Page 34 of Truth

I helped Brianna out of the car, closed the door behind her, and gathered her into my arms. “Jimmy and Samantha are here.” She tensed. “It’s all right. Remember your rules and you’ll be fine. Do we need to go over them again?”

“No, Sir. I remember.”

“Good girl. Now try to relax. You’re safe.”

We were two steps from the front door when it opened. I’d expected my aunt, but instead Richard stood ominously in the doorway, his features unreadable.

“You’re late.”

His tone was tempered, but his eyes were fierce as he stared at me. I sighed and stepped forward to go around him. Even though I knew another lecture was most likely coming, I did my best to act as if he were only irritated about our tardiness.

With my arm tucked around Brianna’s waist, I smiled at my uncle. “I sent Diane a message. I do hope we haven’t kept everyone waiting too long.”

He looked at me again and then turned his attention to Brianna. His features softened. She wasn’t paying attention to Richard, though. Instead, her focus appeared to be on a picture on the other side of the room. It was a family portrait taken two years before my parents’ deaths. I made a mental note to get her a closer look after dinner.

“No. She’s just putting everything out on the table now.”

“Great!” I said with exaggerated enthusiasm, and began steering Brianna toward the dining room. A half second later, Richard followed. I had a feeling it was going to be another interesting Sunday afternoon.

Chapter Eleven

Stephan

Jimmy was the first to see us when we walked into the room. Once he’d announced he was going into medicine, Richard had taken him under his wing. Apparently he and his wife were going to be regular guests in my aunt and uncle’s home from here on out. Jimmy smiled. “About time you showed up. I’m starved.”

This, of course, got the attention of both his wife and my aunt. Diane set down the bowl of salad she had in her hands and walked toward us without preamble. She pulled me in for a hug, squeezing with more force than necessary. “I’m so glad you came,” she whispered.

I hugged her back with one arm, refusing to let go of Brianna. “I couldn’t turn down your spaghetti and meatballs, could I?”

She stepped back, smacking my shoulder playfully. “If that’s all it takes to get you to come see me, I’ll serve spaghetti every week.”

I laughed.

Brianna had been standing stoically beside me until Diane turned her attention from me to her. Diane wasted no time stepping forward and hugging Brianna as well. Brianna remained stiff for a long moment and then returned my aunt’s hug with her free hand.

“It’s so good to see you again.”

“Thank you,” Brianna responded as my aunt stepped back.

Diane smiled. “I hope you’re all hungry,” she said as she turned her attention to the food once more.

Without further delay, we all took our seats around the table. Diane and Richard were at each end, with Brianna and me on one side, and Jimmy and Samantha on the other. I hadn’t missed Samantha’s intense scrutiny of Brianna, but she hadn’t said anything and Brianna hadn’t reacted to it, so I chose to ignore it. At least for the time being.

As I took the first bite of spaghetti, I was transported back to the many times I’d spent helping both my aunt and my mom in the kitchen. My parents had employed a cook who had come in during the week, but on the weekends Mom had insisted we could cook for ourselves, and she’d required that we all help. It was because of her I could cook as well as I did. Not that I was a stellar chef or anything, but I could hold my own, especially with a recipe in front of me.

I hadn’t realized my trip down memory lane had drawn the attention of my dinner companions until Brianna touched my arm. I looked over at her and could see the worry on her face. Taking her hand, I laced our fingers together and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. She didn’t look convinced.

“Is everything all right, Stephan?” Samantha asked. It was the first time she’d spoken since we’d arrived.

“Yes. I’m fine.” Then to get the attention off me, I asked Jimmy how things were going at the hospital.

Throughout the rest of dinner, he regaled us with stories. Everyone appeared to be enthralled and thoroughly distracted by Jimmy’s tales—everyone but Brianna. Worry lines creased her forehead, even as she ate.

I leaned over and spoke softly in her ear. “I’m fine, sweetheart. I promise. Relax and enjoy your meal.” She nodded, and I could tell she was trying to obey. Lifting her hand, I placed a kiss on her knuckles before releasing my hold and going back to my food. I didn’t want her worrying about me. I really was fine.

Diane stood as everyone was finishing. “Brianna, would you like to help me bring in dessert?”

Brianna stared up at me, unsure.

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