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and everyone bowed their heads for grace. When the words let’s dig in were said, hands went flying for dishes filled with mashed potatoes, candied carrots, fried chicken, and hot buttery rolls.
    Ellie kept her eyes to her plate, but she noticed the glances and felt the mounting tension as she tried to ignore her shyness. What was she worried about? Sex was a natural part of life. She was married to the man! It was normal to have sex with your husband, dammit! It’s not like her brothers never smelled of it. Since the mating ritual, that’s about the only cologne they wore, Eau de Sex.
    Mason looked down at his plate full of steaming food and took a deep breath, blowing it out with a long ahhhhh . “Smells interesting, Ellie. I mean, Mom.” The table erupted with male laughter.
    She knew it! She launched a piece of her roll at Mason. “Shut it, Mase.” She tore off another piece of bread to throw at Caleb for laughing along with them. She was ready to tell him she told him so, but when she chucked the butter-covered goodness at him, he looked up and caught it in his mouth, ruining her comeback while the males applauded and cheered. And somehow all he had to do was give her a single look that told her he loved her and she turned into a teenager all over again.
    Her mother smacked her dad in the arm and he covered his laugh with his napkin and cleared his throat. “Mason, apologize to your sister. You know not to tease her.”
    Mason dropped his fork in his pile of mashed potatoes. “But, Dad—”
    Her dad gave Mason the look. “Don’t but Dad me.”
    “Ellie knows we’re laughing with great respect for her.” He glanced down the table at her unbelieving face. “Why should I apologize?”
    Their father put his napkin on his lap. “Because I want the same thing your sister got when I go upstairs with your mother later.” The room flooded with “ewww, Dad,” “TMI, Dad,” “I can’t handle that image, Dad,” “I think I might be sick, Dad.”
    Ellie couldn’t believe he said that, but had a hard time not laughing along with the other women. Her parents were priceless.
    Desperate to change the topic, Ellie asked if any plans had been made concerning Caleb’s uncle. With the serious issue, the room quieted.
    Her mother added her bit. “I think that discussion can wait until after dinner. I think the boys would be more interested in knowing their little sister is now a married woman.” Ellie didn’t think the room could’ve been quieter. The proverbial pin drop had nothing on this.
    Aric cocked his head and looked at their mother. “ Our little sister, here?”
    Their mother settled her eyes on him. “No, your little sister who lives with the neighbors.”
    Jake gasped. “We have another sister?” Nicole tagged his arm.
    “No, idiot. She’s being facetious.”
    He looked around at the staring faces. “I knew that. I was trying to be funny.”
    Nate snorted. “I agree with your mate. Idiot.”
    “Hey,” Jake puffed up his chest, “my mate is always right, but I’m not an idiot.”
    Mason coughed up a sliced carrot. “Dude, you can’t have it both ways.”
    “I disagree,” his mother added with authority. “He got it right. And you boys would do good to learn what he just got away with.” She grinned at the faces her sons made. “Interesting that your mates didn’t tell you anything about it.”
    Every man turned to look at his mate, but the women continued eating as if nothing had happened. The smiles the women shared with Ellie told her they were more than happy to deal with the questions that would come their way.
    An hour later, Ellie and the other women put away the last of the dishes from dinner. Karla, Jordan, and Emma each held a bottle for one of the triplets in their arms.
    Ellie looked toward the doorway, then to Karla feeding one of her babies. “Karla, may I ask a personal question that’s plagued me forever?”
    Karla made a fish face at the baby. “Sure.”
    “I