Page 112 of What I Should Have Known

“These are pretty.” She stuffed her face near the flowers and inhaled deeply. “How’d you know sunflowers are my favorite?”

“Just a wild guess,” I replied and reached down, yanking both boys off my legs and hoisting them above my shoulders.

They giggled as I spun in a circle. Keeping my arms around their chests, their wild laughter filled my heart with a rejuvenation like blossoms in the spring. I’d once done something similar with Raiden. Lucky for me, he’d forgiven me once I’d returned home too.

“You think flowers and entertaining those two automatically win you approval?” Kat’s father sliced through the momentary joy.

“Dad,” Kat hissed.

I shook my head and gently flipped the boys back down to their feet. “It’s fine Kat. He’s just protecting you.”

“Exactly. Now, come sit. Right next to me.” Kat’s dad patted the seat to his left as nothing but the bubbling of gravy on the stove filled the air.

I stalked over to the empty chair, and without breaking eye contact, slid it back from the long, rectangular, ornate oak table. As I sat down, body heat encompassed my opposite side, and from the corner of my eyes, I watched Kat plop herself in the spot next to me.

“No, Kat, honey. You’re over here.” Her father tapped the plate across from me.

She shook her head. “Colton can sit there. You haven’t seen him in a while.” With deliberation, she jerked the chair forward and scooted closer to the table.

Her father crossed his hands as the front door swung open and laughterfilled the house again.

I remained silent as the table eventually filled with the rest of the family and the delicious roast and potatoes Kat’s mom had made. Colton sat across from me, with Sawyer across from Kat and the two youngest on either side of their mom who sat at the opposite head of the table.

Casual family conversation bloomed around me as I observed the family and ate, all while ignoring the death stare Kat’s father had yet to remove from me.

Every slice of his knife through the meat came with a sharp squint in my direction.

Each bite he shoved into his mouth resulted in another icy stare toward me.

“So, Bernie,” Kat’s mom said, temporarily pulling my attention away from the awkward tension between Hank and me. “I never mentioned how wonderful that cookout was. Your friend, Ford. Where’d he learn to cook like that?”

“He’s from Louisiana. The bayou in this little town called Willow Roux. His family’s been there for generations, so he grew up with that food. Pretty sure his family owns an authentic Cajun restaurant,” I replied and slid another bite of roast in my mouth. “This is absolutely delicious, by the way. Thank you for the invitation.”

“It’s not our pleasure,” Kat’s father snapped, sliding himself into the conversation.

“Seriously, Dad,” Kat muttered under her breath.

“What? You want me to lie and pretend like I am okay with this? His reputation isn’t exactly one on the positive side, plus he ran away.” Her dad narrowed his gaze as he shoveled some potatoes in his mouth.

“I’ll be the first to admit I don’t always give off the best first impression,” I said without breaking my gaze.

“That’s it? You flew into town, and nobody knows what you do for work, even your mother won’t say anything. Then you somehow manage to stir up this major mess, and lose my daughter her fiancé, plus expose his drug habit that no one knew he had.” Hank’s fork clinked against the plate as he placed it down.

“One, I’m surprised you find the fact that Wyatt was involved in using and selling drugs as something bad against me, when it saved your daughter from a life with that. Two, I didn’t stir up the mess to find an easy way out of having competition. Which I know is exactly what you’re hinting at.” I gently placed my own knife and fork down and casually rested my hands in my lap.

“Don’t put words in my mouth, young man.” Hank wiped his lips with his napkin.

“Look your daughter in the eye and tell her I’m wrong, then.”

He clenched his jaw. “What about a job? My daughter deserves someone who can provide for her.”

I glanced at Kat, silently asking for her permission. She nodded once, and I returned my attention to her father. Sliding my thumb beneath the chain dangling around my neck, I slipped the dog tags out from beneath my shirt.

Colton dropped his fork onto his plate with a loud bang as a sharp hiss slid between Sawyer’s teeth.

“What’s that?” Kat’s father squinted, leaning closer.

“You’ve seen it before. During branding day.” I pulled it over the top of my head and stretched it out toward the man.

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