Stevie was just a tad bit jealous in that moment. She had never gotten to take a boyfriend home to meet her mother and father. She had attended her junior and senior proms as a single girl and had only stayed long enough to have her picture taken in front of the backdrop for the theme of the prom. Those were two of the pictures still hanging in the hallway of her house.

“Beau, you can go visit with the guys in the living room while I help Mama get dinner on the table. I hope you like ham,” Mia said.

“I love home-cooked anything, but ham is about my favorite dinner,” Beau said with a smile, “and don’t worry about me, Mia. I like to visit about ranching.” He sat down on the floor in front of the twins, who were still in their carriers. “Can I take one or both of them out and hold them? I’m really good with babies. I’ve got a niece who’s about this age, and a nephew who’s a little older. I’m their favorite uncle.”

“Sure,” Jesse said. “They’d love a little extra attention.”

“Wow!” Stevie whispered as she locked arms with Mia and the two of them headed toward the kitchen. “Is he real? Jesse already likes him.”

“How can you tell?” Mia asked.

“By his expression. His eyes are twinkling like yours do when you are playing with your little brothers,” Stevie said.

“I hope you’re right, because I really do like Beau.” Mia stepped away from her when they reached the kitchen and started setting the table.

“What can I do to help?” Stevie asked.

“You can take the ham out of the oven and slide in the sweet potato casserole,” Pearl said. “Then you can slice the ham. The electric knife is in the cabinet under the bar.”

Addy hip-bumped Mia. “Why haven’t you brought Beau home before now?”

“Because I’m not rushing into anything, ever again, amen,” Mia answered. “Not even with him, even though he seems like a really good guy. He’s the youngest of three kids, and his brother and sister are, like, ten years older than he is. I’m the oldest of three, and according to the internet, that’s supposed to be a perfect match. But I’m not taking any chances, not even when statistics say everything is fine and dandy.”

“Good girl,” Pearl said. “But, darlin’, you need to listen to your heart, not to the internet.”

“You are so right, Nana,” Mia agreed, “and my heart says to go slow, to build a friendship before a relationship.”

“Yep, that love stuff only lasts a little while every day, but friendship takes you through the tough times.” Pearl brought out a loaf of homemade bread and sliced it.

“Are you talking about love or lust?” Mia asked.