“Let’s pray,” said Grover and held out his hand.
Really?But Emberly put her hand into Stein’s and then Mama Em’s and listened as Grover thanked God for blessings and favor and prayed for the family who wasn’t present—she guessed that meant Austen and their son Doyle, back in Mariposa—and something about his low, humble voice unwound the coil in her gut.
Everything would be fine.She’d have a nice dinner, and then she and Stein would sneak out and find Declan.
And she’d leave, AI program in hand.Without Steinbeck, because he was a good man.The kind of man who showed up, protected, even if it got him hurt.
Suddenly it all makes sense.
He wasn’t a guy who stood on the sidelines.And his story about his brother only confirmed that.
Despite his former-SEAL skills, her world would eventually get him killed.
And she simply didn’t belong in his.Even in the guise of Emberly.
But for now, she’d laden her plate with potatoes and a gourmet steak off the grill and salad and she would enjoy her lemonade and her walkabout in the world of...normal.
“When did you get here, Boo?”This from Stein, who held out the basket of fluffy rolls to Emberly.
Yes, and amen.She took one and slathered it with creamy butter.
“A couple days ago.Oaken spent the day at the fairgrounds, rehearsing for tomorrow night’s show.”
“You’re performing at the fair?”This from Conrad.“How did I not know that?”
“You’re too busy with hockey camps,” Penny said.“He’s done four youth camps this summer for EmPowerPlay.The kids are crazy about him.”
By her grin at Conrad, Emberly guessed that the kids weren’t the only ones.
Conrad rolled his eyes.“Yeah, whatever.Besides, what was I going to do, say no after I signed a three-year deal with the Blue Ox?”
“Oh please,” Penny said.“You love it.”
He smiled down at her, and oh, the sap was heavy on that side of the table.Their laughter made it easy to fall into this family’s ambiance.
“I guess we’re going to have to go to the fair tomorrow,” said Conrad.“Do we get free tickets?”
Emberly hadn’t ever listened to an Oaken Fox album, but he definitely had rugged country star appeal, with his slow smile, the tenor of his voice.“Absolutely.I’ll leave them at will call.”
“The fair?”Emberly said.“You’re playing at a county fair?”
“The Minnesota State Fair.It’s the second largest fair in the country,” Stein said.“We go every year.This is the last weekend.”
“What, you go and check out the pigs?”
“And the cows and chickens and horses, and all the exhibits, and especially the cool food.”This from Penny.“I heard this year they have deep-fried Twinkies.”
“They’ve had those for years,” said Grover.“I’m interested in the chocolate-covered bacon.”
“And the bucket of cookies and fresh milk,” said Jack.“No offense, Mom.”
“None taken.I love the new Amish donut stand.”She wiped her mouth.“Although, I did bake up a batch of cookies, as a reminder before you decide to defect.”
“Never,” Conrad said, grinning.
“Oh please.I know you love that cookie place near your house,” his mother said.
“Ironclad Desserts?Poor substitute for the real thing.”He winked.
