Page 163 of Champagne Nights

“Bye, darling.”

I turned to my laptop and began working. The day went by rather quickly. I stopped by Kenny’s office before leaving to say goodbye and to have a happy Thanksgiving, for I would work from home tomorrow.

“Hey,I didn’t know you were coming over today,” Keaton said as he kissed my cheek.

“Mom didn’t tell you I was coming for dinner?”

“No.”

“Surprise.” I smiled.

The aroma of chicken filled the kitchen, and I was starving.

“Are you eating with us?” I asked him.

“I will now that you’re here.”

“Hi, darling.” My mom smiled when she walked into the kitchen. “Dinner will be ready in five minutes. Keaton, take the salad to the table. Paisley, why don’t you go to the wine cellar and pick a bottle of wine? Your father will be home in a few minutes.”

I brought the wine up and set it on the table. I kissed my dad hello and then took my seat at the table.

“So tell me more about Ben’s sister,” my mom spoke as she passed around the chicken.

“Ben has a sister?” Keaton interrupted.

“Yep. She’s seventeen, and she lives in Texas with her mom. Ben’s mom and dad had separated years ago for a while, and his dad went to Texas on a fishing trip and had a one-night stand.”

“Oh dear,” my mom said with a twisted face.

“Sounds like my kind of trip minus the fishing and the kid.” Keaton smiled.

I threw a roll at him. He chuckled.

“Anyway, her name is Leah, and she’ll be staying with Ben for a couple of weeks while her mom trains for a new job in Arizona. She’s deaf.”

“Who? The mom or sister?” Keaton asked.

“Leah, Ben’s sister. Ben studied sign language so he could communicate with her. His dad, not so much, I guess. From what Ben has told me, they aren’t close.”

“Well, I’m happy to have both of them here for Thanksgiving, and we’ll make it one they’ll never forget.”

Oh boy. A sick feeling suddenly erupted inside me.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ben

After arriving home, I went into the guest room and made sure it was ready for Leah. I put fresh sheets on the bed and dusted the furniture. I didn’t call my mom or dad to tell them she was coming to town. She wouldn’t be here until Thursday, and they’d be in Santa Barbara anyway, so I’d tell them on Friday. I pulled out my phone and called my brother.

“Hey, Ben. What’s up?”

“I have something to tell you, but I don’t want you mentioning it to Mom and Dad yet. I’ll tell them on Friday.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“Leah is coming to stay with me for two weeks. I’m picking her up at the airport Thursday morning, and we’re spending Thanksgiving with Paisley and her family.”

“Wow. Why is Lindsey just dumping her like that?”

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