Rules of Engagement

“Lucky?”

“Not every family is so close.”

“I’ve always taken that for granted. Dad’s older sisters, Gayle and Ruth, never married. They spoiled David and me—it was great. They did the same for all the kids. At Christmas, it was like having three Santas.”

“It sounds almost too good to be true.”

“I suppose.”

When Cole took the last sip of his wine, Tess smiled. “If you’re ready, I’ll grab my bag.”

He tipped his glass in her direction. “Ready.”

Tucked into Cole’s ground-hugging Mercedes CLK, it didn’t take long to reach Spencers. The valet quickly took their car.

“Good service.”

“It’s what we’re known for.”

Inside, Tess led the way to one of the private dining rooms. The room was overflowing with aunts, uncles, their children and significant others. More than sixty people crowded around the bar and buffet tables. She noticed Cole’s eyes widen when he saw the overwhelming amount of relatives. “I did warn you there’d be a mob.”

“As long as you don’t expect me to remember all their names.”

She grinned. “On my mother’s side there are seven De Villard siblings, three brothers, four sisters. Short version—I have fifteen first cousins and some of them are married and have children.”

Her aunt who was being honored that night waved from the head table, but it was impossible to get past the crowd. “That’s my aunt Lily,” Tess explained, waving back. “It’s her anniversary. And Stephen’s the one with the rosebud in his lapel.”

A waiter deftly swerved by, recognized Tess and paused, offering them champagne.

“I thought you weren’t going to stop, Ernie,” she teased, picking up a flute.

“These are for the head table,” he explained, offering Cole a drink.