Jenny leans back, glancing down the hallway. The ruckus continuing from the kitchen confirms we’re still alone. “My Jessie Bird sees something in you. And you know, she’s special.”

I nod and wait, expecting to be told off in the sweetest way.

“She’s just like her father. A hummingbird. Beautiful and quick. She thinks if she buzzes around fast enough, nothing can touch her. She doesn’t realize how fragile she is. But you and I know life’s little secret.” Jenny winks at me, despite the fact that I’m confused as hell. “Fast as she might fly, someday she’ll need someplace safe to land.”

Jenny taps my hand and I let my fists relax. Lacing her fingers with mine, she squeezes and those familiar hazel eyes search mine. “The trick is teaching a free bird the value of a home when all they can see is a cage.”

I’m staring at Jenny, trying to wrap my brain around the meaning behind her words.

“Mom?” Jessie’s voice calls out down the hallway. I’m still sitting in stunned silence when she comes into view. “What’s going on?”

Jenny leans back with a satisfied smile. “Nothing, darling. Just getting to know your love.”

Jessie’s eyes go wide and snap to mine. “Mom!” she screeches. “I told you—we just started dating. I thought Jared having a kid would buy the rest of us some time.”

“Is it a crime to want to see all my children happy?”

“Crime? No. Obnoxious and smothering? Yes.”

Jenny holds her hands up. “Just a friendly chat. Right, Devin?”

I nod, shifting my gaze between Jenny and Jessie, who’ve engaged in some kind of staring contest.

The front door swings wide open and in walks the original Allen, identical to Jessie’s brothers although somewhat more weathered.

“I’ve got the pickles,” he calls out in triumph.

Jenny jumps up off the couch and snatches the massive jar of pickles out of his hands. “Thank you, dear. Those will be perfect when we make sandwiches with the leftovers tomorrow.”

The man shakes his head. “But I thought—”

“This is Devin, Jessie’s new boyfriend,” Jenny interrupts him. “Devin, this is my husband, John.”

I stand and shake John’s hand. John and Jenny must have one hell of a sense of humor, naming all four kids with J names.

“Well, I better put these up.” Jenny scurries off back to the kitchen.

Jessie elbows her dad in the ribs. “Oooh, you don’t even know how close you came to disaster, do you?” she asks.

“Huh?” John is beyond confused.

“You almost let the secret ingredient to Mom’s famous mac and cheese slip in front of an outsider.” Jessie jerks her head to me.

“Oh, right. Oops.” The two share a chuckle. He kisses Jessie on the forehead. “How have you been, Birdie?”

“Good, thanks. How goes the great kitchen debate?”