Page 178 of You Found Me

She stiffened. “Ward…”

He gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Attention!”

Blake startled as he passed by, but he didn’t stop. Nobody else reacted.

Della put a hand on his chest. “Ward. Don’t. This isn’t like the pool party. This is your…our…family.”

“I know. Believe me. Strangers tend to do what I tell them. Family never does.” He let out a loud, piercing whistle.

“What was that?” someone asked from the kitchen.

“Fire alarm?” Lizzie called out.

“No,” Mason said from the front door. “That’s Ward doing a quarterback call to attention.”

“Oh, nothing serious, then.” Piper took a vase from Mason. “Are all the flowers in?”

“Yeah.” He lifted his chin at the door. “Think the driver is waiting for a tip.”

“Right,” Renic said. “I got it.” He disappeared outside.

Frustration built in Ward’s chest. “Hey!” he bellowed loud enough to make his old drill sergeant proud.

Heads swiveled in his direction, and finally it was quiet enough to get a word in.

“Thanks for stopping by, everybody,” Ward said, “and thanks for your help unloading the flowers. We appreciate it. Now get out.”

Mason snorted.

“Donovan,” Elyse chided.

Mattie slapped a hand over her mouth, but her body shook with laughter.

“Dude,” Blake said, “I like your style. You remind me of my mom.”

Ward frowned. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. He had no idea who Blake’s mother was, but he suddenly felt old.

Elyse grimaced. “He’s right. They really should get some rest. They don’t need us all here right this second. Though honestly, Donovan. Yelling? Really?”

“What hemeans…,” Della said as she wrapped her hands around his arm, “is that we both really appreciate everything you’re all doing for us. You’re so sweet, and I know you were all worried, but?—”

“You’re tired and you’dreallylike some quiet time to rest,” Piper finished.

“I doubt they’ll be resting,” Adam said.

“Adam.” Mattie poked him in the ribs.

“The whole point,” Piper said as she gave them both a hug, “was to get you home safe and sound. I guess we did that.”

Lizzie took her turn giving them hugs, then gestured at the door. “Okay, everybody, you heard the man. Let’s take this party to the hotel on the square. I think they have a banquet room we can use. We’ll order pizza.”

“She’sreallybeen craving pizza,” Mattie said.

“There’ll be no hotelorpizza on my watch,” Dad said. He took Lizzie’s arm in his and led her to the front door. “Everybody head to Sevens. Cider’s on me. And I make the best grilled cheese sandwiches you ever ate.”

“That sounds fantastic.” Lizzie licked her lips. “I can’t wait to see this place. Della’s told us so much about it.”

They left, only to be replaced by Mattie and Adam.