Page 36 of Surprised By Love

“Sure, no problem. Amelia will love that.”

I grab my jacket and follow my brother outside, part of me wishing I could call Sam for a playdate instead.

Chapter Fourteen

Josh

Sundaynightdinnerisa tradition in the Prescott household.

Every Sunday since I can remember, we have been sitting at this table, not always in this house, but at this table. Sometimes my gramma and grandpa will join us, but more often it’s my mom, dad, Ethan, Lucas, myself and the kids. Ryan is out of town on an assignment and Savannah is away at school, studying fashion design.

I open the door to the family home and Emily runs in, followed by Jake. “Grammy, Grampy, we’re here,” she yells while taking off for the kitchen.

“Hey, get back here and take off your boots before your gramma catches you trailing snow into her house.”

“Sorry daddy, I forgot,” she says.

“Yeah, we forgot,” Jake mimics.

They sit down at the bench beside the front closet and remove their boots. Hanging their jackets on the wall pegs, they run into the house, searching for my mom.

I remove my own boots and coat before following behind them. The scent of roasted chicken fills the air and my stomach growls.

“Hey, son.” Dad pats me on the back in greeting. “Want a beer?”

“Hey Pop, don’t mind if I do.” Taking the beer in his outstretched hand.

“Come join us in the den. Your brothers are here and dinner’s not quite done yet.”

I follow my dad into the den where Lucas and Ethan are watching football on the big screen. They are arguing over some play. The two of them always argue, especially about sports. I’m surprised Lucas can work for Ethan the way Ethan loves to boss him around. Ethan is the Fire Chief of station 23 here in Sunset Creek. Our town may be small but we have a lot of tourists year round, so we have to have police and fire departments in town.

“Come on, have a seat,” Dad says, sitting in his favourite lazy boy.

I sit in the chair beside him and prop my feet up on the ottoman. We sit in silence, drinking our beer and watching the game. Ethan shouts at the TV when the quarterback fumbles the ball.

“Grammy said dinner is ready to wash up and come eat,” Emily says as she enters the den. She runs over to my dad. He grabs her, nuzzling her neck, causing her to squeal. “How’s my little Angel?”

“I’m good, Grampy. How are you?”

My dad picks her up and sits her on his hip as he walks out the door towards the dining room. “I’m much better now that I got my Angel here.” He sits her in her chair beside him and walks over to Jake, who’s sitting in his booster seat. “How’s my little man?”

“Good,” Jake says, taking a sip of juice from his cup.

“Good to hear.” Dad tousles Jake’s hair and heads to the kitchen.

“So, what’s this I hear about you and a new single mom in town?” Ethan asks, taking his seat beside me.

I glare at Lucas.

“Yes. I would like to know this as well,” Mom says, entering the dining room with a bowl of mashed potatoes, dad following behind with the roast chicken. They place the plates down and everyone helps themselves except for Emily and Jake. I fill Jake’s plate while my mom takes care of Emily’s.

“There’s nothing to know.” I lift a fork full of potatoes to my mouth.

“That’s not what I hear.” Mom leans over and cuts up Emily’s chicken.

Dad looks at me, “So how was your day?” he says, trying to change the subject.

I give him a nod in appreciation. “It was a peaceful day. Nothing exciting.”

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