Page 85 of Vows in Sin
Seraphina insists on framing her favorites. I pretend I hate it. Secretly, it fills me with pride. I set down a stack of heavy-dutypaper plates, a clatter of real forks, and a pitcher of ice water. My job is done.
I slip into the seat beside Seraphina, greeting her with a kiss. “Good day?”
“The best! I’m hanging out with my favorite kid,” she beams, handing a plate to Eloise beside her. “And tomorrow I’m meeting with a couple about their engagement photos.”
“They’re lucky to have you.”
“Thanks.” She plants a kiss on my cheek and I feel the small gesture down to my steel-toed boots.
Cleo takes a seat, letting us know, “Blaze can’t make it to dinner.” He and Haze are desperately trying to chase down Blaze’s contact with the Morrettis. The one that went silent on him.
Seraphina reaches over Eloise to put a gentle hand on her friend’s arm. “We’ll save him a plate, honey.”
Tabby swoops into the room. “Hey Dad! Hey all!” She finds two empty seats. One for her, one for Hunter. “Why are we piling in here?”
“Puzzle,” I say.
“Nobody goes in there!” Eloise shouts. “We’re ten pieces away from done!”
“Eloise,” I chide.
“Please,” she adds.
The front door opens, Hunter’s deep voice booming, “I’m not late, am I? Tell me Dame left me a leg at least.”
“You’re right on time!” Tabby calls, honey in her voice and glitter in her eyes.
I lean back in my chair, shouting down the hall with gravel. “Take those damn cowboy boots off before you set foot in this house.”
A moment later, Hunter pops up in the doorframe, boots still on, tracking dirt as he goes. He waggles his brows. “Did ya’ll save me a leg? You know I’m a leg man.” He winks at Tabitha.
“And Tabitha is a brain woman, but we can’t always get what we want.” Classic Dame. He’s standing in the doorframe of the kitchen, a heavy bag hanging from each hand.
“Thanks, Dame.” Hunter takes the empty seat between him and my shiny-eyed daughter. Hunter leans over, greeting her with a kiss too deep to be appropriate for the dinner table.
“That’s enough,” I grumble. Seraphina squeezes my thigh under the table.
Eloise points her serious eyes at Tabby. “Are you two gonna get married?”
Tabby laughs. “Not anytime soon, little one.” Conversation closed.
“Here.” I hand Seraphina the bowl of potatoes, hoping the question skips over us. “Help yourself, Doll.”
“Yum!” Seraphina’s fingers brush mine as she takes the bowl to serve her and Eloise. “I love your home cooking, babe.” Eloise already has four half-ears of buttered corn on her plate before Seraphina can even serve her a scoop of potatoes.
Eloise narrows her powerful little gaze at me. “What about you, Uncle Renan? Are you going to marry Seraphina?”
Seraphina tenses against me.
I have one failed marriage. I get the picture that Alessi was more Seraphina’s child than her sister’s. Seraphina’s only beginning to get a hold of her grief. You can imagine the idea of marriage and babies of her own induces anxiety for her.
And it’s a tumultuous time in the family with the Village being gone and what feels like an invisible threat around every corner. I’ll add no extra stress to my doll’s shoulders. I refuse to rush her.
But one day, I hope there will be a ring on her finger and Bachman behind her name.
I nod at Eloise’s plate. “Mind your manners and eat your dinner, Eloise.” She takes a small bite, eyeing me over her fork.
“It’s just a question,” Eloise mumbles to herself. “How’m I gonna know if there’s any more weddings if I can’t ask questions?”
