Page 104 of Night Prey
The brothers shot out hands for serving bowls and plates. Instead of taking food for themselves, they offered it to their significant others first. Peggy and Jenna helped the children get their food, and Karlie reminded them twice about the drumstick.
Once Russ had removed one from the turkey he was carving, Peggy put it on the child’s plate. “Think you can eat all of that, sweetie?”
Karlie gave a solemn nod. “My other daddy never let me have it. He said my lame hands couldn’t hold it. But I can. See.” She picked up the drumstick and took a large bite.
Malone leaned close to Ian. “Karlie has juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Her dad used to mock her when the poor thing couldn’t control her autoimmune disease.”
“That’s cruel.”
Malone nodded, tears wetting her eyes over how that man had treated this sweet little child. She was glad he was no longer in the picture. Not that she was happy he’d died, but at least Karlie had been spared that cruelty all her life. Karlie reminded Malone of how she’d always believed she had something to prove growing up. Hopefully, with Brendan on Karlie’s side, she would outgrow that need.
Natalie held out a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes, and Malone took a generous helping. Plates were soon overloaded with food, and the room was quiet, save silverware clinking against china and the children giggling.
“Ah,” Peggy said, still standing at the head of the table. “This is what a mother wants to hear. Her family enjoying their food.”
“It’s great, as usual, Peg,” Russ said.
Everyone murmured their agreement.
“Anyone need anything before I sit,” she asked.
“Just for you to enjoy your own food.” Russ got up and pulled out her chair, then kissed her cheek.
“Before I do, it’s time to share what we’re thankful for this year. And what a year it’s been, so I’ll start by sharing my thanks for all the lovely young women who have joined our family. Some not officially yet, but I know it will happen. And for the faithful husband Reed has been to Sierra. And the blessing of children added to our family. All five precious little babies. Wow. My heart is full.”
“I’m not a baby,” Willow called out, giving Peggy a fond look. “But I know what you mean.”
Malone understood some of what this child was experiencing today. As a foster child, though it was clear Willow already deeply loved this family, she knew it was temporary. The Byrds couldn’t adopt the children, and neither could Natalie and Drake, who’d helped rescue them. No one could, not without their parents’ permission. Even though they were both in prison, neither would relinquish rights to the children.
“I really can’t top Peg’s speech,” Russ said. “Except that I’m thankful for my continued health, and for my son’s generous gift of a kidney, which keeps me moving along.”
Wine glasses with sparkling apple cider were raised to that and clinked.
Peggy sat at the table. “Ian and Malone, since you are the newest members of our family, why don’t you go next?”
Malone’s heart was full to brimming at having a family to call her own again, and she was too choked up to talk. She gestured at Ian to speak.
“I…well…I’ve never done this before.”
“Not once?” Karlie’s question came from the other table.
“Not once.” He looked around the table, but no one seemed surprised or judgmental.
Karlie hopped up and came to stand by Ian. “I can help if you need it ’cause we have something to be thankful for every day. That’s what Mommy says when we pray.”
“I think I can handle it on my own, but thanks for the offer.”
“See, you can be thankful for me.” She spun and rushed back to the table.
Brendan and Jenna shared a what-are-you-gonna-do look.
Ian cleared his throat and set his fork down. “I’m thankful for the beginning of a relationship with an amazing woman. And for God, showing me how wrong I’d been for years.”
“God doesn’t care if we’re wrong,” Karlie said. “You just gotta ask for forgiveness and really mean it.”
The table erupted in laughter, and Karlie looked baffled. Jenna got up and went over to whisper something to her daughter, and that smile was back in place as Karlie sat. “Sorry, everybody. I gotta be quiet now and eat so I can have pie.”
This time the others held their laughter, but smiles abounded, and Malone felt her throat closing even more.
