Best Dating Rules by Tamie Dearen (no david read aloud .TXT) 📕

Spencer, as he allowed Emily to pass the bowl across the table.

“Son, dinner’s delicious, as always.” Joe smiled at Emily. “We all got used to his cooking—took it for granted all those years. Now he’s moved away from home, we only get to enjoy it on Sundays.”

Connie said, “The rest of the week, they have to suffer with my cooking.”

The whole family laughed, but Grace explained to Emily, “She’s only joking. Momma hates cooking. When it’s not Spencer, it’s me or Papa.”

“Sometimes I cook,” declared Hannah.

“Hannah does brinner,” said Olivia. “You know, breakfast for dinner? Eggs, toast, pancakes, bacon—she loves cooking breakfast food.”

“I bake,” said Claire. “And I want your recipe, Emily.”

“Shouldn’t you try them first? You might not want the recipe.” Emily chuckled.

“So... Emily,” Grace spoke in an intentionally casual tone. “Who are your parents?”

“Grace,” Spencer warned. “That’s none of your business.”

“Why? She met my parents. Surely she’s not ashamed of her parents.”

“Grace.” Spencer said the name between clenched teeth.

Connie said, “Grace, if Emily doesn’t want to talk about—”

“It’s okay. Really, it’s okay. It’s no big deal, really.” Emily steeled herself against the embarrassing reaction people always gave when she revealed who her stepfather was.

“Aunt May lets her parents sit in the back room, so I know they’re famous or important or something.” Grace waited with rapt attention.

Spencer studied his plate while the rest of the family gazed expectantly at Emily.

“Uhmm, my mom’s name is Anne, and she’s been a widow for fifteen years. My dad died in a car wreck, along with two of my grandparents.”

Connie gasped. “I’m so sorry.”

“I’m really okay. It’s been fifteen years, so it doesn’t really hurt any more—not much.”

“So is your mom rich or famous or something?” asked Grace. “What’s her last name?”

“Her mom is married to my boss,” said Spencer. “Okay? Now you know.”

“Your boss, as in, your immediate boss? Or the one who owns the company?” asked Joe.

“Steven Gherring,” said Emily. “She’s married to Steven Gherring.”

“Wow,” Claire spoke into the ensuing silence. “You’re rich, huh?”

“Claire!” scolded Connie.

“I don’t live with them, so it’s not my money.” Emily knew her face was glowing red.

“I’m sorry,” said Spencer miserably. “This whole thing was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have let you come.”

“Nonsense,” said Connie. “Now we’ve gotten over the shock of the idea, we won’t embarrass you again, Emily. I imagine you were a little shocked yourself when it first happened.”

Emily let out a breath, and smiled gratefully at Connie. “Actually, my sister and I were both a bit shocked at the whole thing. That’s a long story. But Steven’s a really great guy, and he’s nothing like they say in the tabloids. He’s super nice, and he really, really loves my mom.”

“I told you guys when I met him six months ago he was nice and down-to-earth. I told you he didn’t act like a billionaire,” said Spencer.

“Yes,” said Olivia. “But you didn’t tell us you were dating his daughter.”

“We’re not dating,” he corrected before Emily had a chance to respond. “We’re friends. Right, Emily? At least I hope we’re still friends, after this.”

“We’re still friends.” Her heart broke a little at his apologetic smile. He was trying so hard to protect her. Not that she would ever need protecting by a man. She was self-sufficient. *****

Anne opened her eyes again. She was shivering. There was a metal rail on her bed. Hospital. She must be getting her IV. How did she get here?

“Are you cold?” Steven said, adding a white blanket to her covers. “You’ve got like four blankets on.”

“Did I get my IV?” she croaked. “Can I go home now?”

“Well, we need to talk about that,” he said, coming to sit beside her and hold her hand. “The doctor met us here. It turns out she was angry we didn’t call her earlier. We discovered you don’t have morning sickness. She said you have something called hyperemesis gravidarum. It can be really dangerous—to you and the baby. Since you didn’t respond to the Vitamin B6 and anti-nausea meds, you’re probably going to need to stay in the hospital.”

“But I feel better now. I don’t even feel nauseated.”

“That’s because they gave you medicine in your IV. You were throwing up your oral meds before they even got into your system. You need the IV.”

Now fully hydrated, her eyes were swimming in tears that pooled and flowed down her face in rivers. “Please, can I go home? I don’t want to stay here.”

He squeezed her hand. “First, we’re gonna talk about something else. I have to call Emily and Charlie. They have to know you’re in the hospital. They’ll have to deal with keeping your secret.”

She nodded. He was right, of course. She couldn’t put it off any longer.

“Okay. Just get Emily here. I’ll tell her in person. But don’t scare her, okay?”

Steven rolled his eyes. “Dealing with you Best women can be so difficult.” *****

The food disappeared quickly. With so much laughing and teasing and conversing, Emily was surprised anyone managed to eat at all.

“Time for dessert.” Olivia emerged from the kitchen with the Emily’s container in hand.

She set the Tupperware in the middle of the table after snatching a bar for herself and taking a bite.

“Yum!” said Claire, her expression ecstatic as she relished the chocolaty dessert.

“These are really good,” Spencer confirmed.

Emily watched the Marshall family devouring the sweet bars. “I’m so full from dinner. I can’t even imagine eating dessert.”

“That’s why you should always eat dessert first,” Olivia declared.

Grace had been quiet during the last part of dinner. “Are you mad at me for being nosey about your parents?”

“Of course not. I had fun tonight.”

“But I’m still mad at you.” Spencer crossed his arms. “I told you not to be so nosey, and you wouldn’t listen.”

“Let’s change the subject,” suggested Grace. “Momma, how’s the job hunt going?”

“Nothing so far—at least nothing that doesn’t involve working the midnight shift.”

“Momma’s been an LVN for years, but she went back to school and graduated with her RN two weeks ago,” Grace boasted.

“Congratulations,”