“Adance lesson,” he clarified. “One.”
“At Ms. Abernathy’s?” Anita asked. “She’s been working hard to get the word out about her classes.”
“Why don’t you join us?” their mother said. “It would be such fun!”
Tanner stopped midbite and shot a desperate look at his wife. She patted his hand and said, “I’m sure it would be, but we just don’t have the time. With our jobs, church, and now the baby, I don’t think it’s a good idea to add something else to our schedule.”
Relief crossed Tanner’s face as he swallowed and nodded. “Anita needs to conserve her energy.”
Mom smiled. “I understand.”
Kingston sat back, marveling at the ease with which Anita had turned down their mother. He glanced at his dad, who surreptitiously pointed his fork at his sister as if to say,See? That’s how it’s done.But Anita had an advantage he didn’t have—her pregnancy. Tanner was right too. Anita didn’t need to tire herself out.
Both of his sisters had figured out on their own how to cut back and say no. Impressive.
“Ms.Abernathy is teaching a variety of dance styles,” Mom said. “Rumba, waltz, tango—”
“You’re going to learn the tango?” Paisley chuckled and looked at Kingston. “Wish I could be there to see it.”
“Your brother is an excellent dancer,” Mom huffed. “Or did you all forget cotillion, where King won the Best Dancer award?”
Kingston slunk down in his seat.
“How could we forget?” Paisley said.
“You forced us to go,” Anita added.
“That’s not true,” Mom said, sounding a little offended. “Kingston, did I force you?”
“No.” It was an honest answer. When he was a kid, whatever she’d wanted him to do, he’d agreed to without argument. That included cotillion.
“Well, you made me,” Paisley said. “And as I recall, Anita wasn’t too happy about it.”
“Hey, don’t throw me under the bus.” Anita picked up a slice of liverwurst.
“Since when do you eat liverwurst?” Dad asked.
“Since today.” She took a bite. “Delicious.”
Tanner made a face. “No doubt she’s pregnant.”
Everyone chuckled, including their mother, whose ruffled feathers were a little smoother now.
“I’m surprised you have the time to do even one lesson, Kingston.” Anita spooned mustard over the wurst. “You’re always so busy.”
“I, uh, took a little time off.”
“Good for you.” Tanner grinned, skipping over the mustard and the liverwurst to grab a slice of French bread. “We all need a break every once in a while.”
He nodded but didn’t elaborate, and fortunately the conversation shifted topics. There was no reason for his family to know how long of a break he was taking.
After brunch was over, Paisley and Ryan made a quick exit to start their drive back to Dallas that afternoon. Anita and Tanner lingered a bit longer, and as Tanner listened, Kingston answered Anita’s questions about what to do after the baby was born. When they were ready to go, he walked them to the door.
“Thanks, Kingston,” Anita said, giving him a hug. “I’m starting to feel more confident about being a mom.”
“You can call me anytime,” he said.
“Should I go through Janine?”
