Page 67 of Louder Than Words

I step around the chaos that is Desmond already putting James in a headlock and make a beeline for the kitchen. The smell hits me immediately—turkey, butter, and maybe something cinnamon-y.

And then I see her.

Allie’s crouched in front of the oven, apron still on, hair pulled up into that loose knot that never stays in place for more than ten minutes. She’s completely lost in her own little world, basting the turkey like it’s second nature.

I discard the chocolate satin pie I brought just for her and step in behind her, sliding my arms carefully around her waist. I press a soft kiss to the curve of her neck.

Although, it proves to be a little more difficult since she’s wearing a bloody jumper in this blistering kitchen.

She relaxes into me, taking a slow breath as she closes the oven and turns in my arms.

“Hey,” she murmurs into my chest.

“Hi,” I breathe into her hair, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. “I, uh, brought some pie. You know, since you just love it so much.”

She pulls away just enough to swat my shoulder, but I don’t miss the little spark in her eyes. The one that sayshow dare you call me out.

But I remember everything.

At least the important stuff, anyway.

Mostly.

She’s still watching me, the corner of her mouth twitching upward when I lean in and press a kiss to her forehead.

“Everything smells amazing,” I say, glancing around the kitchen.

The potatoes boiling on the stove, the veggies simmering, and so many smells coming from inside the oven it makes my stomach rumble.

When my eyes land back on her, there’s a pink tinge to her cheeks.

“I hope you guys came hungry,” she says with a soft smile.

Is now when I should mention why there’s a finger imprinted on her pie?

“Where are the girls?” I ask instead.

Her expression flickers. She turns quickly, pretending to check the potatoes again.

“I… uh, let Trevor have them for a few hours,” she says quietly. “They should be back soon.”

My eyebrows pinch together, but then relax. My hand finds her back, rubbing gently through the thick fabric of her jumper. “That was awfully nice of you.”

She turns around, her eyes meeting mine. “You’re not upset?” she asks, sounding shocked.

I chuckle and shake my head. “Why would I be upset about you letting them see their dad?”

She shrugs. “I just… I know I told you they’d be here. And then you show up and they’re not—”

I gently place my hands on her shoulders, slowly drifting down her arms in an attempt to ground her, but the second they reach her bicep—

Sheflinches.

We both freeze in place. But that’s not when I know something is wrong.

It’s the second she refuses to meet my eyes.

“Al?”