Page 72 of Every Beat of My Heart

“I’m grateful for your hospitality and for Jameson’s guidance this year with fire prevention and football skills. You’ve added so much to our lives.”

I touched my heart with my hand. “You hear that, boys? I’m kind of a big deal.”

My brothers groaned and threw out barbs about showing Claire our family’s photo album after dinner.

“That’s enough of that,” Dad’s voice boomed over everyone else’s. ”We’re happy to have you both here. I hope that you’ll see that there’s more to Jameson than jokes.”

“She already knows that,” I said while smiling at Claire.

“Let’s dig into our food. It’s going to get cold.” We’d had more organized Thanksgivings, but this one was perfect because Claire was by my side.

I cut into my turkey, taking a bite before asking Claire, “Are you okay? Sorry I left you alone for so long.”

Claire waved a hand at me. “I was fine. I hung out with your sisters and helped get dinner ready.”

Curious about her family, I asked, “What do you normally do on Thanksgiving?”

Claire cut her turkey. “Being with family can come with a lot of expectation. This is a nice break.”

“I think I know what you mean.” At home, I fell into my usual role as youngest brother. No one expected much from me because that’s what I’d given them for years.

Beside her, Owen was shoveling in his food. He was probably starving from the workout we got playing football. I nudged Claire’s shoulder. “He’s going to eat you out of house and home here soon.”

Claire smiled. “I only have one boy. I can’t imagine what it was like trying to feed seven kids.”

“Eh. We fed ourselves. Each one of us had a night to cook, and we even bought groceries at the store.”

“Jameson’s night was always spaghetti and meatballs or ravioli,” Wes added.

“Hey, those are easy and filling, and everyone’s favorite,” I said to Claire by way of explanation.

“I think it’s great you can cook,” Claire said, and her praise washed over me like a warm comforting blanket. I wanted more of it.

“How’s Sutton doing?” Daphne asked Wes. “Is she planning on stopping by tonight?”

It had become a tradition for Sutton to escape her more stuffy formal family meals and show up here by the end of the night.

Wes checked his phone. “She said she’s on her way. Should be here soon.”

“Have you checked the weather? It starting to freezing rain,” Teddy said.

We all looked out the window where it was getting dark, but you could still see ice pellets coming down.

“You think she’ll be okay driving?” I asked Wes.

He tensed. “I hope so.”

Teddy cleared his throat. “She already left, but maybe you should call her and tell her to turn around. The roads out here will be worse than in town.”

“I’ll do that.” Wes stood and left the room.

“When are those two going to make a move already?” Fiona asked.

“Wes and Sutton?” I asked to clarify, and when she nodded, I said, “Never. Wes values their friendship too much.” He was protective of her and their friendship.

They’d become friends in school, and whatever she confided in him brought out every protective instinct he had. I was sure it had something to do with her family. There always seemed to be some drama there.

Wes never let us talk smack about her, nor were we allowed to make a move. He always emphasized that we were her second family, so we should treat her like a cousin.

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