Page 63 of Melody

Cassie’s brown eyes along with her furrowed brow expressed her confusion. Kyle said, “Uh, long story. But yeah…Melody.”

“Okay, weirdo,” his sister said. “Dinner’s almost ready if you guys wanna take off your coats and stuff.”

When his sister left the room, Kyle hung up his leather jacket on a coat tree by the door. “I can get yours too.” Melody handed him her coat and purse, waiting patiently. She knew introductions like these always started out awkwardly but would feel much better after a little time talking. That was the part she wanted to get over with, because she wanted to get to know Kyle’s family. That had been the biggest thing missing in her life since the passing of her parents, and it was something she yearned for.

While Kyle placed a couple of wrapped gifts under the small tree in front of the living room window, Scarlett took in the space. Although the living room had a warm, inviting feel, it also felt a little crowded. The coffee and end tables were all filled withbooks, magazines, pictures, and other items. She couldn’t help but notice all the pictures of one young man who looked a little like Kyle, but with darker hair and haunted gray eyes. “Is that…your brother?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“Yeah, that’s Liam.”

Kyle stood, holding out a hand. “Do you want me to put your gift under the tree?”

“No. I’d like to give it to them before we eat.”

Nodding, he stuck out his hand and led her through the house. The living room had two other doors—one that opened into what appeared to be a dark hallway and another that brought them into a brightly lit dining room. In the center was a wooden table with six matching chairs and atop the table were two white taper candles with flickering flames, surrounded by a napkin holder, salt and pepper shakers, and a butter dish. The walls were a muted baby blue with a couple of framed paintings of nature scenes—and lots of family photos.

Melody tried to concentrate on the savory smells coming from the kitchen and, as she did, her mouth started to water. Kyle continued guiding her through the room and they paused at the door to the left as Cassie appeared, holding stacked plates holding an array of silverware. Once she was through, they entered the kitchen.

Compared to the living and dining rooms, the kitchen was small. Everything one would need was there—stove, refrigerator, sink, and even a small table—but the space was tight. An older woman stood at the stove, stirring something in a pot. Kyle said, “Hey, mom.”

Turning, the woman gave them a muted, tired smile that barely reached her light brown eyes, her graying brown hair pulled up into a loose bun that left many stray hairs floating around her head. The woman appeared to be thin, with the apron merely masking just how small she was. But Melodydidn’t know this woman; she might have always been on the thin side. “Kyle, good to see you. And you must be the girlfriend I’ve heard a little about.”

“Yeah, mom, this is Melody.”

With a big smile, Melody stuck out her hand and she couldn’t quite register the vibe she was picking up from Kyle’s mother. It had to be simply because she was nervous and not reading it right. “Nice to meet you,” she said, before taking the bottle of wine out of the bag.

“I’m Linda.”

“Linda, this is for you and Cassie. I wanted to wish you merry Christmas.”

“Oh, thank you.” His mother held the bottle in her hands, examining it as if she’d never seen something like it before. Then, placing it on the table, she said, “We can have it with dinner. Kyle, would you open it and put it in the dining room, please?”

“Uh, sure.”

“Can I help with anything?” Melody asked.

“We’re almost ready. I’m just making the gravy right now. You can help Cass finish setting the table. The glasses are up there,” she said, pointing to a cabinet with the wooden spoon in her hand, “and the wine glasses are in the hutch in the dining room.”

“Uh…should I get four glasses or are you expecting other company?”

“Just four.”

While Kyle was locating a corkscrew, Melody walked past him with glasses in hand. When she got to the dining room, Cassie was finishing putting the silverware next to the plates. “The fork goes on the left, right?”

Melody smiled, relieved that she actually knew the answer. “Yep.”

“It’s so weird. I mean, unless you’re left-handed, it doesn’t make sense to have it there.”

Melody started placing the glasses around the table. “My dad told me it’s to make things easier when you have to cut them—like steak or chicken breast or something. You have a knife in your right hand while holding the meat steady with the fork in your left.”

“I guess that just goes to show how much meat I eat.”

Melody smiled, nodding her head. “Yeah, I get that. Uh…I brought a bottle of wine for you guys and your mom said we would drink it with dinner. She said you have wine glasses in here.”

“Oh, yeah. Cool. Thanks!” Cassie opened the hutch behind one side of the table and took out four wine glasses, setting them on the table. Melody took them and placed them next to the drinking glasses at each place setting. “I think it’s all set—so here’s hoping it’s time to eat. I’m starving.”

So far, so good.

When Kyle entered the dining room with the bottle of wine, he set it on the table. “Mom said this kind of wine tastes better if you don’t put it in the fridge.”

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