Page 31 of Still Afraid

Everyone laughed, and Josh said, “I don’t think he likes being called that.”

Gabe looked at the dog. “Then act a little braver or go check on Chloe.”

Poirot snorted, got up, and lumbered into the kitchen.

Josh shook his head. “Sometimes I worry about how much that dog understands.”

Jesse said, “Considering how much Chloe has spent talking to him, I’m not surprised.”

Josh chuckled. “I didn’t say surprised.”

They all laughed. Josh was grateful for a little levity considering the thunder rumbling in the distance.

About five minutes later, Chloe came around the corner. Her dad immediately reached over and shut the lid of his laptop.

“Dinner is ready.”

The men stood and crossed to the connected dining room. Aliza and Kelsey appeared with the kids from somewhere else in the house.

They sat in their usual seats, and Josh reached over and took Chloe’s hand. She gripped it gently. Not the fierce grip he had expected given the anxiety she’d been displaying all day.

Thunder cracked incredibly close to the house. Chloe jumped, and her fingers tightened around his. He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.

Her shoulders lifted with an intentional breath before she released it in a whoosh.

Chloe’s dad prayed for the meal, and they all dove into the pork loin, roasted broccoli, and pasta salad. Conversation flowed beautifully as it always did with the Jacobs’ family. These people loved each other deeply, and it showed in the respect and grace they extended.

Having everyone together around the table was rare. So while Lydia and her crew and Aaron were missed dearly, it didn’t feel odd to not have them there this evening.

Thoughts of family made Josh yearn to see his again soon. Amelia and her family, along with their parents, weren’t too far, being just on the other side of the mountains in North Carolina, but the trek still required an entire weekend and made dinner any given night impossible. Then his brother Mark was entirely too far away. With the demands of the FBI, seeing him was a major holiday-only event.

The rain pelted the windows, and thunder shook the entire house. Chloe jumped with nearly every boom. Poirot was curled up under the table right at her feet.

Phone alerts went off around the table, and quick glances were passed among the adults.

Bonnie, Chloe’s mom, stood. “Fill your plates and let’s move this meal into the basement.”

Chloe reached for the pasta salad spoon. Her hand shook so much that pasta rained on the table.

Josh quietly took the spoon from her hand and dished her up a good portion, then gave himself some too. “I’ll carry your plate.”

“Thanks.” She turned to Jesse’s middle child, who was three years old, and picked him up then called Poirot to join them. “Come on, Poirot.”

They all piled into the movie theater room tucked into the corner of the basement, completely beneath the ground. Bonnie laid out a blanket at the front of the room for the kids to settle and finish eating, and the adults took the chairs. The cushiest tornado shelter Josh had ever been in.

Josh made sure Chloe was settled with her food before wandering over to Troy’s computer to check out the storm.

“I think we’ll be fine, but I’d rather stay down here until this”—Troy pointed at the screen—“part of the front passes.”

Josh nodded. “Seems wise.” He returned to Chloe a few minutes later.

She had her phone out and was watching the storm on the radar.

“Hey, there’s no reason for you to watch that. Your dad’s got it covered.”

“I know, but keeping an eye on it calms the mind a lot more than sitting here doing nothing.”

“Maybe distracting the kids will distract you too.”