Fuck. I hadn’t considered that. I’d have to find a way to explain it.
I followed Porter out to the kitchen. Emma and Gage were already deep in conversation about colleges, while Knox helped Drew bring the food to the table and Marco poured everyone water from a pitcher. Hawk walked in a few minutes late and quietly took his seat. Aiden raced around the island from the back hall, where our golden retriever was chewing her kibble, and headed for the long farmhouse table.
“Hey! Hands, mister,” I reminded him, heading to the sink myself, and he rolled his eyes but complied.
As we sat down a moment later, I looked around the table and felt profound gratitude for all that I had.
My supportive family. Plenty of food and a snug house to eat it in. A son who was my whole world. Honest work I loved and a legacy to protect. All the things, I realized with a pang that Luke was working hard to get but hadn’t.
I didn’t want to take them for granted even for a minute.
Then Gage grinned at me across the table. “So. Webb. Anythingnewsworthyhappen today? Did you happen to see anything while you were…scrolling?”
Drew guffawed.
Marco choked on a sip of water, and Knox had to lean over to thump him on the back.
“Not a thing,” I said mildly while shooting him a fiery look and tilting my head toward Aiden.
“Well, I had lots of exciting stuff happen today,” Aiden said importantly, scooping a giant helping of mashed potatoes on his plate. “I’m going to see my mom next week, because she’s gonna take me to hockeyandstay for pizza after. And I learned how to make snow cream at Olin’s and stayed up until midnight, and I played with Olin’s dog.Hisdog sits up on his hind legs on a kitchen chair while Olin eats breakfast.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Dad, wouldn’t it be awesome if we had a puppy we could?—”
“We’re not getting another dog right now,” I informed him. “Try again in the spring. Drew, would you pass me that platter?”
“Andalso,” Aiden went on, “Murray told Olin who told me that Mr. Williams doesn’t even know about hockey. Can you imagine, Dad? Like, he’s never even skated. It’s, like, the only thing he doesn’t know how to do.”
“Oh, I’m not sure that’s true,” I said tartly. “Luke doesn’t know jack about ladder safety either. Pass the peas, Knox?”
Silence fell around the table, and I looked up to find the entire family trading glances.
“Ladders? How d’you know that?” Aiden demanded.
“Oh. We, ah… we discussed it. Earlier today. I went out to his house to… visit.”
“You?Visited Mr. Williams?”
“Sure. I believe it’s important to be fair and open-minded and friendly with your neighbors, and Lu—I mean, Mr. Williams—is our neighbor. So.” I shrugged like it was as simple as that, though it hadn’t been that simple at all… and even my seven-year-old knew it.
“Amazing. Would you say this is anewbelief?” Knox asked brightly.
“I would say that as I’ve matured, I’ve come to certain realizations, that’s all,” I replied. I smiled at him sweetly. “Someday maybeyou’llmature, Knox, and then you’ll understand.” Before he could snap back, I added, “Drew, I’m not sure what these chicken pocket things are, but they smell delicious.”
“Thank you,” Drew said after a moment. “They’re called…handpies. They just seemed… appropriate for today.”
“Oh.” I ground my teeth together. “Great.”
“Bet thosehandpies whipped up…fast,” Em commented.
“Sofast. I thought they’d go well with thesehand-mashed potatoes,” Drew went on with false innocence.
“And these peas!” Gage exclaimed. “Did you shell them byhand? I can always tell.”
“I’m glad you made plenty, honey,” Marco interjected. “I feel like I’ve beenfastingall day.”
Drew snickered and patted Marco’s hand. “You’re lucky I’m sohandyin the kitchen.”
My family was a bunch of assholes, and I was going to sell every last one of them except Aiden on eBay.
I broadcasted a glare around the table, then proceeded to ignore them all and focus on my dinner.
