Nevvie, at the sink washing dishes, clamped her lips together and tried to calm her rolling stomach. At least when washing dishes she didn’t have to face as many people and it gave her an excuse to hide out in the kitchen.
“Nothing’s wrong.” Nevvie glanced at the window and the glass reflected Emily’s blue eyes glaring at her back.
Tyler unfortunately chose that moment to reappear. “How is everything? Need any help?”
Peggy sensed the impending storm. “Everything’s fine, Tyler. Go sit and watch football with the boys and stay out of trouble.”
Nevvie slowed her hands, submerging the baking dish and scrubbing at non-existent grime, biding her time. In the window she watched Tyler’s reflection hesitate, then finally retreat down the hallway.
April put the finishing touches on a casserole and gently nudged into the sink next to Nevvie to wash her hands. “Why don’t you come help me set the table?” she whispered.
Nevvie anxiously nodded and finished with the last pot, rushing to follow April.
In the dining room, April caught Nevvie’s eye across the table and smiled as they spread one of the table cloths.
“It’s okay,” April whispered. “It’ll be fine.”
Nevvie nodded, fighting yet another bout of nervous tears. Ever vigilant, Tyler appeared in the dining room and took one look at Nevvie.
“April, may I borrow my girl for a moment?”
“See if you can calm her down, Ty.”
Tyler took Nevvie’s hand and quickly led her down the hall, away from the kitchen to the back door, onto the porch. Out of sight of the others, Tyler wrapped his arms around Nevvie, whispering to her, kissing her, trying to soothe her.
“Emily hates me already. I can feel it.”
“It doesn’t matter, love. Truly.”
“It matters to me. I wish he’d tell her and get it over with—”
“What’s going on?” Nevvie jumped at the sound of Emily’s strident voice, ripping herself out of Tyler’s arms and turning to wipe her face.
Tyler faced Emily and headed her off. “Nothing, everything’s fine, Em. Holidays are rough on her…”
Nevvie lost their voices as Tyler wrangled Emily into the house. Spying the back steps, Nevvie raced off the porch, down the hill to the pond, losing sight of the house. Wearing only jeans and a T-shirt in the chilly air, she shivered. She sat on an upturned canoe and drew her legs to her chest. With her arms wrapped around her knees she rocked, trying to comfort herself.
This was a mistake. A huge mistake.
She didn’t know how long she sat there when she heard footsteps in the dried grass behind her. Sensing it was one of her boys she didn’t turn to see who. He stood behind her—Thomas—and she closed her eyes as he draped his jacket over her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her.
“You okay, sugar?”
“No.”
“Don’t worry about Emily.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“It’s all right. Come back to the house. Please? Look, I promise, as soon as we finish dinner, I’ll tell them.”
She looked at him. “You’re scared of Em, aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “Not scared. But I remember how she reacted when I broke the news about Tyler.” He hesitated. “I’m hoping at least we can have a nice dinner before she goes storming out in a holy huff.”
She let him take her hand and lead her to the house. On the back porch he put his arms around her.
“Just breathe. It’s only a weekend. We’ll get it out in the open and go home Monday.”
“Okay.”
She stopped by the bathroom to wash her face. Again Tyler startled her when she opened the door.
“Will you quit doing that!” she angrily hissed, pushing past him.
“I’m sorry, love, but I’m concerned.”
She took a deep breath. This wasn’t his fault. “I’m sorry.”
He brushed the hair from her face. “It’s all right.” Then he kissed her forehead. “Relax.”
Nevvie gave Emily a wide berth. Katie’s previously welcoming air soon chilled after Emily had a private word with her in the dining room.
Apparently Cheryl was out of the loop because she still chatted with Nevvie.
At dinner, Thomas and Tyler flanked Nevvie, occasionally patting her leg under the table to reassure her. The other men were oblivious to any problems, chatting and joking with everyone. Emily and Katie made a point of ignoring Nevvie, other than shooting her evil looks from across the table. After everyone ate their fill, Peggy stood to clear the table and Nevvie jumped to help.
Nevvie automatically took up her secure position at the sink to wash while Peggy went back for more dishes. Nevvie heard someone walk into the kitchen. In the window reflection she spied Emily and Katie.
They walked to the sink to dump their dishes and Nevvie tried to calm her stomach as the women glared at her.
Emily finally broke the uncomfortable silence. Keeping her voice low she said, “I don’t know who the hell you are, but if you think I’m going to let you go screw up his relationship with Tyler, think again.”
Katie tag-teamed her from the other side. “Maybe you see them as a meal ticket, but he loves Tyler. They’ve had a good thing for a lot of years now. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave them the fuck alone.”
Nevvie’s heart raced, panic threatening. “What?”
“I saw you,” Emily snarled. “I saw you with Tyler on the porch, and the way he’s been watching you all afternoon. Now I don’t agree with my brother’s lifestyle, but I damn sure won’t let some skank come in and—”
“What’s going on?” Cheryl carried two serving bowls.
Katie looked at her. “We’re putting an end to something.”
“What?”
Emily pointed at Nevvie. “This little witch is trying something with Tyler.”
April and Karen entered, carrying dishes. “What’s going on?” Karen asked. April looked worried.
Cheryl shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Emily said. “We’re going to show this little tramp she can’t screw with our baby brother.”
Karen pushed in, trying to separate Emily from Nevvie. “What the hell is your problem? You leave her alone.”
“Leave her alone? She’s trying get something on with Tyler!”
April added her two cents, taking Nevvie’s other side. “You girls have the wrong end of the stick on this one, and I strongly suggest you let it go.”
Cheryl, still confused, watched them like a tennis match. “Would someone please explain what the hell is going on?”
Nevvie panicked, unable to deal with the rising voices and angry words as the women faced off. She bolted for the kitchen doorway and ran smack into Thomas, coming to investigate the fuss.
Seeing Nevvie’s state he pulled her to him. “What the hell is going on?” he yelled.
All the women quieted except Nevvie, who cried against him.
Emily glared at Nevvie. “That little tramp—”
“Don’t you dare call her that!” he yelled. Tyler rushed into the kitchen. “Take her,” Thomas said, handing Nevvie off. Tyler pulled her to him, trying to soothe her.
Thomas advanced on his sisters, pointing at Emily. “Don’t you ever talk to or about her like that again, do you hear me?”
Katie found her voice first. “Tommy, you don’t understand, Em saw her! That little bitch—”
“Belt up, both of you! Just shut your bloody gobs!” Tyler’s uncharacteristically enraged outburst brought Peggy and the others to the kitchen doorway and shocked the other women into silence. Peggy stood firm, not allowing anyone else in, hushing them.
“If anyone doesn’t understand,” Thomas growled, “it’s the two of you.”