AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When Mum tells us things about Dad’s childhood, I often wonder if it’s because Gran wasn’t there to help Pop raise him.”
“At thirteen months, he could be walking. He chooses not to and would rather crawl.” She blows dark strands of hair from her eyes and then adjusts her long ponytail off her shoulders.
I place the salad and serving utensils in the middle of the table.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Samuel asks in his polite American accent.
Faith beams the biggest smile. “I love your accent.” She turns to me and winks, then takes a seat beside Samuel. She coughs to clear her voice. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
He eyes me momentarily before turning to Faith. “I appreciate your kindness.”
I warned him.
“Take a seat.” Mum slips on her oven gloves. “The lasagna is ready.” James crawls up onto Faith’s lap, and I place Rose in the highchair beside me. Seb slides onto a chair between Mum and Samuel.
The aroma of Italian herbs and the strong lasagna sauce fill the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice how Samuel’s hand casually covers his mouth and nose until he adjusts to the strong scent. I’m not sure what does or doesn’t make him nauseous, and currently, everything is a trial.
“Eden told us how much you loved the jungle. To be honest, when you were trekking toward Colombia and the notion of you being close to the Brazilian border, well, I was freaking out with her. You had us worried for months.” She places her hand on his shoulder. “We’re glad you’re back here with Eden and Rose, yet understand how hard it must have been to leave the people you love. And when she told us about the shaman…” She shakes her head. “I’m so sorry. It must have been traumatic for all of you.”
Samuel lowers his gaze to his hands. “Yes, it was extremely sad.”
She waits a while, only he doesn’t say another word.
“Please pass the salad,” Mum says to Faith.
Faith scoops out some for herself and then passes the bowl to Samuel.
“Eden falling in love with you has been a blessing. She has never been happier, and you have also given us the gift of an aunty we never knew. So, thank you.”
My sister could seriously speak underwater.
Mum points her knife at the lasagna. “Faith, could you please serve since you’re closest.” One by one, we pass Faith our plates. She holds her hand out for Samuel’s plate.
He waves a hand. “I’m fine with salad, thank you.”
Faith looks at me, then at Mum, and I know she’s bursting with more questions, especially because she hugged him and would’ve felt his skeletal frame.
“Faith, please eat,” Mum says casually without giving her a second glance.
2
EDEN
Later that night, I read the menu out loud.
I stop speaking when Samuel looks around the restaurant. His brow has a slight dent.
Something concerns him so I reach out and take his hand. “Relax, babe.”
His beautiful eyes meet mine.
“What is it?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing. I’m merely assessing the situation.”
“We don’t have a situation. Tonight is our alone time to simply be together and enjoy a meal.” I squeeze his hand, and when he squeezes mine back, it offers hope he’ll lower his guard.
“Technically, we’re not alone. There’s always potential for a situation, especially in a crowded space with people moving about.” His gaze roams over the crowd. “It’s ingrained into me to assess.”
