But when he leaned down, murmured something soft in her ear, her smile turned into a quiet glow. “Get your beer, Donovan, and go play with your little friends.”

“You know how excited I get when you insult me.” He nipped her ear, making her laugh, before he plucked four bottles from the cooler and strolled off.

“The man gets mushy around babies,” Mel commented, shifting herself so that she could reach the platter of finger food. “When Aiden was born, Sebastian walked around as if he’d accomplished the whole deal by himself.”

She watched their son wrap his arms around Sebastian’s leg, then observed her elegant husband’s limping, playful progress back to the men with Aiden in tow.

“He’s a wonderful father.” Ana lifted the heavy-eyed baby to her shoulder, gently rubbed his back. She smiled when her stepdaughter hurried over, glossy brown hair bouncing.

“Can I hold him now? I’ll walk him until he’s asleep, then put him in the daybed in the shade. Please, Mama. I’ll be careful.”

“I know you will, Jessie. Here. Take your brother.”

Rowan watched, studying the girl of ten. Since she was Ana’s stepdaughter and Boone wasn’t … then neither was Jessie. Yet the girl didn’t appear to feel out of place among her cousins. In fact, Rowan had seen her speak with the sharp impatience an older child often had for a younger one when Donovan had beaned her with a rubber ball.

“Would you like some wine, Rowan?” Without waiting for an answer, Morgana poured delicate straw-colored liquid into a glass.

“Thanks. It’s so nice of you to have us here, to go to all this trouble without a bit of notice.”

“It’s our pleasure. Liam so rarely visits.” Her eyes were warm and friendly as they met Rowan’s. “Now why don’t you tell us how you managed to get him here?”

“I just asked to meet some of his family.”

“Just asked.” Morgana exchanged a meaningful look with Ana. “Isn’t that … interesting?”

“I hope you’ll stay for a few days.” Ana gave her cousin a warning pinch under the table. “I’ve kept my old house next door to where we live for family and friends when they visit. You’re welcome to stay there.”

“Thank you, but I didn’t bring anything with me.” She glanced down at the trim cotton blouse and slacks, reminding herself she’d left Oregon in nothing but a robe and popped into Monterey neatly outfitted. “I suppose that doesn’t matter, does it?”

“You’ll get used to it.” Mel laughed and bit into a carrot stick. “Mostly.”

Rowan wasn’t sure about that, but she did know she was comfortable here, with these people. Sipping her wine, she glanced over to where Liam stood with Sebastian. It was so nice for him, she thought, to have family to talk with, who understood and supported him.

*  *  *