His eyes danced with playfulness as he retreated, and Lucy didn’t even mind that he seemed a little cocky. She couldn’t remember ever being kissed like that before. She didn’t go out with men much and if she did, they were usually far less sure of themselves than Will. All that, “May I kiss you?” nonsense. “Just kiss me!” she would scream inside her head.

This, with Will … this was different. But what in the world was going on?

There was no time to ponder this question because right after Will kissed her, the front door of the cabin flew open and a very pretty young blonde woman ran out, her long hair streaming behind her. She reminded Lucy of Jules except she was squealing so loudly—something Jules would never do—that Lucy could hear her from inside the car.

“Oh, hey, they made it!” Will opened the car door. “Come on. You’re about to meet the rowdy side of the family.”

*

“Rowdy” did not even begin to describe Aunt Jackie, Uncle Bob, and their three children—all (nearly) grown—Briony, Bridget, and Bradley. Someone clearly had a thing for Celtic “B” names.

Within moments of being inside, Lucy had been embraced so many times, the names and faces had blurred into one and the loud voices echoing in the cavernous foyer were hurting her ears. After a day of skiing, all she wanted was to stand under the shower, have something to eat, then go to bed. With Will. The last thought popped into her mind unbidden and she felt herself flush.

She watched how he was with his family. His charm seemed to come easily, and she could tell that all three of his younger cousins were somewhat starstruck by him. Bradley was the youngest at sixteen. He looked a lot like Will, only he had yet to grow into his height; he was all limbs and a little awkward. Like me, Lucy thought.

The cousin who had squealed her way out to the car was the eldest, Briony. She was a senior in college and couldn’t stop remarking on how beautiful Lucy’s hair was—Lucy’s long mass of curls that drove her mental on a semi-regular basis.

Uncle Bob was a bear of a man with a smiley face and cheeks so rosy, Lucy couldn’t help but think he looked like a middle-aged Father Christmas. He’d retreated to the kitchen after greeting her with a hug, right as Will was introducing the middle sibling, Bridget.

She was eighteen and about to start her final semester of high school. Unlike her mother, her aunt, her sister, and her cousin, Jules, Bridget was not tall, willowy, and blonde. She was of average height and solid build with brown hair pulled into a simple plait down her back. She seemed quieter than the rest, shy even, and Lucy liked her immediately.

Aunt Jackie looked almost exactly like her twin, Steph, but Lucy could tell right away that they were chalk and cheese. She was brash and effusive and said the sorts of things other people would retain as thoughts. When she turned her attention on Lucy, it was to say something so inappropriate, Lucy wished the floor would swallow her whole.