Page 95 of Starting Back
She padded into the living room without another word.
“I’m sorry,” I told Leo. “Our first appointment is next week, so I’m hoping—”
“Stop. It’s okay. And I think I got a little smile from her just now, if I’m not mistaken, so we’re getting there. I tend to grow on people, whether they like it or not.” I smiled when his brows shot up. “I’m happy to be here with all of you, so don’t worry about that today, all right, babe?”
It was too soon to be so in love with this man, but here I was. The kiss in his truck after we left his aunt and uncle’s apartment still had my head spinning, but my worry over my daughter took my high down a few notches.
“Can I help you, Mrs. Russo?”
“You can help Jake take some of this into the dining room.” She motioned toward the steaming bowls of side dishes and handed him a pot holder. “Thank you, Leo.”
Leo squeezed my hand and grabbed a bowl before he headed out.
“Mom still runs Thanksgiving,” I joked as Jake and I shared a laugh.
“You’re damn right I do,” she said, pretending to scowl at us until a wide smile stretched her lips. “I haven’t been this happy on Thanksgiving Day since…” She looked between Jake and me. “Since a while.” Her throat worked as she reached for our hands and pressed them against her cheeks.
“Christmas is already better too. But, go.” She tilted her chin toward the bowls of side dishes on the counter.
This was a big change from the dark cloud that had hovered over me for the last few holidays, and it was as wonderful as it was unexpected.
My nephew loaded up his plate, plowing through his Thanksgiving dinner and unbothered by his loss to Chloe right before. Chloe seemed quiet, but I hadn’t caught any odd looks in our direction, even when Leo stretched his arm across the back of my chair. I was so excited to have Leo here today, but by the time we finished dinner, it was as if he’d always been there.
I supposed things just clicked when they were right, unlike my past experience of discomfort when I thought sighs and huffs of frustration were an unavoidable part of holidays.
“Is Keith stopping by?” Mom asked as we finished dinner. “Poor kid has to work on Thanksgiving. I’ll make him a plate.”
“Thatkidis the chief of police, so sometimes he doesn’t have a choice but to work,” Jake said, shaking his head. “Nice to know at almost fifty, you still think of us both as kids.”
“I am sure my brother will eat very well on shift today. The police station gets overloaded with pies every year, and everyone is always so happy to feed the chief.” Donna sighed as she leaned back in her chair.
Chloe and Mikey were already yelling upstairs, engrossed in their rematch.
“Aunt Maya took the boys to her brother’s house, so Uncle Keith said he was heading up there after work tonight.” Peyton groaned as she gingerly rose from her seat. “Excuse me for a minute.”
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
She nodded at Jake as she ambled toward the stairs. “Your daughter doesn’t let me rest for too long without kicking my bladder. Sorry if that was too much information, Leo.”
“I remember those days,” I sighed as Peyton trudged toward the bathroom.
Jake stood, mumbling an “excuse me” before following his wife.
“Jake, your wife can go to the bathroom alone. That’s another treat she won’t have for much longer,” Donna called out to Jake, rolling her eyes when he didn’t answer.
“So, wait a minute,” Leo leaned in to whisper to me. “Chief McGrath is Peyton’s uncle?”
I nodded. “You didn’t know that?”
“No. I knew he was your brother’s best friend, though. So…” He clicked his teeth with his tongue. “That must have been interesting.”
“Oh, it was,” Mom answered for me.
“That’s for sure,” Donna said, taking one more forkful from her plate before standing. “I’m sure you’ve met my brother at the firehouse. He’s good friends with Vic, so they both stop by to visit each other and compare town notes. It’s cute.” Donna stacked empty plates without looking up.
“I have a few times. I just didn’t connect the dots.”
“There are nothing but dots in this town, honey. You’ll learn.”
