Chapter Seventeen – Epilogue
Nothing like a christening to bring a family together. And the Barons had more than their share of family. Over the last few years, one by one, so many of his cousins had, to his grandparents delight, gotten married. A few had even had children. Leah and Cooper each married into a ready-made family. Mitch and Gwyneth had been the first with the birth of little Beth, and now, here they were at the christening of Cooper and Tess’ baby boy, James Everret Baron. A nod to Cooper’s father and grandfather.
Emily, his cousin Devlin’s sister-in-law, stopped and stood smiling at Porter’s side. As one of Devlin’s best friends and a frequent plus-one, Emily had been around the family so often it was hard to believe she wasn’t a Baron. All of which made it so much easier to have her twin sister Liz in the family. “They look so happy.”
“Can’t argue. They do. Then again, babies will do that to people. Only a ten-pound bundle of fat and diapers and milk-covered faces can have intelligent adults regressing to babbling idiots.”
Emily let out a loud rumble of laughter. “That’s true too, but I was referring to Devlin and my sister.”
Turning his head in the direction she’d been looking, Porter had to agree with Emily on that front as well. His cousin and his new bride were grinning like the Cheshire Cat. When they were smiling at each other, they also linked fingers, or caressed an arm or a cheek or stole a kiss. They looked so in love it was worthy of a Hallmark commercial. Or maybe one for Pepto Bismol.
“Did you hear the latest news?” Emily asked.
“Wedding, baby, or money?” After all, that pretty much covered the events in the Baron family of late.
“Well, since Devlin and Liz are already married, and making money is like breathing for the Barons, that leaves baby.”
He had to think a minute. Who had been acting any differently? Which husband had been fawning more than usual over his beloved wife? His gaze darted from couple to couple, pausing at Devlin and Liz, who were literally moving across the family party as one, and shook his head. Nope. They were just effervescing with that newly wed bloom of two people so in love everyone else was left longing for a soulmate of their own. Porter’s gaze landed on Logan and Leah. The man was staring at his wife as if she were a Ming Dynasty vase. Precious, valuable, and irreplaceable. Yep. They were the ones. “Leah.”
Emily bobbed her head. “Isn’t it wonderful news?”
He had to admit, he’d enjoyed having Beth and now James to bounce around. Especially Beth—who knew babies could be so much fun? As long as he wasn’t the one who had to go home and change the diapers or pace the floor in the middle of the night, he was very happy for all of his cousins.
“Hey.” Holding hands with his new wife, Devlin strolled over to the corner of the veranda where Porter and Emily had been spying on the family. “Hiding out?”
“More like enjoying the view.” Emily smiled at her longtime friend.
Liz hugged her sister before once again holding Devlin’s hand. “It’s a nice family.”
“It is.” Emily retained her smile, but Porter thought he detected a little bit of wishful thinking.
If he remembered correctly, Liz and Emily were the only siblings and their parents had retired young to Florida several years ago.
Slowly, Devlin’s arm looped around Liz’s waist just as her phone buzzed. Holding up a finger, she took a step away.
“Must be important,” Porter said to Devlin.
His cousin shrugged and a moment later, Liz hurried back to the group. “We got an offer!”
“An offer?” Porter must have missed something.
“The Swiss Avenue house. First offer has come in and it’s almost ten percent over asking, all cash.” Liz’s smile made the Cheshire Cat look sad.
“I told you people were going to love it!” Devlin scooped Liz into his arms, and grinning down at her as if he were a starving man and she were a prime rib dinner, the heat between them could have melted anyone within a few feet. “You’re an amazing designer and excellent stager. We’re going to make a killing working together in Houston.”
“Teamwork,” Liz smiled up at him, her gaze locked with Devlin’s and the heat level rose another notch.
Before the public display of affection began again in earnest, Porter spun on his heels. “Here they go again.” Smiling at Emily, Porter sighed. “What do you say if we raid the fridge and see what goodies Hazel has ready for everyone?”
Emily glanced at her sister and smiled more widely before turning to Porter. “I think that’s a great idea.” Playfully, she linked elbows with Porter. “I’m hoping for the Boston Cream Pie.”
“Not me.” He chuckled. “I want the sour cream blueberry tarts.”
“Works for me too.” Emily laughed more loudly.
Porter understood Emily was happy for her sister—after all, he loved his cousins like siblings and was delighted to see each and everyone so happy. But every so often, he wondered if the winning streak for love wasn’t bound to run out before it was his and his siblings turn to find the love of their lives. Then again, what was so awful about being a bachelor? Taking one look over his shoulder at Liz and Devlin staring into each other’s eyes as if they were the only two people in the world, he had to admit, whatever magic ran in the Baron clan, he really didn’t want it to run out anytime soon. At least not before love found him.