Dad eyes me, silent and brooding, wise and insightful. “You got something on your mind, girly?”
Cora catches the note in Dad’s voice—she’s as adept at reading his moods as I am. “I think she does, Dad. Don’t you, Mom?”
I sigh. “Can we just drink our tea and make fun of each other for a minute or two?”
Cora frowns at me. “Did something happen? That accident shook you up worse than you thought, didn’t it?” She puts her hand over her mouth. “They found something, didn’t they? Cancer? You’re not dying are you?”
I sputter. “Oh mygod, Cora, relax. No, they didn’t find cancer, and I’m not dying. Yeah, the accident shook me up, but I’m fine. A little whiplash, but it’s mostly gone already.”
Dad’s eyes bore into me. “Aiden’s not here, and the four of us are. Not that I’m complainin’, ’cause God knows I appreciate the time with my girls, but you’ve got something’ on your mind. Dad knows. Don’t try to lie to your pops.”
I need to buy time for Jamie to get here. But stalling for time isn’t really my thing. I’m racking my brain for ways to put off the conversation, but I’m saved by the arrival of Jamie in his pickup. Dad sits forward in his chair, and then when Jamie gets out, placing a Pirates ball cap on his head, Dad’s eyes cut to mine. I meet them for a moment, and then look away; Dad’s eyes see all, if you let him look too long and too close.
Even looking away tells him more than I was ready to reveal, because he sits back, crosses his arms over his chest, and puts on his intimidating Dad glare. Jamie notices, and meets Dad’s gaze steadily. He’s unsure how to proceed once he’s on the porch, though. Does he lean down and kiss me like I can tell he wants to? I smile at him, trying to be reassuring in my own nervousness. He leans back against the railing, facing me and the rest of my family. I stand up and move beside him, and take his hand in mine.
That alone says about as much as I’d need to on that score. Dad’s eyes narrow, Mom’s fly open, and Cora claps a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh and a smile.
“So. You sorted your shit out, huh?” Dad says.
“Watch your language, dear,” Mom chides.
Jamie laughs, reaching out to shake Dad’s hand. “Jamie Trent. Nice to meet you, sir.”
“Ken Thomas. My wife, Emma.”
“Cora you already know, I think,” I say.
“Seen her around town,” Jamie says, “but I don’t think we’ve officially met.”
Cora’s grin is shit-eating. “Looks like hedoesown something besides pressed and pleated khakis and button-downs.”
I glare at her. “Cora Marie.”
Jamie just laughs, though. “I was one of the rare species in high school who could fit in with the prepsandthe jocks,” he said. “My style does trend a bit towards the dork side, however.”
“Well?” Dad harrumphs. “Out with it.”
I sigh and roll my eyes at him. “Dad, you think we could ease into this, just a little? It’s a big deal for me.”
He harrumphs again. “You’re holdin’ hands like little kids. I ain’t dumb—I know what that means.”
I shake my head. “I’ve never brought anyone over to meet you, ever. Be nice, Dad.”
“You brought over that snot-headed turkey turd.”
I shoot him a look. “Dad. That snot-headed turkey turd is Aiden’s father.”
“For all the good it’s done him.”
“Dad!”
Dad sighs, scratching the silvery stubble on his jaw and staring hard at Jamie. “But, I watched the way you were with Aiden at the game. You have a soft spot for the kid, that much is obvious. It’s also obvious he adores you.”
Jamie’s smile is bright and bold. “I love the kid.” He glances at me, and then meets Dad’s eyes. “As a matter of fact, I have the privilege of loving Aiden…and Elyse.”
“I KNEW IT!” Cora crows. She points double finger guns at me. “You did it! You got over yourself!”
“Cora, chill. Quit shouting,” I say. To Dad, and Mom as well. “It’s true, though. It took some time and some work to get over some of my hang-ups, but…Jamie and I are together.”
