Page 10 of Stolen Holidays
The weight on my shoulders melts away with her statement and bleeds into warmth. I love when she reads me. “You always know.”
“I know you.” Callie’s lips curve up as she says, “I like it here too.”
I’m not surprised at her admission. This place, our family, is Callie’s favorite place.
I brush a strand of her silky hair behind her ear, loving the way her bleach-blonde is growing out. “I’ll bring you up here more often.”
Callie bites her bottom lip as emotions I can’t quite nail down flit across her face.
“Don’t you dare, Levi. I will kick your sweet little ass,” Scarlett shouts.
The commotion across the table pops my and Callie’s bubble.
“What the hell is in the bag, Scarlett?” Levi growls, reaching for the bag.
Scarlett pulls it out of his reach. “None of your damn business.” Her blue eyes sparkle with mischief, daring her husband to find out.
Levi accepts the challenge and takes a step forward. “Woman, if you don’t start talking, I’m going to bend you over my knee and smack your sweet little ass.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?” Scarlett taunts.
“Both,” Levi grunts.
“You’d have to catch me first.” Scarlett jumps out of her chair, and the legs screech across the floor. She runs out of the dining room, with Levi hot on her heels.
“What the hell is going on?” I ask Rylann, who laughs nervously.
“Sunshine,” Jace warns, lowering his voice to a decibel that should only be used in the bedroom, and probably is.
“It’s nothing, Ace. Just Scarlett being Scarlett.”
Jace narrows his eyes at his wife, but his probing stare doesn’t faze her.
“Ow!” Everyone’s attention shifts to Emery, who clutches her stomach.
“Are you okay? Is it the baby?” Mason runs his hands over every inch of Emery, panic blowing his eyes wide.
Emery lets out a huff of breath. “Phew. Just some Braxton Hicks contractions.”
“Are you sure? Maybe I should take you to the hospital.”
Mason’s fawning makes me smirk at how his wife brings out this softer side of him.
“No, no. I’m good. This happens, right, Rylann?” Emery asks.
“All the time. Perfectly natural,” Rylann assures Mason, who turns to Talia, looking for medical expertise.
She gives him a nod. You can physically see the tension in his shoulders ease in relief as he places a palm on Emery’s stomach.
Just then, the servers arrive with a variety of steaming and sizzling platters of tacos, rice, beans, fajitas, and more. My mouth waters as the savory scent of Mexican food placed around the table fills the air.
Still on my lap, Callie fixes our plates.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I kiss her neck and then dive into the food.
