Free Ride the Rainbow Home by Susan Aylworth

like larks in a honey tree."
    "I'm in," Kurt said, taking a place beside Jim.
    "Don't forget me." Chris jumped up beside his brothers. "Never let it be said that I missed an opportunity to serenade a pretty lady."
    "I’m the bass." Bob rounded out the quartet as they began "On Moonlight Bay," then sang a series of old favorites and it was quickly obvious that they’d sung together many times before. Kate was right about the quality of their harmony and Meg was impressed again by the clarity and richness of Jim's baritone.
    But that wasn't all that impressed her. Meg sat enthralled, charmed by both the music and the warm family feeling. This afternoon with the McAllisters was unlike anything she'd ever known. To Meg, who'd had a series of stepfathers and only one half-brother, six years older, families like this were only on television. Until today, she'd questioned whether they even existed. Her eyes were moist as the men ended with "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." The rest of the family applauded and Joan excused herself to put her little ones down for a nap.
    Meg was looking out the front window, her throat still choked with emotion, when Jim slipped his arm around her. "What are you thinking?"
    "It was delightful, Jim," she whispered. "So is your family."
    "Then why the tears?" Jim wiped at one that crept down her cheek.
    "It's nothing," Meg said, then, "You must love them all very much."
    "Yes, I do." Jim's eyes glowed with warmth. He stepped nearer.
    "Before you boys go," Kate said as she entered, "I want to make sure you help Chris move those sows to the farrowing pens."
    "Yes, ma'am," Kurt said, taking off his Sunday coat.
    Jim turned to his mother. "We'll take care of it now," he said, and then he spoke to Meg, "I'll be back soon."
    "Come on, Jim. I'll help," Bob said. The men left together.
    Meg found herself alone with Kate and Joan. "That's a wonderful tradition, Kate. You certainly have things well in hand."
    "Thank you," Kate answered with an exaggerated sigh. "My family is my joy." Then she snickered. "When they're not driving me nuts! Well, looks like it's time for me to get dessert." In a flash she was gone.
    "Slick how she managed that," Joan said as her mother left.
    Meg realized how Kate had maneuvered her. "Yes," she said. "Very slick indeed. So what comes next?"
    Joan smiled. "It isn't meant to be an interrogation, exactly—" Meg would have been happier if she'd dropped the last word. "I just asked Mom to arrange for us to have a few minutes alone. I understand how you couldn't talk in front of Jim or the boys...."
    Meg picked up the thread. "Is this supposed to be a 'What are your intentions toward my brother' lecture?"
    Joan gave her a short, assessing look. "Well, yes. We've never seen him take a girlfriend to church, and we know you haven't been around long. We don't know whether you're planning to stick around, and, well, none of us wants to see Jim hurt."
    "You say he's never taken a girlfriend to church?" Meg was remembering the way he'd held her, letting the whole town talk.
    "No. At least never that we've seen. He's never brought a woman to Sunday with the family either."
    "He hasn't?" Meg couldn't stop her satisfied smile.
    "He hasn't." Joan was definite. "So you see why we're a bit curious."
    "Yes, I see. You McAllisters are pretty protective of one another, aren't you?"
    "Yes, I suppose we are. We've had to be in Rainbow Rock."
    "I remember," Meg offered. "This little town was pretty tough on me too, back in high school."
    "Oh! So you are the Peggy Taylor I remember. I thought so!"
    "Jim didn't tell you?"
    "All he told us was that he was bringing a woman named Meg Taylor to church and to dinner on Sunday." Joan paused. "You are Peggy Taylor, right?"
    "I was, once."
    "I remember seeing you and Jim and Sally together. You used to be called the three musketeers."
    Meg nodded, listening with half an ear as Joan rehashed memories of Jim and Meg together, moments Meg didn't even recall. And why not?