Fortune's Proposal by Allison Leigh Page B

the irony in his eyes. “What can I say?” He patted Bethany’s shoulder as she stepped back to make room for Charlene—Nick’s red-haired wife—and her similar greeting.
    Drew gently chucked the baby Charlene was holding under the chin, earning a chortling giggle, and Deanna barely managed not to stare.
    For some reason, she’d never thought what Drew would be like around little ones, but to watch him now, he seemed much more natural than she’d have expected.
    He looked at Bethany. “And where’s your munchkin?”
    â€œShe’s off with Josh. You get Randi anywhere within ten feet of Brandon and Maribel and she wants nothing more to do with her own mama and daddy.”
    Bethany turned to Deanna again. “Randi is actually Miranda. Our two-year-old. But she moves so fast these days, we started shortening up her name.” She grinned. “And Brandon is Josh’s little boy. He’s—Josh, that is—is Frannie’s oldest and Maribel is Frannie’s youngest.”
    Even though Deanna had tried to get a primer on the family names from Drew, she still felt lost.
    â€œFrannie’s one of my cousins,” Drew provided, evidently recognizing her failure to keep up. “Josh is her son. Frannie and her husband, Roberto Mendoza, have been helping Josh raise Brandon.”
    â€œAh.” She nodded, managing to follow the branches of the family tree her mind was drawing. “Mendoza? Isn’t that Isabella’s—”
    â€œYeah. They’re distant cousins. And those are the rest of the Fortune cousins over there. Frannie’s brothers.” He pointed toward a trio of men and a woman standing near the steps leading up to the church doors. “The guy leaning against the railing is Ross. He’s Aunt Cindy’s oldest. He’s the P.I. I told you about, and the brunette with him is his wife, Julie. They got married a year ago. Cooper’s next. Brown hair, no hat. He’s worked on ranches all around the U.S. pretty much, but doesn’t spend a helluva lot of time here. So I understand anyway. And then there’s Flint. Black hat. Has a spread in upstate New York. And, I don’t see Frannie anywhere around.” He slid his arm so casually around Deanna’s shoulder that she almost didn’t startle. “She’s the youngest of them and the only girl,” he added.
    â€œYou talking about Frannie? I just saw her inside with Lily,” Jeremy provided, walking up to them.
    Deanna had already met him at J.R.’s while Drew had been getting ready and had immediately liked the somewhat soft-spoken surgeon. She had the feeling he didn’t say anything until he knew exactly what he was talking about.
    It was something Deanna practiced herself, and usually succeeded at, except when she was dealing with Drew.
    Only then did that particular trait seem to completely desert her.
    â€œHas Dad arrived yet?” Jeremy asked. He shot his cuffs and glanced around, his blond hair gleaming in the sunlight.
    â€œHaven’t seen him,” Nick provided.
    â€œMaybe he’s come to his senses,” Drew said.
    â€œThought you’d have given up on that by now,” Darr said, giving Drew and Deanna a pointed look. “Dad’s in love with Lily. And she’s in love with him. Maybe if you spent more than two days a year around here you’d see that for yourself.” He looked down at Bethany when she put a hand on his arm.
    â€œDad’s driving himself over from the hotel,” Nick said, his tone calm. “He probably went in the church through the back. J.R.’s in there already. There’s a room they quarantine the groom in so he doesn’t see his bride before it’s time.”
    Charlene swatted him with her hand. “Quarantine,” she chided with a smile. “I love it that William and Lily chose New Year’s Day for their wedding. I think it’s a