Page 34 (1/1)

Jack shot his brother a warning look, his fingers curling hard around the edges of the plates "Mary is a hell of a lot more than just a foxy reed, "but the fact is, she’s way out of your league Youto have to count onlike family to rub in the truth, was there? "Nice to know you’re on rinning at hiwith Mary, he added, "And before you ask, I’ to introduce you to any of her friends, either"

"Times like this make me wonder why I ever bothered to cover for you with Mom ere kids," Ethan said as he dropped silverware beside the plates Jack had laid out on the table

But even as they continued to razz each other, Jack could read the subtext of their conversation loud and clear: Even if Ethan couldn’t understand how the engineer and the ether, his brother was happy Jack had found Mary…and he hoped things would work out for the two of them

Spending time with his family had always been Jack’s favorite pastime, especially when, as adults, his brothers’ jobs and et to see each other nearly enough But tonight, while he’d enjoyed catching up with everyone, Jack realized he was looking for excuses to leave so that he and Mary could be alone And when she tried to hide a yawn behind her hand and he realized how beat sheday in front of the TV ca dinner for all of theht, folks"

Ethan looked around at his once-pristine home in dismay Between the meal and Ian’s fort made out of the cushions on his couch, his place was a mess

"What am I supposed to do with all of these dirty pots and pans and dishes? My cleaning lady won’t be back for another few days"

Max grinned at him "We’ll stack them real neat by the sink for you"

A while earlier, Claudia had tucked Ian into thebed with pillows propped up on each side of hian to slowly stand to go get him, but when Mary offered to rouse hihter against Max

Fro rooet to thewhat had her halting, he er to her lips, then pointed to the bed Ian was sprawled on his back, three of his four chubby little limbs spread wide His thumb had found its way into his hetti sauce and the exertions of sleep

Jack had been careful all night long to keep as between theainst hih hers and lifted her hand to his lips

She stared into his eyes, and what he saw in hers hter, even stronger this ti hio and watched her sit gently on the bed beside Ian She stroked his hair back with a soft touch so that the little boy wouldn’t wake too quickly, and Jack wasn’t surprised when the first thing his nephew said after finally opening his eyes was, "Pretty"

Mary smiled down at him "Your mommy and daddy miss you Can I take you to them?"

When the little boy held out his arainst his warm, soft body, Jack’s heart skipped ht was so clear that the stars see on a show in celebration of the beautiful San Francisco winter weather Mary couldn’t re so oodbye to his family, Mary turned to Jack with a smile "What do you say alk off some of that pasta?"

She’d never felt so comfortable--or so completely alive--with anyone else It was just as natural to laugh and talk with Jack as it was to enjoy the quiet night as they made their way down the city sidewalk

"Your faers with his

"They obviously feel the saer being the odd woet that you made dinner so that she could put her feet up for a little while"

"Your brother and his wife seeh like Claudia said, it was a pretty bigin love with her while she was engaged to his best friend He was pretty badly torn up about it I spentdown the bars with higed good looks, each of the brothers she’d ht had very different personalities Max had been the easygoing one Ethan was sharper, darker somehow And Jack, well, not only was he brilliant and focused, but he was also the only one who le with pleasure even before he’d pressed his mouth to hers