AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My mother wants me to show you to the dining room, so I’m showing you to the dining room.”
Six places are set, complete with cloth napkins and what looks like fine China—not that I’d know for sure.
“I know Maddie’s at college, but where’s Jesse?” I ask.
“I don’t have a freaking clue,” she says. “Now, I wonder where her royal highness wants you sitting? Here. I’ll put you right next to her. That’ll make her happy. I’ll sit on your other side.”
Frank and Donny enter the dining room a moment later.
“Why don’t you take the seat across from Brock, Don?” Frank says. “Then Maureen can pepper the both of you with questions.”
“Works for me.” Donny takes his seat.
Rory folds her green cloth napkin onto her lap, so I do the same. A full glass of red wine sits in front of my spot, along with a glass of ice water.
Maureen and Callie come bustling in, carrying platters and bowls. Once we’re all seated, Maureen begins passing the bowls around.
“I hope you like salmon, Brock.”
“There’s not much I don’t eat, ma’am.”
“Please, stop with the ma’am. You’re making me feel old.” Mom laughs.
“Okay. Maureen.”
Rory looks a lot like her mother. It’s common knowledge that Maureen Pike was once a beauty queen in local pageants. All her children favor her over Frank.
But Rory… There’s something special about Rory. Her beauty is almost ethereal.
And yes, I just used the wordetherealin my thoughts. I’ve got it bad.
I fill my plate, handing dishes to Rory as we pass them. She takes very small portions.
I get it. She’s nervous. This is our first dinner as a couple with her family. But Callie and Donny are here. Shouldn’t that calm her nerves a bit?
And then I wonder…
Did she ever bring Raine over here for dinner? Any of the others? Or am I the first?
Probably not. She and Raine were together for a while, and she’s had two other relationships. That’s three more relationships than I’ve had. Surely she’s done the family dinner thing before, so why does she seem so uneasy?
“Tell me, Brock,” Maureen says. “How are things at the ranch?”
I smile. Maureen lives on a ranch herself—albeit a tiny one compared to mine—so she knows there’s no easy answer to that question. Does she really want to know how things are going on the ranch? Of course not.
“Fine, ma’am. I’m sorry. Maureen.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. And how are your parents?”
“They’re fine. Mom is working on a new book.”
“That’s fascinating,” Maureen says. “Your mother is such an intelligent woman.”
“Yes, she is.”
“My Callie is intelligent like that,” Maureen says.
Rory goes rigid next to me.
