I Still Do Read Online Free Page B

to flutter with nervous anticipation. It wasn’t easy for anyone to meet new people, she told herself. But these were Will’s people. That made it worse.
    And so much more interesting.
    From his attitude yesterday, it was clear that he meant to sever their Las Vegas connection as soon as possible—what did she expect, after all?—so this might be her one and only chance to satisfy her lingering curiosity about him. How had he changed in the last thirteen years? A couple of fantasy days and nights of sunbathing and slow dancing hadn’t answered all her questions. Learning more about the grown man that was once her summer boyfriend could help make it easier for her to leave him and their impulsive wedding behind.
    The door of the house swung open before she could ring the bell. A dark-haired young woman stood on the other side, a woman younger than Jamie, but the familial resemblance was strong. “Emily,” she said, smiling. The noise of a crowd reached over the threshold, and she raised her voice to be heard over it. “I’m Betsy, the youngest Dailey. Jamie told me to keep my eye out for you. I’ve been told I’m in charge of your good time.”
    As Emily stepped into the house, the clamor created from the combination of loud voices, rock music and splashing water grew louder. “I’ll be fine on my own,” she protested, even though her feet stuttered a bit as she took in the dozens of people attending what Jamie had called a “little get together.”
    Betsy shook her head. “You look shell-shocked already, and we haven’t even started on the family introductions.”
    â€œFamily?” Emily echoed. Surely this horde…“They can’t all be family.”
    â€œPretty much,” Betsy confirmed, grabbing a soda from an ice-filled cooler and pressing it into Emily’s slack hand. “In some way or another, anyhow. You know there’s six of us, right? Six siblings. We’re all supposed to be here tonight, not to mention other extended relations and their assorted spouses, significant others and charming children.”
    â€œWill said he came from a big family, but—”
    She was cut off by a brief, but exuberant hug from Jamie. “You’re here! Is Betsy taking care of you? Do you need something stronger than that soda? There’s chips and pretzels on the deck in the back. Have you seen Todd?”
    The last question was thrown at a man who was breezing past, a spatula in his hand. “Todd?” he repeated, as if the name was new to him.
    Jamie narrowed her eyes. “You know, your son.”
    The man—presumably her husband—reached out to chuck her under the chin. “No worries, Charlie’s got him.” Then he turned a smile on Emily. “Hey. I’m Ty. You’re the newbie, right? Come on out to the barbecue when the Daileys start to make you nuts. I’m from a family of a mere five so I know how this tribe can get intimidating.”
    Emily had been an only child. Her parents only children as well. That this many people would be closely related to each other boggled the mind. How would she keep them all straight?
    As Ty and Jamie wandered off in separate directions, she couldn’t help from clutching Betsy’s forearm. “Is…Is Will going to be able to make it?” And though she knew that didn’t bode well for the future they weren’t going to have together, she suddenly wanted to see him.
    â€œLater, I think. He had to fill in at the station for half a shift. There’s a bug going around. C’mon.” She gestured toward the back deck where people were milling. “It won’t take you long to get to know everyone.”
    Betsy was an optimist. There were so many people at the party and they were moving so fast and talking with so much energy that Emily had a hard time keeping up—not to mention keeping up with their names.
    Betsy she