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“It’s what you get for moving into Jubilee to chase women,” Aaron said.
They laughed all the way to the table, and as they were taking their seats, Wolf couldn’t help but think about the unity within this family—something he’d been missing all his life. He kept watching his daughter, and the man who loved her, and saw their future in this place. He was at peace knowing no matter where his life took him, she would always be safe and loved here.
By the time they got down to dessert, Wolf felt like he’d known these people all his life. Cameron Pope was the dark horse. He was smart, and witty, and belittled his own talents, which, when told around the table, were obviously many. The man had secrets, but he liked him.
Wolf had been an only child and was seriously envious of the camaraderie between Shirley’s sons. The women were like hens in a henhouse, all talking at once and stillhearing everything else going on at the same time, and Amalie was in the middle of it.
John and Annie Cauley anchored the others by age and experience and took the job of family elders seriously, but it was Ella Pope, the nonagenarian, who had him stumped. She was quick-witted and didn’t mind a laugh at herself, but he’d caught her watching him more than once with those dark eyes flashing, and then she’d look away. She reminded him of an old woman from the bayou where he grew up. People had gone to her for potions and curses because that was their way. Ella didn’t come across quite like that. Amalie said the family claimed she had “the sight,” and if she did, he wondered what she thought of him. And then when Shirley and Dani got up to serve dessert, he found out what Ella was all about.
Ella leaned over, took his hand, and whispered in his ear.
“They paid someone to take your baby girl across state lines and abandon her in an alley in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The cops thought she’d been born there. They left a note wrapped up inside her blanket. It said crazy ran in the family so that no one would want her. Go after them. They will turn on each other.”
Wolf saw his reflection in her eyes and felt like he was drowning.
“I’m not going to ask you how you know this. All I’m going to do is say thank you, because I’m already after them. They just don’t know it, and this is moreammunition for the hell I am going to rain down on their heads.”
Ella nodded. “I would have expected no less. You didn’t get where you are without a fight,” she said, and let go of his hand.
“Dad, would you rather have a slice of apple tart or Italian cream cake?” Amalie asked.
Wolf jumped like he’d been slapped. “Uh… Oh… Yes,” he said.
They laughed as Shirley put a slice of each on his plate.
“I’ll have the cake,” Ella said. “I don’t bake anymore. Too much trouble for just me.”
Sean kept an eye on Wolf all the way through the meal, wanting to make certain that he was at ease so Amalie could enjoy herself as well. He knew how much this meant to her, but sitting side by side with her at a family gathering meant a lot to him, too.
However, they were coming up on well over an hour at the table, dessert was just beginning, and the muscles in his shoulders had begun to knot.
Amalie saw the pain on his face and leaned over.
“Where are your pain pills?” she whispered.
“On my nightstand, but it’s okay,” he said.
“No, it’s not okay. I’ll be right back,” she said. “Excuse me a moment,” she told everyone, and left the table, returning shortly and taking her seat before dropping the pills in his palm.
Sean downed them. “Thank you, baby.”
Shirley was too busy cutting cake and tarts to see thebyplay, and no one else was paying attention. Satisfied that she hadn’t usurped Shirley’s place, Amalie took a bite of the tart and then rolled her eyes.
“Aunt Annie, you did yourself proud. This tart is delicious.”
Annie beamed. “Thank you, sugar.”
Amalie sighed. “Shirley’s promised to teach me how to make dumplings that don’t fall apart, and now this amazing bite! I have a long way to go to get to Pope-level cooking.”
Sean slid his arm around her. “You can serve frozen dinners and feed me from cans for the rest of our lives, and I’ll be happy.”
Amalie shook her head. “You say that, knowing full well we’re moving in with Shirley because I wanted a mama, and you offered me yours.” Her chin trembled. “And she agreed, so I’m going to be learning from the best.”
Shirley had tears in her eyes, but she was beaming.
“Well, I never had daughters. I had to wait until my boys gave me some. I have my darling Dani, and now you’re on the horizon. I am a happy woman.”
Wiley frowned. “Don’t be waitin’ on me for a third daughter. I’m nowhere ready for all that.”
