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“But I don’t think we should tell your mother,” Ginger said.
Joe sighed. “Remember we agreed to talk and act like we’re really married. We wouldn’t keep it secret. It’ll make my mother very happy, I assure you.”
“But she will be upset when we don’t stay married.”
Joe looked around to be sure no one important had overheard Ginger’s words. “Look, Ginger, you mustn’t say things like that.”
She covered her lips and looked around, too. “Joe, I don’t think we should’ve done this. I’m afraid you will get in trouble.”
Joe shook his head. “Too late. Come on, our plane is leaving.”
“But I’m very hungry,” she complained. “I can pay for—”
He swooped down and kissed her. Then, pretending touching her lips had been normal, he said, “No need. Mom is fixing a meal for us.”
Ginger wore a shocked expression on her face. He didn’t think the kiss would elicit that much of a surprise. But in the future he was going to have to be careful, because kissing her, he’d discovered, was a real pleasure. He leaned closer, drawing in her scent. “Remember, we’re married.”
He didn’t give her a chance to respond. He took her hand and led her to the gate where the small plane awaited.
Ginger sat quietly for the next forty-five minutes, greatly relieving Joe’s mind. Once they settled into a routine, things would be easier. But they weren’t there yet.
He’d left his car at the small airport. It took only a few minutes to reach it since their luggage was carry-on. Right on time, he pulled up to his parents’ house. All the cars parked in front told him his brothers and their families were there, too.
He had to warn Ginger, though he knew she wouldn’t like it. “Uh, Ginger, I think my entire family is here tonight. Remember we have to act like we’re married.”
“You have a big family?”
“I have four brothers. I told you they’re all married. Only one doesn’t have any children yet, but his wife is expecting in two months. Just be careful what you say.”
She nodded, though she tightened her lips and set her shoulders, as if she were about to face a hostile crowd.
“And try to look happy,” he added, thinking she might burst into tears at any moment.
They got out of the car and he came to her side. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
When they reached the front door, he hugged her close. “Everything’s going to be great, honey.” He aimed a kiss for her cheek, but she turned to look at him and his lips landed on hers. The contact surprised both of them. On impulse he pressed his mouth against hers, encouraging her to open to him, as if they were lovers. Even more surprising, Ginger didn’t pull away. He pulled her closer, wanting more, and her arms wound around his neck.
He heard the front door open and his mother gasped several times. But he didn’t care. He was kissing his wife.
“Joe! Who is this?” his mother asked.
He released Ginger, his gaze still on her face. “This is my wife.”
Ginger found herself the center of attention, as questions flew fast and furious around her. Joe’s mother seemed happy, his father stared at her and the rest of the people, his brothers and their wives, wanted details.
“Where did you two meet?” one Turner wife asked.
Ginger replied, “At the country club.”
“Oh, are you a member, too? I haven’t seen you.”
“No, I’m not a member. I work there as a waitress.” Though she figured that would upset everyone, she couldn’t lie.
Another woman, who looked vaguely familiar, stepped forward. “Oh, you’re the waitress who’s so patient with the children.”
“You’re right,” another woman said, then turned to Ginger. “I remember you now. I’m Amy, Bill’s wife,” the woman said, holding out her hand.
As Ginger shook her hand, a man stepped up alongside Amy. “Hi, I’m Bill. I’m Joe’s oldest brother.”
Ginger nodded. She stared as the other brothers sorted themselves out and introduced themselves and their wives.
“What’s your last name?” someone asked.
She opened her mouth to say Walton when Joe intervened. “Turner, of course.”
Joe’s father, who introduced himself as Ed, stepped forward. “Welcome to the family, Ginger. You’re mighty pretty.”
“Th-thank you.”
His mother, Vivian, herded everyone to the dining room. “Come along now. I fixed a late dinner for these two and snacks for everyone.”
“Good. Ginger was starving in San Antonio. I know she’ll be glad to eat,” Joe said, beaming.
Actually, Ginger’s hunger had disappeared once she became the center of attention. But to be polite, she nodded and took Joe’s hand and followed everyone else. As she looked at Joe, she wondered why he’d kissed her on the front porch. Had it been for show, or did it mean something to him? And would he repeat it?
Once all the adults were seated around the table, with the children playing in the living room within sight, the questions began again.
“See any good shows in Vegas?” one of the brothers asked.
Ginger looked at Joe, hoping he’d field the questions. She was getting so nervous, she didn’t think she could eat and talk at the same time.
“Nope. We were only there one night.”
“Too much to do, huh?” his brother responded, using his elbow to share the joke with his brother beside him.
Ginger didn’t exactly understand what was so funny. Except that she was starving and too afraid to eat.
“Did you gamble?” one of the other brothers asked. Ginger looked at Joe, hoping he’d provide the answer again.
“Nope. Ginger was too concerned about losing her husband’s money,” Joe told them with a grin. Then he added, “Hey, guys, give Ginger a chance to eat. She can’t talk and eat at the same time.”
“Joe’s right,” Vivian said. Then she turned to Ginger. “And I think you did the right thing, not gambling away Joe’s savings.”
The other men roared with laughter. “Yeah, poor Joe, he’s always broke,” one of them added.
Ginger was horrified. She stared at Joe. Why had he insisted on paying for everything?
“Let’s change the subject,” Joe suggested. “What happened while we were gone? Any word on that stolen baby?”
Joe was sitting next to Ginger and he felt the tension rise in her even more. He hadn’t thought anything would be more terrifying than his family. He looked at Ginger sharply as his father answered his question.
“No, no word on the baby. I’m beginning to think the mother stole her. Maybe changed her mind about giving her up.”
“No!” Ginger exclaimed. “No, she wouldn’t do that!”
Everyone stared at her. Joe tried to think of something to say, but fortunately his sister-in-law Amy came to the rescue.
“I think Ginger’s right. That’s not something a mother would do. I agree, Ginger.”
“Me, too,” his mother agreed. “But I’m sure someone will find the baby soon, unless…”
Joe was afraid Ginger was going to cry, though he didn’t know why. “Uh, did I tell you they’re scheduling the reopening of the Men’s Grill at the club for next Saturday? I’m proud of the work I did, along with Jenny. I hope you’re all going to be there.”
Ginger looked at him. “Who is Jenny?”
Joe’s eyebrows shot up. Ginger almost sounded like she was jealous. Maybe she had more acting ability than he’d thought. “Jenny Taylor. She’s the interior designer who’s been working on the Men’s Grill with me.”
“Oh.”
Bill, Joe’s longest-married brother, said, “Don’t worry, Ginger. She’s nice, but you’re prettier. Besides, Joe chose you.”
Ginger tried to smile, but she wasn’t very successful.
Joe slid his arm around her. “You bet I did. I’ve had my eye on Ginger ever since I got back.”
“You sure didn’t let any of us in on it,” his father pointed out.
“I wasn’t going to introduce her to my brothers until after I had a ring on her finger.”
“Oh, I forgot to look at your ring,” Kitty, his youngest sister-in-law, exclaimed.
Suddenly all the gazes in the room were fixed on Ginger’s left hand. Ginger proudly wore the plain gold band Joe had bought her in Vegas, but Joe knew what to expect.
“What happened, Joe?” Bill exclaimed. “Did all your investments crash?”
Ed coughed, and Bill turned to look at him. “You’re embarrassing the newest Mrs. Turner, son.”
Ginger looked at his mother, and Joe leaned over to whisper, “They’re talking about you, sweetheart.” Then he couldn’t help himself. He kissed her again, lightly this time, since everyone was looking.
“I’m planning on buying her some diamonds, but we did this so suddenly, I didn’t want to buy diamonds in Vegas. I’ll go to the jewelry store here in Mission Creek tomorrow.”
“You need any help, ask me, son,” Ed offered.
When his brothers all protested, Joe grinned and held up one hand to quiet them. Then he turned to his father. “No, Dad, I’ve got it taken care of.” Joe looked at Ginger, who sat silently.
As his brothers continued to tease him, Ginger said softly, “I don’t need diamonds. Joe is—”
Afraid she was going to say the wrong thing, he kissed her again. “Thanks, sweetheart. See, guys, I didn’t marry a greedy woman.”
His mother congratulated him.
“Are you sure you don’t want to spend the night here?” Vivian Turner asked one more time.
Joe had already refused her offer once, which was a great relief to Ginger. She wanted to go home and get ready for work tomorrow. She was exhausted.
“Thanks, Mom, but I think we’ll get settled in. And thanks for dinner,” Joe said.
Ginger hurriedly thanked her also. Not that she’d eaten much. Her nerves were strung so tight, she couldn’t. But she had peanut butter and crackers at home, which would hold her over until tomorrow.
Once inside the car, she lay her head back on the headrest, trying to calm down. All in all, she thought, the day hadn’t gone too bad. Joe’s parents and his brothers were nice people, good people, who had tried hard to make her comfortable. And she had been—until Ed mentioned the kidnapped baby.
Ginger hoped her reaction didn’t red-flag anyone’s attention. But she knew the baby’s mother hadn’t stolen her back. She knew because the baby’s mother was her best friend and fellow waitress at the Lone Star Country Club, Daisy Parker.
She stole a glance at Joe, checking his facial expression, as if he could read her mind. His eyes were steadfastly on the road ahead.
Ginger recalled the day Daisy had confided in her that she was baby Lena’s mother and had had no choice but to leave the child on the golf course where she knew she’d be found, and then taken care of. Ginger hadn’t judged her friend, only offered comfort to the obviously distraught woman.
She told no one about Daisy—with one exception—and she silently admonished herself for revealing the truth to a man who’d held her at knife-point in the lot of the country club a couple of months ago. But she’d been terrified and afraid for her life. Now, again, Daisy’s secret was safe with her, she’d tell no one, not even Joe.
As if to steel herself in her vow, she took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh.
“You okay?” Joe asked. “It’s been a long day. I bet you’re exhausted. I’m sorry about all the commotion tonight. I’d thought it would just be Mom and Dad.”
“It was very nice,” she said, staring through the windshield.
“How about we go straight home tonight? Tomorrow we’ll take care of things.”
“Yes, thank you.”
She wasn’t sure what those things were, but she was ready to call it a night—until she realized Joe had missed the turn to her apartment.
“Where are we going? You needed to turn back there.”
“No, sweetheart. My condo is two more blocks ahead. I live in the Blue Shades complex.”
“But I do not!”
Joe sighed. “We’re married. That means we live together.”
“But I don’t have clean clothes. And I need my uniform for the morning,” she said firmly, feeling like an idiot for not realizing what was going to happen.
Joe turned at the next street corner and headed back the other way. “Okay, we’ll go to your place and you can pack what you need for tomorrow. We’ll get the rest of your stuff later.”
“Do you have enough room for me?”
He grinned at her. “I have a lot more room than you do. By the way, where do you sleep? I never saw a bed.”
