Page 125 of Night Hawk
No one spoke, the moment too special for words.
“We should pray,” Peggy finally said, her voice choked up.
Everyone took hands, and Toni was acutely aware of the difference between little Karlie’s tiny hand and Clay’s beefy one. But no matter the size difference, they both spoke of a future filled with the love of this amazing family.
Thank you, Father,she offered, then listened to Peggy’s eloquent prayer and added her own amen with the others at the end.
Plates and bowls of food were passed around the table, and Toni loaded her plate with chicken, onions, carrots, and potatoes.
Karlie held her hands over her plate. “Too much, Mommy. Nana made chocolate cake, and I haveta have room.”
“You can eat this and still have a little piece of cake.” Jenna gave her daughter a very serious look, but Toni could tell she wanted to smile instead like everyone else was doing.
“Not little. I want big.” Karlie shoved a carrot into her mouth and chewed.
Toni’s only experience was being around her niece and nephew that weekend, and they were skittish from their ordeal, so she didn’t think it was a true picture of what children could be like. But if this darling little girl was any indication of how kids behaved, Toni might like to find out how she felt about them. She would surely need to know her stance before she ever got into a serious relationship with Clay.
The conversation turned to Harper’s latest ski competition.
“I have to leave first thing in the morning,” Harper said.
“But you just got here.” Peggy narrowed her eyes then waved a hand. “No, don’t listen to me. We’re happy to have you for however long you can be here.”
Harper and Aiden shared a look, and Toni could see Aiden felt the same way. As Harper talked about getting back for training and her next event, Toni admired the woman’s dedication.
Toni glanced at Clay. She was still dedicated to a career in law enforcement, but she wanted time with him, too, and Lisa and the kids, the family she never really had. She understood the joy of family now, and she had to tell Clay about her change in priorities. Not now. Now she would just sit back and learn more about his family she might someday call her own.
After the cake had been devoured, Karlie asking for two pieces, Toni offered to help clean up.
“It’s our night,” Aiden said. “You’ll come up in the rotation in two weeks.”
Toni loved that he expected her to be at dinner in two weeks because she sure planned on it. And she needed to tell Clay how she felt. He’d admitted his love and she had to tell him she loved him too. She looked at him. “Can we talk in private?”
He looked around the room. “How about the deck?”
“Perfect.” Even though Aiden told her not to help, she couldn’t leave her dishes at the table and took them to the kitchen.
Clay raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
She grabbed her jacket and passed Pong, who was still looking longingly at the table.
“Despite Pong’s sad look, he’s fine,” Erik said as he tossed a chew toy. “He has to earn treats or he won’t do his job.”
She nodded, but when she got the dog she’d always wanted, she figured she’d be spoiling it all the time. She joined Clay, who’d stepped into the clear night with a sharp wind. It would be warmer if the clouds and rain returned, but the sky was filled with sparkling stars and a big moon.
“You really didn’t need to do that,” Clay said. “Take your dishes in, I mean.”
“It feels wrong to impose.”
“You’re not imposing. We’ll take our turn and pay them back. Not that everything needs to be paid back in our family. We don’t operate that way.”
“I can see that.”
He leaned against the railing. “What did you want to talk about?”
“I wanted to let you know I get it now.”
“It?”
