth, sending his mother a comforting glance. “You can’t control the weather.”

Blake put the destroyed hamper on the counter. “You’re right about that, Jim.”

Looking pleased that Blake used the shortened version of his name casually, Jimmy Ray came back into the kitchen, taking some fruit from the fridge. “I’ve got a project due next week I’d better work on.”

Smiling wearily, Cassie tapped his arm. “That’s fine Jim—” She stopped before calling him Jimmy Ray. Barely.

Katherine Ann and D.J. trailed in the back door, with a sad-looking Gulliver.

“I think he’s okay, Mama,” Katherine Ann announced. “That cat hurt his pride more than his nose.”

“But I think I’d better take him upstairs with me,” DJ. added.

“Hold on—” Cassie began.

Blake intervened, sensing that Cassie was close to the end of her patience. “Sounds like a good idea. He’ll settle down after he dries out.”

Cassie tried again. “But the wooden floor—”

“I’ll put down lots of towels,” DJ. pleaded. “And he’ll be good.”

Blake waved D.J. and Gulliver toward the back staircase.

“Try not to use the best towels,” Cassie relented, before muttering under her breath, “although all of your towels are good ones.”

“That can be washed,” Blake pointed out.

Cassie leaned back against the island in the middle of the kitchen. “Well, I guess that wasn’t exactly a smashing success.”

“As your son pointed out, you couldn’t control the weather.”

Earnestly Cassie glanced up at him. “But I wanted

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