“My family does this every year and I swear every year my family gets bigger and bigger. You invite a few people who invite a few people. You know how it is.”

“Not really.” Ridley stepped out onto the patio behind him and they were immediately surrounded.

She hung back, in awe of his easy confidence, as he hugged a few people and slapped a couple of the guys on the back. He seemed oblivious to the way the women looked at him, with hungry stares and flirtatious smiles. Jackson reached back and grabbed her hand, pulling her to his side. Her heart sped up.

It doesn’t mean anything, he’s just being nice so you don’t get lost in the crowd, she thought. Still, she couldn’t deny the feel of his large hand around hers was a thrill.

Several of the girls looked at Ridley critically before dismissing her and turning back to Jackson. Apparently they didn’t find her to be a threat.

It took all her willpower not to throw her arms around him and say, “He’s mine, back off biyatches!” just to see the looks on their faces. She doubted Jackson would share the humor though, so she refrained.

Jackson pulled her closer until she stood right under his arm. “Ridley, I want to introduce my oldest brother, Bennett.”

A ruggedly handsome man with light brown skin shook her hand vigorously. “Nice to meet you, Ridley. I hope you’re feeling better.”

She blushed furiously as everyone looked at her speculatively. “I am, much better.” She glanced up at Jackson. He seemed to understand her discomfort because he quickly turned to someone else.

“And these are the other members of our usual group, Trent Townsend and Mara Simmons. Mara is Matt’s twin sister.”

He addressed Mara directly. “You should have seen her talking to Matt earlier. He actually listened to her. It was amazing.”

Embarrassed at the praise, Ridley shook hands with them both, surprised when Mara pulled her into a quick hug.

“Thanks for talking Matt down. He just came back from overseas and he hasn’t been himself lately. I don’t think he’s adjusting to civilian life so well.”

Mara looked over at Trent who hugged her close to his side and kissed the tip of her nose.

Ridley swallowed back a sudden stab of envy. With just one look, she could sense the bond between them. She’d always wondered what it would be like to have that kind of connection with someone.

“Well, let’s get something to eat. I went a little overboard on the grill.” Jackson tugged her toward the long picnic tables set up in the middle of the lawn.

The two boys she remembered from earlier that morning ran up. The smallest one didn’t wait to be picked up, just latched on to Jackson’s pant leg and started climbing like he was scaling a wall. “Daddy, we want ice cream!”

Jackson scooped him up and held him cuddled in the crook of his arm. “Not yet, little man. Let’s get some food first.”

Ridley’s heart slammed against her chest. It shouldn’t be so hot that he was such a devoted father. She busied herself by picking up a paper plate and filling it with potato chips. He’d kissed her last night, but that didn’t mean he was single. For all she knew his ex-wife or girlfriend could be at the party, too. Jackson wasn’t the kind of man any sane woman would let get away, especially if they had a family.

She pushed down a pang of regret and focused on the food. The last time she’d liked a guy he’d ended up dead, so it was probably better if she kept her thoughts off romance. Her time was going to be occupied, in near future, just trying to stay out of harm’s way.

She put a hot dog on a bun and bit into it angrily.

“So, your real name is actually Ridley?” Matt appeared on her left and she jumped.

“Oh, hi. Yeah, I changed it years ago.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t just use your real name. It’s so distinctive. Although I can understand not liking it. The only people who call me Matthew are my mother and people who want to get punched in the face. And don’t even get Mara started on her name.”

“What? Mara is perfect. Short, feminine and easy to pronounce.”

“It’s actually Marina. My parents love to sail.” Matt rolled his eyes. “So, why do you look like you want to punch a wall now?” Matt grabbed a paper plate. “Or like you want to punch Jackson. What did he do?”

She choked down the last piece of her food. “Nothing. So, how old are Jackson’s kids?” She didn’t look at him as she asked, just put another hot dog on her plate and picked up the ketchup bottle.

Matt raised an eyebrow when she squeezed too hard and ketchup squirted all over the table. “What’s up with all this love in the air? I need to watch my back before I get hit with an arrow.”

“What? I didn’t say… I was just wondering.”

Matt looked at her from the corner of his eye. “You were just wondering where their mother is? Normally I’d make you work for it, but I like you. So, I’ll just tell you straight out that you might not want to go there. Jackson is a great guy but ever since his wife died, he hasn’t been the same.”

Ridley looked back at Jackson and the two kids clinging to him. “Oh, no. I had no idea. When they said they didn’t have a mom, I assumed it was due to divorce or something. Was it recent?”

“It was about three years ago. Jase had just been born. I don’t even think the boys remember her. Jackson doesn’t like talking about it, so he usually lets people assume he’s divorced. I’m only telling you this so you’ll understand why I’m warning you. You seem like a nice girl and I’d hate to see you get your heart broken.”