Page 12 of Holding You
He stares back.
You like it.
I fill his plate half full and set it down in front of him.
“I’m going to need more than that.”
Just when I think he’s about to say something, Susie cuts in. “Dad, manners.”
I press my lips together to keep from laughing, but yeah, Declan, manners.
“You’re absolutely right, Susie. Thank you, Ruby. This smells amazing. It’s been a while since we had a meal like this.”
“What? Cooked?”
Max laughs, and I wink at him.
At least my kid thinks I’m funny.
“One where we sit down and all the food is on the table.”
“Didn’t you go to Wind Valley and see your parents over theholidays?” I immediately regret that I know a small detail like this about him.
It’s hard not to know these little things when he’s become such good friends with my brothers.
“Yeah, but my family, whom I love to death, didn’t grow up with this style of meals. We made a plate and sat at the counter, or made a plate and watched TV.”
“Every night?”
“Most. Both of my parents worked full days while I grew up, so they were tired by the time they came home and cooked dinner. Plus, my dad had to drive to and from Wind Valley each day for his job, so he was always walking in just as my mom and I finished eating.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that. Is that why you stuck to yourself during school?”
He pauses mid-bite.
“These sure are a lot of questions for dinner.”
“Do you not like questions?”
Because if he doesn’t, I have a whole list for him.
I smile. “I’m just making conversation.”
He nods slowly.
We both glance at the kids, who seem to be in their own world as they eat.
“Yeah, it was. They worked hard, and my playing any kind of sport would have been one more thing they needed to plan their days around, so I chose computers. I didn’t have to go anywhere but my room for that.”
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on, tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m not thinking about anything.”
