“Guess who’s here?” Denver announced.
Everyone turned their head and stared at Prudence.
My mom looked like she might have a heart attack. Her eyes were so wide, they were going to burst. The illumination of her orbs reminded me of a decorated Christmas tree, all the joy of the holidays radiating through the ornaments. She placed her hand on her chest and a quiet gasp escaped her throat. She was totally overreacting.
Damn, this is embarrassing as hell.
My mom left the couch and immediately embraced Prudence. “It’s so lovely to meet you.” She held her tightly and swayed Prudence back and forth.
I hated my mom right now.
She still didn’t let go. “You’re so beautiful. I knew my daughter-in-law wasn’t lying.” She pulled away then cupped Prudence’s cheek like she was a porcelain doll. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“Mom, give her some space before she runs.” I hooked my arm around Prudence’s waist and tried to protect her. Prudence didn’t seem uncomfortable or upset. She was putting on a good show for me. Better than the one I put on for her brother.
“She’s gorgeous, Cash.”
I rolled my eyes. “You think I don’t know that?”
My mom clapped her hands together excitedly, like Prudence was a new gift from Macy’s.
I turned to Prudence. “This is my mother, Ophelia.”
“Call me Mom.”
Are you kidding me right now? I was mortified. “Ignore her,” I whispered into Prudence’s ear. “I’m so sorry.”
My dad came next and looked her up and down. “You did a good job with this one.”
“She’s not a mule, you guys. Treat her like a human.”
My dad chuckled then hugged her. “Thanks for putting up with him. We know he’s crazy.”
Prudence smiled then stepped back.
My mom pulled her away. “Let’s have some girl talk.”
“I don’t think so.” I pulled Prudence back to me. “You guys are vultures.”
McKenzie immediately gave Prudence a hug, which shocked me. My sister never got along with other girls. And she was never affectionate with them. I knew she was really making an effort to make Prudence feel welcomed. My entire family was. “It’s nice to meet you. My brother is a great guy.”
Wow. I never thought I’d hear those words come out of her mouth.
“I know.” Prudence smiled then kept her place by my side.
“Uncle Cash!”
“I’ve been spotted,” I said with a laugh.
Natalia migrated through the sea of legs until she reached me. She hugged my legs like she always did. “I found you.” She giggled loudly.
She was so fucking cute. “Hey, beautiful.” I picked her up and held her in my arms.
“Hi.”
I turned to Prudence. “This is my girlfriend. Please make her feel welcome, Natalia.”
Natalia’s eyes widened. She was normally scared of strangers or people she didn’t recognize. But that wasn’t the case with Prudence. “She’s purty…”
“I know she is.” I couldn’t help but smile.
Natalia reached her arms out to Prudence. “I want.”
Prudence chuckled then grabbed her. She placed the little girl on her hip. “It’s nice to meet you, Natalia.”
Natalia giggled while she stared at her. “You like my uncle?”
“I do.”
“I like him too.”
“Then we should get along just fine.”
Natalia sucked her thumb then pulled it out again. “Did he bring me a present?”
“Yes, he did. But I picked it out. I hope you like it.”
“Ooh…” Natalia clapped her hands. “I want!”
We walked back to the front door and Prudence put her on the ground. Her eyes lit up when she saw the big bag. She laughed then ran to it. The rest of my family joined us and watched. I didn’t realize we’d have a damn audience.
Natalia took out the small guitar then screamed. “It’s so cool!”
Prudence’s eyes softened when she stared at my niece. I knew I should look at Natalia, but I couldn’t. Prudence had my full attention. The joy on her face made my heart accelerate.
Natalia played with the chords then sang under her breath. I had no idea what song she was trying to recreate, but it looked like she was having fun. “I don’t know how to play,” she said sadly.
“I could teach you,” Prudence volunteered.
“Really?” Prudence was her new favorite person in the world.
“Yeah.” She sat down then held the guitar. Natalia stood at her knee and watched her fingers. When Prudence started to sing, Natalia was mesmerized, but so were the rest of us. My mom clutched her chest while she stared. Then she leaned toward me. “I love her.”
“You don’t even know her,” I snapped.
“I don’t have to. I can just tell.”
I rolled my eyes.
“And I know she loves you.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Prudence Clearwater
There was no question that Cash’s family liked me. Even though I didn’t do anything to deserve it. It was clear they were all invested in his personal life. They just wanted to see him settle down. Now I understood why he wanted this arrangement. It made his family happy.
After I showed Natalia how to handle the guitar and play a few strings, she carried it everywhere and strummed it for her family. She wasn’t very good and sang incoherently, but it was still adorable.
Cash was beside me the entire time, his hand on my waist. I wasn’t sure if it was for affection or just to protect me from his family. Either way, I liked having him beside me.
We sat down for dinner and I ate everything on my plate. Cash’s mom and sister cooked, and I wanted to be as polite as possible, even though they put way too much food on my plate. They made me a special vegetarian dinner. Cash must have told them. He was so thoughtful. Every time I looked up, his mother was staring at me with a look of adoration.
Wow. She really wanted Cash to get married.
“How long has this been going on?” she asked.
I let Cash handle all the questions. “A month.”
“Good. So, you’re a musician?”
“Yes,” I said. “I play in a band.”