Say You're Mine (The Gallaghers Book 1) by Layla Hagen (comprehension books .txt) 📕

“Mom, Dad, I forbid you to share any weird stories,” I said, figuring I’d get that out in the open right away.

Dad patted my shoulder. “Son, you might be famous and grown-up, but if I want to share stories with this young lady, that’s my God-given right.”

Isabelle grinned. “That’s right. I’m with you on that, Mr. Clarke. It’s a sibling and parent prerogative.”

“Whose side are you on?” I asked.

“What does it look like?” Isabelle replied, batting her eyelashes. “Besides, you got enough insider info from my mom. It’s my turn now.”

I liked watching Isabelle interact with my parents. She was a natural at this and seemed content being here. Not that I expected anything different after seeing her with her family; Isabelle loved people in general and was a caring human being.

Mom clapped her hands once. “Come on, let’s finish lunch.”

She led us in the back to the summer kitchen. My parents had it built back when I was in middle school and practically spent all the warm months out here. It was all under a white gazebo. The appliances and grill were in one corner, the table with six chairs on the other side, next to a working station and cabinets.

Mom immediately split tasks. Dad was starting the fire, she was seasoning the meat, I was in charge of the salad, and Isabelle was setting the table. This had always been a golden rule in their household: “no one is allowed to slack.”

“So, Esther, I need some embarrassing stories,” Isabelle announced. “Preferably from high school.”

“Oh, I don’t know too many of those. But his cousins can fill you in. They’re good girls, and they were joined at the hip as kids. They’re coming for lunch.” She glanced at me over her shoulder. “They can’t wait to see you.”

“When did you tell them I was here?”

“As soon as you arrived. Everyone’s been missing you. They’d give me too much trouble if I didn’t tell them.”

“That’s true,” I conceded, turning to Isabelle. “You’ll like Jana and Donna.”

“Can’t wait to meet them. Now I understand why we have so much food.”

I chuckled. “No, my parents always cook at least twice as much as necessary.”

“Hey, you never know who’ll drop by for a quick bite. Wouldn’t do to be unprepared,” Mom shot back.

“We’re big on hospitality here,” Dad added.

***

Jana and Donna arrived about twenty minutes later. They were my cousins on Mom’s side and looked very similar to her: dark brown hair and vibrant blue eyes. Donna was taller than Jana, which had annoyed Jana since we were kids because she was older. People often mistook us as siblings when we were kids, and we didn’t always correct them.

Donna immediately hugged me, nearly strangling me. “Oh, we’ve missed you.”

“You couldn’t have missed me that much. You were in New York in March.”

Pulling back, she punched my forearm. “Hey, you could at least pretend you missed us.”

“Yeah. You just arrived. You can’t be mean to us already,” Jana added.

I held up my hands in defense. “I’m pointing out the truth. And I want to introduce you to someone.”

They turned toward Isabelle at the same time.

“Isabelle Gallagher,” Jana exclaimed. “Therapist, tour guide, and enthusiastic foodie.”

Isabelle jerked her head back even as she shook hands with both of them. “Nice to meet you. Where did you get all that information?”

“Well, those pics also had your name attached... and then we stalked your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles,” Jana said proudly. “Instagram too.”

Donna was glaring at me. “Yeah, we were hoping our dear cousin would call and tell us about you, but when he kept mum, we had to take matters into our own hands.”

“You’re never going to learn to mind your own business, are you?” I teased.

Donna rolled her eyes. “Never.”

Jana looked around. “Okay, we can gang up on him later. What can we do to help? The grill smells like it’s almost done.”

Dad waved his hand. “Sit down, all of you. I’ll just put the meat and cheese on plates and bring it to the table.”

A few minutes later, our plates were full. From the first bite of steak, I was transported to my childhood days. My parents used the same seasoning. I’d forgotten what it tasted like.

“So our task for the party tonight is to pick up a box of decorations from the general store. Want to join us, Isabelle? We can show you around town,” Donna said.

“Only if you promise to give me as much dirt as possible on Brayden. I’ve heard you two are the perfect source for it.”

“Oh yes we are,” Jana exclaimed proudly. “Who told you that?”

“Mom called you two ‘good girls,’” I added, barely holding back laughter.

Donna gaped at Mom. “Esther, I don’t remember you praising us as kids. You were always calling us spawns of the devil.”

“You three were driving me insane, and a certain someone was helping you do it.” She glared at Dad, who shrugged.

“Kids are kids. And they turned out fine.”

“You did,” Mom conceded.

Donna wiggled her eyebrows at me. “We have so many stories about him.”

“I’ll come too,” I said calmly.

“No you won’t,” Dad butted in. “That party tent won’t build itself.”

“Please tell me it’s not that same old tarp from when I was a kid.”

“It’s a perfectly good party tent,” Mom said.

The Blue Falls General Store owned two party tents that they rented out. They’d been old and gray even when I was a kid.

“Wait a second. Who was going to help you out if I wasn’t here?” I asked.

“Jerry and Hank,” Dad answered, referring to my cousins’ husbands. “And they’re helping anyway.”

I caught Isabelle’s eye, and she winked at me. She fit in here so seamlessly and didn’t seem to think that helping was beneath her, or mind that my parents led a simple life. I was damn grateful to her for convincing me to come to Mom’s birthday. She had a way of making me take things easier and enjoy life more. She made me happy.

How the hell was I supposed to let