Page 71 of The Cowboy Who Looked Again

“Definitely,” Misty said. “Sunnie, you’re the chef, right?”

Sunnie’s chest and shoulders expanded as she glowed with pride. “Yes, ma’am. I helped with the rolls and the green beans tonight.”

“I can’t wait to have them.” Misty hugged Heather and said something about her hair, and then she properly shook Smiles’s and Rock’s hands. When she arrived in front of Daddy, Link simply watched as she took his tall, broad-shouldered, sometimes grumpy father into her arms.

“Good to see you again, Bear.”

“You too,” he said easily, his eyes coming up and finding Link’s. Link grinned, because Daddy could be tamed pretty easily. “Come sit down. Sammy put you by Link, of course.” He stepped back and looked down the row of his children. “Everyone, sit.”

And there was a bit of the grizzly Link knew and loved.

Link moved forward and glided his hand along Misty’s lower back. “We’re over here, sweetheart.” He took her around the table and pulled her chair out for her. She glanced up at him as she sat, and Link took his place beside her while everyone else went back into the kitchen.

Momma talked in hushed, hurried tones, and then they all brought over a bowl or a tray or a serving utensil. The food got placed down the length of the table, and everyone sat.

All eyes, including Link’s, moved to their daddy, and he brought his hands up and clasped them in front of him. “I love having dinner with my family.” He smiled with all the force of a loving, caring father—which was exactly who Bear Glover was.

Link grinned at him. “Thanks for having me and Misty.” Out of sight, he took her hand in his, and she beamed over to him.

“You two are welcome here anytime,” Momma said.

“Okay, Rock, you feelin’ well enough to pray?” Daddy looked at Rock, whose expression didn’t move. His nickname was so apt, because he never really let much bother him, and he remained stoic through stressful situations.

“Yes, sir,” he said, his eyes flicking over to Misty. “I’m not contagious anymore.”

“Link told me,” she said with a nod and a smile.

Rock nodded once and bowed his head. Link had grown up with Rock, so he knew the boy didn’t waste any breath or any time when it was his turn to pray. So he quickly bowed his head, but Misty was a little slower.

Link grinned as Rock said, “Dear Lord, we’re real glad to be together for dinner tonight as a family. Thank You for giving us families, and bless those that feel alone that Thou will send someone to them. Someone to remind them that they don’t have to be alone, that Thou is aware of them, that we all have a place to belong.”

He paused for only long enough to take a quick breath. “We’re grateful for the food, for good parents, for this life in Texas, and for each other. Bind our hearts, and bless us to forgive each other. Amen.”

“Amen,” Link murmured while a few other of his family members said it much louder. He’d barely released Misty’s hand, and Smiles had barely dove for the platter with the turkey on it before Sunnie said, “Misty, do you have a favorite recipe?”

Link hid his smile and reached for the bacony green beans, which had been placed in front of him. He didn’t mind the questions, and he didn’t mind if Daddy was a little polar-bear tonight, or grizzly, or teddy.

If Misty stayed around for much longer, she’d see all of his daddy’s personalities. She’d realize that Momma sometimes snapped at the kids, and sometimes overcooked their poultry, and sometimes did everything exactly, exactly right.

She’d become Heather’s and Sunnie’s best friends, and Smiles would charm her with his positivity and optimism. Even Rock would claim her as part of the family by quietly confiding in her when he needed help with something and didn’t want anyone else to know.

Link looked across the table to his brother, and their eyes met. He nodded at him, saying he sure was glad to see him, and Rock nodded back, saying, I’m glad you’re here, Link.

Dishes moved around the table while Misty talked about a stuffed hamburger recipe she used to make in Dallas. Once the green beans made it back to him, Link picked up his freshly baked roll and started slathering on butter and jam. “You got everything, baby?” he asked, looking over to Misty.

She’d heaped food on her plate, and her eyes shone like stars and diamonds combined. Link couldn’t help thinking of fireflies when he looked at her, and he grinned at her. “Looks like it.”

She nudged him with her shoulder. “Don’t make fun of me. I’m hungry.”

“I can see that.” He chuckled and looked to his momma. She smiled at him, but she didn’t start asking questions the way Link expected her to. “Thanks for dinner, Momma.”

“Yes, thank you,” Misty said, switching her smile over to Momma. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Oh, surely you have,” Momma said.

“No, really,” Misty said. “My mother didn’t cook.”

Link ducked his head, glancing at her as he went back to his food.

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