Page 103 of Night Prey
She cast a dreamy look up at her husband. “Definitely worth discussing.”
“Maybe we should bail on dinner and discuss it in detail.” He winked at her.
“And risk your mother’s disappointment. No way.” Jenna laughed.
“Come on, people,” Peggy brought in the second turkey just as golden brown and perfect as the first. “Have a seat before the food gets cold.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Brendan saluted his mom, and she laughed.
Brendan poked his thumb over his shoulder and looked at Malone. “I saw your name tags in the middle on the other side. My mom put you next to Drake and Natalie. I heard her say you’d likely be more comfortable since you’ve known Natalie for a while.”
“Your mom really tries to think of everything, doesn’t she?” Ian asked.
“Sometimes too much.” Brendan chuckled and took his wife’s elbow to direct her down the side of the long table.
Ian, still clasping Malone’s hand, led them to their places. They passed Reed, who was holding Asher, and Malone gave the baby’s head a kiss.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” she said to her brother and Sierra.
Reed nodded, a contented look on his face. “We have a lot to be thankful for this year.”
She squeezed Ian’s hand and looked up at him. “More than I could ever imagine.”
“Mom’s giving me the stink eye,” Sierra said. “We can catch up after dinner.”
They split up, and Malone made quick work of introducing Drake and Natalie after giving Natalie a hug.
“The social worker,” Ian said to Natalie.
“Correct.” Natalie smiled. “I bet it’s been a challenge to learn who everyone is.”
He nodded.
“Don’t let it overwhelm you. I thought it was going to be hard at first, but every single person in this family is welcoming. Even if the guys do still fight and tease like little boys.”
“Hey now,” Drake grabbed her into a hug. “We just discuss things. Loudly.”
Natalie rolled her eyes.
“Sit!” Peggy called out again. “Please! You can catch up while eating.”
Ian pulled Malone’s chair out. The Byrd boys had impeccable manners, so there was a lot of that going on around the table. Malone would expect nothing less from Peggy’s and Russ’s children.
Russ stood to offer a prayer of thanks and a blessing for the food and for Peggy’s hard work in preparing it. The moment the prayer ended, he looked down the table. “I think it’s time for the youngest to get to carve the other turkey. Erik, will you do the honors?”
Erik gave his fiancée, Kennedy, a smile, then hopped up to grab a knife and serving fork and held them up in triumph. “About time the second turkey is decently carved.”
Clay rolled his eyes. “You might do better than everyone else, but no one will top my mad skills.”
“I’m sorry I missed seeing that.” His wife, Toni, kissed Clay on the cheek.
Clay grinned at her. “It was epic.”
Drake snorted. “Says you and only you.”
The brothers laughed and spouted off good-natured wisecracks.
Peggy tsked. “You’d think no one taught you boys table manners. You can go ahead and eat.”
