“I think it’s so admirable that after everything Jake has done for our country, he’s come home and jumped right into learning new skills, which so many of us are lacking in nowadays,” Mrs. Bianchi said and Jake had to work overtime to keep his expression neutral. She did? Beside him, Sharon was shaking slightly with silent laughter, but no one was paying attention to her. “It’s really quite admirable. And, I’m sure, a relief to him that he’ll never need to pay someone for something as simple as changing a light bulb or an air filter.”

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bianchi laughed.

Aunt Meg didn’t.

Sharon snorted she was giggling so hard.

Jake still had no idea what was going on.

Sniffing, Aunt Meg turned away from Mr. and Mrs. Bianchi, focusing on Jake. “Thank you for your service.”

“Oh um, you’re welcome,” Jake said, stumbling over his words, but he needn’t have bothered. She had turned and started walking away as soon as she’d finished speaking.

“Loathsome woman,” Mr. Bianchi muttered. “Still can’t believe Richard married her.”

“There, there, dear, they’ll divorce soon enough and then we can steer him towards someone more suitable,” Mrs. Bianchi said, patting his arm. They didn’t even glance at Sharon and Jake as they moved away, still talking in low tones.

Completely flummoxed, Jake turned to Sharon. “What. The hell. Was that?”

Mirth danced in her dark eyes. “That was my Aunt Meg. She’s my Uncle Richard’s fourth wife. Her son, my uncle’s step-son, called an electrician to come change out his lightbulbs last year. Apparently half his house had finally gone dark because he didn’t know how to change any of the bulbs and he hadn’t known what else to do.”

That was both sad and hilarious, but not what Jake was most interested in.

“No but... your parents... Why did they come to defend me like that?”

She smiled at him, but there was a little bit of sadness in her eyes too. “They can pick at me all they want, but it’s something else entirely if someone else finds me lacking. Then they’re the best defenders a daughter could ask for.”

He shook his head. “I don’t understand your family at all.”

“Keep drinking,” she advised.

“That will help me understand them?”

“No, it just means it won’t bother you anymore.”

He laughed.

Yeah, he didn’t get her family. He didn’t entirely get her. But in moments like this, he couldn’t deny... he really liked her.

16

Somehow, they managed to get through the cocktail hour and then into the reception, which was a huge relief. The first dance went off without a hitch and then everyone found their seats.