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McAllister for nothing. I say she should go for the brass ring. And if it s Griff Palmer,
more power to her, Stan remarked looking from his wife to Reid.
You re right. I m just being over-protective, Reid admitted with a lopsided
grin. Now, you were asking about Gabby. We re all having dinner at her parents home
tonight.
We don t want to interfere, Reid. Stan and I will check into a motel and see you
tomorrow, Anna offered. After all, we didn t give you any warning of our arrival.
Sorry, no motels, Reid told her openly grinning now. And I don t have room
in the bunkhouse since mom moved in. I ll call Gabby s mother. They have a huge
house and I m sure that she d be more than happy to put you up.
Oh Reid, that would be an imposition, Anna said on a sigh.
Not in this part of the country. He went to the phone and dialed the Stoner
number. As luck would have it, Amanda answered on the second ring. He explained the
situation and asked his favor.
Of course you must bring them right over. We have plenty of room and would
love to meet Stan and Anna. I m looking forward to meeting your mother this evening
too, Amanda declared warmly.
Is Gabby there?
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Autumn McCullah
Yes, and so are most of the grandkids. They re outside somewhere. Do you
want to bring them over now so they can get settled in before dinner? Reid had talked
about his friend and his wife so Amanda was anxious to meet them.
We ll be over in about half an hour if that s okay? Reid offered.
See you then, Reid. I m looking forward to meeting them.
Room and board all taken care of and you get to meet Gabby as well, Reid said
replacing the receiver. Her parents are Amanda and T.J. Stoner and are terrific people.
You ll like them. And they re going to be my in-laws he almost blurted, but thought
better of it for the present, although he knew that both Anna and Stan were aware of his
plans.
Reid drove his truck while Stan followed in his rental car over to the Stoner ranch.
He helped Stan carry their suitcases up the steps to the front door.
Anna was bewildered as she surveyed the sprawling house. This is magnificent!
I ve seen pictures of log homes, but I've never been in one before. And your place is
going to be even grander.
Just then Amanda opened the door. She d been watching for their arrival.
Please come in, she said stepping aside so they could enter just as T.J. strolled out of
his den
Anna and Stan Jenkins, these are Gabby s parents, Amanda and T.J. Stoner.
Reid said making the introductions. Everyone shook hands.
We had no idea that there were no motels in Bentridge, Mrs. Stoner, Anna
began. I can t thank you enough for putting us up like this.
Yes, I m afraid that we left Los Angeles without much thought except to see
Reid. I d never make a good travel agent, Stan confided.
We re glad to have you. And we re very informal around here. Please call me
Amanda, she said warmly. Reid and Stan, why don t you take the luggage up to the
blue room at the far end of the hall? It has its own bath and a small sitting room so I
think you ll be very comfortable there.
While you get settled, I ll get Ida to make up a pitcher of lemonade. Meet you
out on the patio when you re ready, T. J. offered.
Less than ten minutes later they were all settled out on the patio facing the array
of outbuildings across the expanse of the huge lawn. There were trees on the other side
of the large house and at the back. In the distance were mountains. It was a breathtaking
sight.
You said Gabby was out with the kids? Reid asked once they were seated.
I called down to the barn and Ned told me they were trying to catch a runaway
piglet. We can walk down that way if you would like to stretch your legs? T.J. offered.
I could use a walk, Anna said smiling.
Let s go then, the older man said pushing back his chair. As they slowly
strolled down the private road he pointed out the various buildings.
They had just rounded the barn and were heading towards the back area when a
line of mud encrusted beings rounded the far corner. They were prancing up and down
and laughing. The group stopped short upon seeing the adults in front of them.
Reid groaned.
T.J. smiled.
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Autumn McCullah
I thought you said Gabby was back here? Stan asked looking at the two other
men.
She is, Reid said shaking his head.
Where? Stan and Anna echoed.
Reid ran a hand over his face. See the two tallest in the middle? She s the one
on the left. He couldn t be sure because of the mud covering them from head to toe, but
his guess was that it was her nephew Sam on her right with Kyle, Franklin and James
filling in the group. Then he blinked. Was that little Brie on the end?
Anna tried to not smile but it just wouldn t be contained. She was grinning as this
unsightly group approached.
Stan looked at Reid. I knew you preferred the outdoor type, he commented
formally then spoiled it all but bursting out with a hearty laugh.
That s my Gabby, T.J. said proudly. Always in the middle of noise or dirt. If
I had a dollar for every ounce of dirt that girl brought into the house, I could buy the state
and have some left over for part of another.
Just then Brie broke free of the group and rushed forward. Uncle Reid, she
gushed wrapping her muddy arms around his legs. We caught the piglet. He almost got
away but Aunt Gabby cornered him so Sam could grab him.
Reid knelt down on one knee to be eye to eye with the little girl. Did you get
him back with this mother?
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