It would be weird, too, if Natalie burst out with thank God you’re weird, too! So she waved a hand. “It’s totally not weird. Tuesday has tried over the years to teach me how to cook. I’ve managed to master mashed potatoes, but it took her a year of patience to get me that far. To be honest? It stresses me out. I am so bad at it and I fail at it over and over, and every time I pass by my kitchen when I’m trying to learn something, I feel dread and guilt.” And like she couldn’t even be good at that one basic thing. “I think I might just be cursed. Or doomed. Or something equally dire.”

Mary paused and nodded. “That’s fair. I hate it that you’d feel bad about not being able to get it right. Cooking should be fun. I won’t pester you, but if you ever change your mind, let me know.”

“Thanks. But a definite yes on the hanging-out thing. I have a book club here in town. There are about eight of us. We read across a lot of genres and have themes. We potluck at each other’s houses. Of course, I always bring chips and dip. Yes, I’m that person. But they’re a fun, smart group of women. I think you’d fit in well.”

“Oh, I’d like that, thank you.”

She helped clear stuff as Mary put together the dessert.

“I can actually do coffee well. Want me to make some?” Natalie pointed to the coffeemaker.

“Good idea. There’s decaf in that orange container.”

Natalie got that started and moved to join everyone in the dining room. She paused at the doorway, just looking at them all. Paddy and Vaughan sat next to one another, hatching trouble; that much was clear.

“My in-laws are sure to arrive anytime,” Mary said as she came in from the kitchen. “Michael will have kept Sharon away long enough for us to have gotten comfortable.”

“She’ll be nosy, but don’t take it personally.” Damien grinned at his wife.

“Sharon asked me how I’d feel about signing a prenup in the first ten minutes I knew her.”

Paddy got up and moved to her, putting his arms around Natalie’s waist. “She did it to see what Mary’s reaction would be. Stop scaring Natalie.” He looked back at his brothers.

Natalie tried not to panic. She knew it would be a possibility that she’d meet Paddy’s parents, after all. She just had very little experience with mothers. Tuesday’s family had sort of taken her under their wing over the years, but there’d been no mother in her life growing up, and her grandmother was certainly not much of an example. She found mothers mystifying in most cases.

And that’s when the front door opened and a booming voice announced new arrivals.

“Buck up. I promise they’re nice people.” Paddy kissed her forehead, and she managed a smile.

Natalie recognized Paddy’s mom immediately, and some of her nervousness eased.

“Sharon, I had no idea you were Paddy’s mom!” She moved to Sharon Hurley and accepted the hug. She looked over her shoulder to Paddy. “Your mom is one of the community volunteers in one of the elementary schools I visit regularly.”

Sharon shook her head with a grin that looked an awful lot like her son’s. “Natalie. I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together. This is my husband, Michael. Michael, this is Natalie but I don’t know your last name.”

“It’s Clayton. Natalie Clayton. Nice to meet you.” She held her hand out to Michael Hurley, who, Mary had not lied, stood at least six and a half feet tall. His hair was dark like his sons’, but his was salted liberally with gray. He was a big man, broad-shouldered. The kind of hale that men who worked the land tended to be. He took her hand, enveloping it in both of his.

“Pleased to meet you, darlin’.”

“There’s pie.” Mary kissed her mother-in-law’s cheek and then accepted a hug from her father-in-law.

“See? I told you if we waited a bit we’d arrive in time for dessert.” Michael pulled out his wife’s chair and waited for Natalie to sit before he did, as well. Damien got up to help Mary in the kitchen.

Paddy put his arm along the back of her chair and Natalie appreciated the support.

Vaughan snorted. “I was looking forward to Mom making Natalie nervous.” He looked to Natalie, who was trying to figure out if she should be offended or not. “No offense.” His grin was pretty much a carbon copy of his brothers’. “She’s just so devious, it’s fun to watch her in action.”

“Don’t mind him. He was dropped on his head a lot as a baby.” Paddy thumped Vaughan. “So you know my mom?”

It was Sharon who answered instead of Natalie. “I do some mentoring for fourth and fifth graders. We see each other from time to time at the school.” Sharon then smiled at Natalie. “I figured you were a community volunteer, too. I can’t believe I missed that connection.” Sharon looked up at Damien, who brought in a tray of coffee poured into mugs. “Look at your manners. Nicely done, Mary.”

Damien rolled his eyes.

“I did the same thing. I go to a few schools. Sometimes for the library, sometimes on my own. I know everyone by their first name but rarely by their last. Anyway, yes, I know your mom.”

“So she’s been prescreened?” Vaughan teased.

“Vaughan, watch your manners, boy. Your brother is going to punch you in the nose.” Michael forked up some pie and watched his family with an easy smile.

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Paddy added cheerfully.