AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nathan frowned. “No other relatives?”
“Mom hasn’t kept in touch with many. Not since...my dad died.” She gave a little shrug.
“You and your mother should join my family for Thanksgiving dinner. We usually have a dozen relatives who show up, and at least that many friends.”
Her spoon in midair, Sara tried to envision her mother in that setting—or herself, for that matter. “Um, I didn’t think you got along with your parents all that well.”
“They’ve actually been trying harder, and so have I. No matter what, we never miss holidays together.”
“It must have been hard for them when you chose a career they didn’t expect.”
Nathan laughed. “I think that old saying about absence making the heart grow fonder must be true. They got back from Florida a couple of weeks ago, and I haven’t heard a single comment about my coming back into the family companies. Maybe they’ve finally given up.”
Family companies. A good reminder of how different their backgrounds were.
“So,” he continued, “what about Thanksgiving?”
She shook her head. “It would be too much for my mom, and I can’t leave her alone that day. Thanks, though.”
“If you change your mind, the invitation is open.” He set aside his napkin, then offered her his hand. “Dance?”
The mousse had been fantastic, but the pleasure of each decadent bite didn’t compare to what she felt as she stepped into Nathan’s arms. Beneath his soft sweater she felt the heavy muscling of his shoulders. The scent and warmth of him surrounded her.
“Since you’ve refused Thanksgiving,” he said against her ear, “you have to say yes to meeting my parents next Saturday.”
“I do?”
There were a dozen couples on the floor, but they’d somehow ended up near a corner where the light was dim, and Nathan’s back shielded her from view.
Their steps slowed until they were barely moving at all.
He lifted her chin with his forefinger and dropped a swift kiss on her mouth. “I look forward to bringing you home to meet them.”
The thought gave her a sinking feeling. “Maybe...someday.”
They danced until closing time to the tunes of the Golden Notes, a local group that specialized in big-band music. Perfect for dancing. And all too perfect for falling just a little bit in love with Ryansville’s deputy.
Not that she planned to let those feelings go any further. She’d already received word on her next assignment in Dallas. If everything fell into place, she’d be on her way a few days after New Year’s Eve.
Though the thought no longer held much appeal.
* * * *
“DID YOU AND YOUR MOM have a nice Thanksgiving dinner?” he asked the following Saturday as he ushered her into his car.
“She agreed to eating at Josie’s rather than trying to cook a big meal at noon. We went a little early to miss the holiday crowd, though. They had a delicious Thanksgiving buffet.”
He dropped a quick kiss on her cheek, then shut her door and moved around to his side and climbed in. “You said she’s been hesitant in crowds.”
Sara resisted the impulse to touch the spot he’d kissed. “Um...yes. But she’s trying. This time she even talked to a couple she knew.”
Nathan drove up Fox, crossed the main highway, then headed out to Lake Ryan. At the eastern shore, he turned north on Lakeshore Road for the final twenty miles of the trip.
“I get the feeling you aren’t looking forward to this.” He glanced at her, then turned his attention back to the narrow two-lane road. “We could have gone somewhere else.”
She bit her lip as she looked out the side window. “Your parents’ place is fine. Really.”
“You don’t sound very enthusiastic.” His low laughter and deepening crinkles at the corners of his eyes told her that he understood how she felt. “We don’t have to stay long. I mentioned you at our Thanksgiving dinner, and I think Mom just wants to check you out.”
