Gavin paused. “Liz.”

“Yes?”

“Mind your own business.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Nathan. You don’t want to step into that again. You know what kind of trouble you got yourself into before with Mick and Tara. You don’t want to do it again.”

“For God’s sake, Gavin. I’m not even thinking about meddling in Nathan’s personal life.” Geez, her husband was annoyingly psychic at times.

And of course he was right. Which didn’t mean she wouldn’t ask this new girlfriend of Nathan’s some probing questions. She wouldn’t interfere, of course. It was more like . . . protecting him.

“Oh, you’re here.” Tara greeted them at the front door and led them inside. “The guys are in the game room.”

“Later, gorgeous,” Gavin said, giving her a swift kiss before heading toward the men.

Liz rolled her eyes. “I knew I’d lose him as soon as we walked in the door.”

“I know, right? Mick loves the game room. So do his dad and his uncle. They’re all like kids in there with the TV, pool table and video games and the rest of the stuff.”

Tara led her into the kitchen. “Something to drink? I made this amazing nonalcoholic punch, plus there’s wine, beer, and tea.”

“I’d love some punch.”

Tara poured her a glass. “Everyone else is in the family room.”

“Is Nathan here?”

“I sent him and Sonja on an errand. They should be back soon.”

“Sonja, huh? Nice name.”

Tara smiled. “Nice girl. Wait ’til you meet her. You’re going to fall madly in love with her.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes. She’s sweet. I can’t believe he met someone like her. She’s smart and so athletic. And funny, too.”

Liz was going to reserve judgment about Sonja until she had a chance to grill— uh, talk to her.

She settled into the family room and visited with everyone, including Mick and Tara’s little boy, Sam, who was pulling himself up on the furniture. His hair was dark and curly, and when he giggled, it shot straight to her heart. He had the sweetest smile and charmed everyone in the room as he made his way over to them, laughing every time he fell down.

When Sam came over to her and rested his cheek on her knee, every part of Liz ached. She picked him up and kissed his cheek, but after only a few seconds, he wriggled to get down.

“Okay, mobile man, I know you don’t want to be cuddled right now. Off you go.”

“I told you,” Tara said. “I think my cuddling days are over.”

“You might be surprised how much he still wants to cuddle his Mama,” Gavin’s mom said to Tara. “He might want to be moving around right now, but wait until he falls and cries. Then he’ll want you holding him.”

“You’re right, of course,” Tara said.

After a few minutes, Liz heard the front door open.

“Mom, where do want this stuff?”

“Excuse me,” Tara said. “If I don’t direct Nathan, he’ll end up putting milk in the pantry.”