“What do you mean?”
Meggie put down the knife and put her hand on Jess’s wrist. Jess looked up into blue eyes that were very much like her own. Though Meggie’s hair was graying, the resemblance was striking. Jess had always been rather pleased that she got her mother’s looks. She’d wished she had more of her mom’s strength, though. She’d become a single mom of teenagers and dealt with the grief of losing her husband and done it all with grace and patience.
“I saw how Rick looked at you. And how you looked at him. There’s something happening between you. I just want you to be sure, okay? I love Rick, but he’s been struggling. And I’ve waited a very long time for you to take this step. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
Jess blinked several times as emotion welled up inside her. She met her mother’s gaze and gave her a watery smile. “I love you, Mom. And I promise it’s okay. I’m being careful. Not rushing into anything and keeping my eyes wide open.”
“I know you are. I just want you to be happy.”
“I’m working on it.” She gave the potatoes one final ma
sh. “What do you think, okay?”
“Perfect,” Meggie answered. “Why don’t you call the boys and round up the kids? We’ll get everything on the table.”
Jess stuck her head into the den and took a second to imprint the scene on her heart. Her favorite men in the world were gathered in this room—doctor, teacher, cop, soldier. All of them friends, brothers, and protectors of those they loved—whichever was needed at the time. And one was something more. Lover. Rick was sitting next to Mark drinking soda from a can and scowling at the television, grumbling about a bad call. Being with him changed everything.
She just wasn’t sure what she wanted to do about it.
Rick half-turned to put his empty on an end table and saw her standing there. For a few moments their gazes caught and clung, the connection between them as strong as ever. He was out of his ratty T-shirt today and instead wore jeans and a button-down shirt in soft blue. She hadn’t noticed earlier but he’d had his hair cut, too. It was neater along the sides and back, but she could still see the hint of curl there.
And the moment drew out …
Josh shouted at the television and Jess blinked. “Um, we’re ready to eat, guys. Hope you’re hungry.”
“About time,” Bryce said. “I’m starving.”
Jess reluctantly dragged her gaze away from Rick and went to find the kids. By the time she had them with their hands washed and heading to the kitchen, Sarah was shooing everyone to the table while she put a huge pitcher of water in the center. Jess had Alice on her hip, and she inhaled the scent of baby lotion, made stronger by the exertion of the baby’s games with her cousins.
“Let’s get you in your high chair, hmm?” she asked, giving Alice a kiss on the cheek. Mary was seated next to the chair, ready with a bowl of mashed potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes. It only took a moment for Alice to start banging her hands on the plastic tray, clearly excited about what was about to come her way.
Mark, as head of the hosting family, said a brief blessing and then they all dug in.
Bowls were passed and glasses filled until everyone had a bit of everything. Jess marveled that Josh and Tom managed to keep all their food on their plates without the use of sideboards to keep the gravy from dripping off. Beside her, Rick was loaded up with vegetables and turkey and one of Meggie’s fresh buns. “You’re going to have to roll me home after this,” he said, picking up his fork. “I haven’t eaten like this since…”
He hesitated, and Jess’s heart went out to him. “Since Roberta cooked for you?”
He nodded. Put the fork in his mouth and chewed but Jess knew his mood had taken a hit.
“You still have family. You have people who care about you.”
“And yet you were the only one who thought to invite me today.”
“Well, I care about you.” She kept her voice low and stared down at her plate, making a show of spearing a few golden circles of carrot.
And then she reached over, not caring that it was his prosthetic that she was touching, and squeezed his hand.
Two tables had been set up—one being the dining table with all its leaves inserted, which sat eight comfortably and right now held a crowded eleven. Another card table had been set up nearby, where Mark and Sarah ate with their kids. The noise from separate conversations kept the volume at a steady hum and Jess watched out of the corner of her eye as Rick managed to cut his turkey, somewhat awkwardly but successfully. Pete regaled the group with a tale of his latest fishing trip and Bryce had his own stories to share about life as the police chief. Someone asked about the sale the next day at Treasures; Meggie assured Jess she was coming over to help out but only for a few hours because she wanted to take advantage of the markdowns around town as she was hoping to get some holiday shopping done.
Jess looked around her and felt so very blessed. No matter her troubles, no matter her mistakes, she had a wonderful family. She looked up and met Josh’s gaze and he smiled at her, looked at Rick, looked back at her, and winked.
She winked back.
CHAPTER 16
When the main course was over, it was time for pie. The kids went to work clearing the table and loading the dishwasher while pumpkin and pecan pies were taken from the cool back porch and a golden apple pie was taken out of the oven where it had been warming. They were all lined up on the butcher block for cutting when Sarah let out an “Oh, no!”
Everyone looked up.