ON DEAN'S WATCH

  "Taggert, party of twelve," Dean said calmly. He pointed to his sister. "Her married name is Taggert."

  Reva began to count. The men, the women, the children, and Dean. "Is someone missing? I count eleven."

  Dean pointed to the boys, who were now playing with two-year-old Justin. "Cooper needs to get acquainted with his new family, don't you think?"

  He'd thought of Cooper, included her son in his plans long before she'd said yes to his proposal.

  "Do they know what a good man you are?" she asked softly.

  "Just a man, Reva. Good and bad. I did make a few mistakes. I'll probably make a few more."

  "Your heart was always in the right place. I imagine it always will be."

  Reva had never been part of a family like this one, and suddenly she was a little scared. What if they didn't accept her? She didn't know what Dean had told them about her, but she didn't expect he had spun a pretty tale full of lies. Dean would be caught in the middle if his family didn't like her.

  "Come on," Dean said, leading her forward with his arm around her waist. "Let's go meet everyone."

  "Now?" Reva dragged her feet. "I should change clothes, put on some makeup, fix my hair…" Dean did not slow down. "What if they don't like me?" she blurted in a hoarse whisper.

  "They're going to love you and Cooper, I promise."

  "You don't know—"

  "I love you. They'll love you. If there's a problem, I know how to win them over."

  "How?"

  Dean stopped, placed both arms around her and grinned. "In case you haven't noticed, we have a preponderance of boys in the family. Cooper tips the scale even further to the male side. Jayne is worried that Miranda won't have any female cousins to get into mischief with, and Shea and Mary claim the women in the family are getting woefully outnumbered." He leaned in close but did not kiss her. Not this time. "What do you say we work on giving Cooper a sister?"

  She smiled and nodded.

  "Come on," Dean said, taking her hand and leading her toward his family. "I suppose I should tell you now, there's one more reason they're all going to be happy to have you in the family."

  "What?"

  Dean grinned at her as he led her along. "You're cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year."

  She laughed. "Thanksgiving! Planning ahead, aren't you?"

  Dean pulled her close. "Yes, I am. Do you mind?"

  Reva took a deep breath and walked fearlessly toward her new family. "Not at all."

  * * * *