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I finished putting all the food away just as they both appeared with the rest of it.Taking the bags Sarah handed to me, I set them on the counter and started unpacking them, not looking up at Wilder as he placed the last of the food bags beside me.
“You went a bit overboard,” he said, surprising me.I figured we weren’t going to speak to each other.
I lifted my gaze to his.“Cookies to make, pies to bake, and cupcakes to ice.It takes a lot.Besides, I have some new Thanksgiving treat ideas I saw on Instagram that I want to do with Sarah.Y’all can take them to your mom’s for Thanksgiving.”
He didn’t say anything, but turned and left.Whatever.I didn’t need to have a conversation with him.Those days were long gone.I had found closure with it already.
When it was all put away, Sarah returned with bags of decorations with Belladonna trotting beside her.
“Set them in the foyer.We will let that be our general meeting place.”
She spun back around, and I went to follow her.More than one male voice came from the front doors as we drew nearer.I slowed as I recognized the other one.It had been a few years since I’d seen him.We had never really gotten to know each other.Even if I had dated his younger brother.
“Uncle Thatch!”Sarah called out and ran to Thatcher Shephard.
He still reminded me of Satan.Beautiful yet with a terrifying edge hidden under the surface.I had told Sebastian that once, and he’d laughed so hard, then informed me I was so accurate that it was frightening.
His dark eyes met mine.He didn’t appear surprised to see me.Like always, he seemed bored, aloof, as if the rest of the world meant little to him and was in his way.
“Oakley.”He said my name with his thick Southern Georgia drawl.
“Thatcher,” I replied.“Long time.”
The corner of his lips quirked like he might smile but didn’t.“Not since you broke my little brother’s heart, I believe.”
I winced.I didn’t want to be reminded of that.I’d had fun with Sebastian.He was a great distraction when I desperately needed one.For a while, I’d almost been happy.Up until he had gone and asked me to marry him with a ring the size of a golf ball.
“No hard feelings.You did him a favor.He’s not meant for marriage.His life in Vegas is thriving.Thank you.”His words weren’t meant to be mocking.He was being sincere.
I smiled.“Glad I could give him the push to find his place in life.”
Thatcher chuckled then.Something that was rare.“You did that all right.”
His gaze swung back to Wilder.There was something unspoken there, but Wilder understood the silent conversation, it seemed.
When Wilder turned back to us, he looked at me.Not Sarah.“Why don’t you take Sarah to the kitchen and get started on one of the many baked items you plan on making?Thatcher will help me bring in the rest of the decorations.”
There was a seriousness in his eyes that had me placing my hand on Sarah’s back and turning her around.
“We have some cake pops that look like turkeys I want to try,” I told her.“Let’s leave the lifting to the men.”
Fourteen
Wilder
As I closed the door to the house behind me and stepped out onto the front porch, Thatcher’s amused look annoyed me.
“Oakley Watson here, playing house with your kid and dog,” he said with a smirk.
“It’s not like that,” I replied through clenched teeth.“Now, what is the issue in Atlanta?”
Thatcher glanced back at the house.“She’s a hot piece of ass.Don’t stand there and act like you haven’t noticed.I know she’s the kid’s aunt, but she’s also a looker.One who had you so wrapped up nine years ago that you stayed drunk for months after Sylvia got pregnant.”
I didn’t need to take a walk down memory lane.We had work to handle.Life and the real world.
“It’s in the past.Well and buried.What is happening with the Miltos?”
“Sure it is.You’ve got that sexy little cunt walking around your house, and you’re not at all affected.Tell me, Wilder, when did you get neutered?”
