Page 23 of Coming for His Second Chance
He takes care of me. With care, his hands glide up my body, cleaning me, and then he washes my hair. It’s wonderful, because I don't have to do anything. He lets me wash him, but stops me from playing around. When we get out, he dries me, like I'm the most precious thing in the world, and even helps me get dressed. I didn't realize how much I needed this right now, but Gray knew. He always knows.
On the drive over, he doesn't let go of my hand, and when he finally parks, he looks at me.
"Let's go in there and try to get through brunch. As soon as we’re done eating, I’ll get us out of there. If you absolutely want to leave before then, just tell me, and we’ll go."
I nod, knowing Gray will always watch out for me, and I need to just get this over with. One more deep breath, and then we head up to the front door. Gray knocks, and my dad opens the door. He's so happy and smiling, while pulling me in for a hug and giving Gray a big one, too.
"Come in and sit down," Dad says.
We walk into the living room, and Linda looks almost murderous. I assume it's because she knows that we uncovered her lie, but we haven't called her out on it. I don't see the point, as she isn't worth that kind of energy.
"This is a family breakfast, so no guests," Linda snaps.
"I said it was okay this once." My dad says softly, and I bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to scream.
Helen saunters out to see what’s going on, and her eyes narrow on Gray.
"I wish you would have told us, and I'd have made more food." She says in a fake sweet voice.
"It’s my fault. She told me." My dad says, taking the blame once again.
The tension in the air is so thick, that you could cut it with a knife. Gray squeezes my hand, letting me know he's okay, and pulling me away from the edge.
Grayson stays within arm’s reach of me the whole time. When we sit down on the couch, he wraps an arm around me, holding me close, as Linda and my dad start talking about someone I don't know.
My dad tries to draw me into a conversation, but Linda takes over every time, and by the third time, I can tell my dad is noticing. Sending him a pointed look, I make my opinion known, before looking away. Gray kisses the top of my head, an action that doesn't go unnoticed by Linda. Though, it seems to make her angry.
Finally, we’re saved by Helen, calling us all to the table. Gray is a perfect gentleman, pulling out my chair, and then taking a seatnext to me as close as he can get. Resting his hand on my thigh under the table, calms and distracts me.
"So, how was the wedding yesterday?" My dad asks.
Dana invited my dad, but she made it clear that Helen and Linda were not invited. To keep the peace, my dad decided not to go, or even mention the invitation to them. It’s sad, because Dana spent so much time here growing up. Well, until Helen and Linda entered the picture, anyway.
"Dana really knew what she was doing. It looked like a winter wonderland." I smile really proud of her, because she planned the entire wedding herself.
"I'm sure it looked good for a small-town wedding," Linda says, rolling her eyes.
I open my mouth to say something, but Gray squeezes my thigh, stopping me. I take a frustrated breath, forcing a smile and ignoring her.
"Her now sister-in-law catered it, and the food was amazing. I'm begging her to get the recipe for that chicken dish we had," I say.
"Doubt it was as good as Mom's dish, being she didn't hire a professional," Linda says under her breath, but still loud enough for all of us to hear.
This time Gray steps in. "Her sister-in-law is a professional caterer and has done several events for my company." He turns to look at my dad. "She was the one who catered the company anniversary party last year."
"Oh, that was the best food I’ve ever had,” Dad says. “But she’s stuck on not handing out her recipes. Her biscuits were so flaky, and I haven't had biscuits like that, since you mother used to make them for me." Dad turns to me with a smile on his face.
Since he's looking at me, he misses the pure hatred on Helen's face. Grayson doesn't, because he just smiles at her.
"I wish I had taken more interest in cooking with her, before she passed," I say without thinking.
My dad stands and leaves the room, so the mask Helen was wearing falls, and she downright glares at me. The mask is back up, when my dad reenters the room.
He sits back down next to me, hands me a book, and it takes a moment for me to realize what it is. When I do, tears fill my eyes, and I can't stop them.
"What is it, Starshine?" Gray asks softly.
"My mom's recipe book. All in her handwriting." I run my hand over the cover, before opening it and finding the French toast casserole she used to make every Christmas morning.
