“Of course she does,” Gemma said. “She’s got that man wrapped around her little finger.”

“She’s got all of us wrapped around her finger.” Quincy sat beside Roni and put their plates on the table. “I wasn’t sure what you were hungry for, so I got some of everything, heavy on the fruits and veggies.”

“This is perfect, thank you,” Roni said.

He leaned in for a kiss, then brushed his scruff along her cheek and said, for her ears only, “Is it crazy that I missed you?”

“If it is, then they’d better take me to the nuthouse, too.”

He kissed her again, and Jed said, “I bet Dixie wouldn’t mind if you used her office for a few minutes, as long as you disinfect the desk afterward.”

Quincy shot him a warning glare, and Jed chuckled.

They talked and joked as they ate. Scott was charming, and every time he whispered something to Penny, she smiled in a way that was different than when she smiled at anyone else. It was obvious to Roni that they were holding hands under the table, though she thought the others might be as oblivious to that as they were to Scott and Penny’s stolen glances. Jed was funny and kept snuggling with Josie, proudly referring to her as his future wife. Quincy was so attentive and affectionate, keeping his arm around Roni as they ate, stealing kisses, and asking several times if she needed anything, she felt like they’d been dating for months. She wondered if there was something in the water at Whiskey Bro’s, because all those tough guys sure knew how to treat their women.

“Attention.” Hail’s voice rang out through the microphone, from his perch in Biggs’s arms on the stage.

Hail was adorable with shaggy light-brown hair that curled at the ends. Biggs was such a big man, Hail looked even smaller in his arms. Beside him, Red held Kennedy’s and Bradley’s hands. The stage seemed smaller and more intimate without the fancy curtains they’d had up during the auction.

Josie said, “He’s such a ham.”

“I think he’s adorable,” Roni said.

“Thank you for supporting the…” Hail looked at Biggs and said, “What’s it called, Papa Biggs?”

“The Parkvale Women’s Shelter.”

“Oh yeah! Thanks for supporting the Parkvale Women’s Shelter,” Hail said proudly. He looked across the room and shouted, “Look Mama and Moon! I announced!”

Laughter rose from the crowd.

“Good job, buddy!” Jed called out to him.

“He calls you Moon? That is the cutest thing I’ve ever heard,” Roni said. “I love how they included the kids tonight.”

Quincy pulled her closer and said, “Family, babe. That’s what it’s all about.”

Even with Angela, and to some extent, Elisa, Roni’s family was small. She’d never imagined family could feel like this.

Biggs set Hail down, and Red sent Bradley to Biggs, taking Hail’s hand. Biggs said something to Bradley, and Bradley nodded. Then he leaned toward the microphone and said, “The second-place winners are…” Biggs said something to him, and Bradley said, “Jon Butterscotch and…” He giggled, bringing rise to more laughter. “That’s a funny name, Papa Biggs.”