Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Hello,” he said.
“Matthew!” Luc exclaimed, extending his hand. “This is unexpected.”
Matthew shook his hand, his eyes never leaving mine.
“It’s not every day you get introduced to the new member of the family,” Matthew said. “I mean, how often do you get to meet your older sister for the first time when you’re already grown up?” He held out his hand to me. “Hello, Ashley.”
I felt his firm grip wrap around my fingers.
“Hi, Matthew.”
Our gazes never wavered. He smiled again. “Come on in. Everyone is waiting.”
Inside, I was greeted by Heather and Reed, Richard and Katy. I was hugged and welcomed. I returned their greetings with a smile, hoping my nervousness didn’t show. Grace was there, sitting on the sofa holding her daughter, and she offered me a tentative smile.
“Ashley,” she said simply.
“Grace.”
Her husband stood and shook my hand. He was tall, dark, and brooding. Serious. His voice was a low baritone as he greeted me. He was intimidating until Kylie began to babble, and then his face broke out into a wide smile and he lifted her into his arms.
He was devastatingly handsome.
“Close your mouth,” Luc chided me. “He’s not that great.”
“Hmmph,” I replied, catching Grace’s eye. I lifted my eyebrows, and she did the same, a silent moment of appreciation running between us. I relaxed a little.
Katy exclaimed over her flowers, and Richard was pleased with his scotch. A drink was pressed into my hand, and Katy announced brunch was ready. We sat down, and I was pleased to see Matthew seated beside me. Huge platters of eggs, sausage, and bacon were passed around. Hash browns were apparently a favorite with this family, and I almost clapped my hands in delight at the selection of bagels.
“You like bagels, Ashley?” Katy asked with an amused smirk.
Luc laughed. “They’re in their own food group for her.”
Richard laughed. “That’s my kid, all right.”
I froze, wondering how everyone would take that statement.
Matthew snorted. “Great. Already the favorite.”
I began to protest, and he shook his head with a dramatic sigh. “I move another spot down on the family tree.”
Heather groaned. “Don’t listen to him, Ash. He’s everyone’s favorite. Mom’s because he’s the baby. Dad’s because he looks like him.”
“Only handsomer,” Matthew interjected.
She ignored him and kept talking as if he hadn’t spoken. “Gracie because he sucks up to her. He’s spoiled by all of us. He always has been.”
Matthew shook his head. “Not my fault Mom and Dad kept having kids until they got one they liked. Me. You notice they finally stopped. Deal with it.”
Everyone chuckled, but I felt the flicker of worry.
“I’m not trying to—”
Matthew waved his hand. “It’s inevitable. You’re new. You’re going to find all of Dad’s stupid jokes funny. All of his old ad stories fascinating. His anecdotes clever. You’re fresh meat.” He patted me on the arm. “It’ll wear off. Soon, you’ll find him as boring as we do. You’ll fall in rank too.”
Richard sputtered. “I’m not boring. Your mother doesn’t find me boring, do you, Katy?”
Katy looked at me with a not-so-subtle wink. “Never.”
“You laugh at my jokes! You love my stories!” he protested, looking aghast.
Matthew snorted. “It’s habit, Dad. Face it. Boring. I’m telling you—you’re not all that and a bag of potato chips.”
I tried not to laugh at Richard’s expression. Jaxson was smirking, trying to hide his amusement. Reed was shoveling eggs into his mouth like a starved man, concealing his grin.
Heather began to chuckle. “Leave it to Matty to tell it like it is.”
Matthew nudged me. “You should pick me as your favorite too. I’m quiet but deadly.”
“You don’t seem so quiet, to be honest,” I responded. “Bit of a shit disturber if you ask me.”
He began to laugh. “I like this one, Dad. Good job as far as surprise siblings go.”
“Thanks, Matthew,” Richard said dryly.
And suddenly, the whole table was laughing. Even Grace smiled.
I relaxed a little bit more.
Matthew handed me a bowl of fruit, leaning close. “Am I your favorite yet?” he whispered.
“Pretty close.”
“Excellent.”
Brunch went well. I helped with dishes after, listening to the camaraderie around me. The siblings teased one another, the jibes and jokes constant. Grace was quiet, still holding herself back, and I understood her hesitation. I knew it was going to take some time for us to get to know each other. Penny and Gavin did a Zoom call, and I sat beside Richard, feeling slightly overcome at meeting two more members of the family. A couple of months ago, I was alone in the world aside from Luc, and suddenly, I had an entire group of people I was related to.
Penny was friendly, grinning at me on the screen. “This is an occasion.” She smirked wryly. “For Matthew to take a break from his beloved hospital to fly to Ontario? Mom must be beside herself.”
Richard chuckled. “It’s been a good weekend for your mom.” He glanced at me with a smile. “For me too.”