Page 50 of Redemption
When we arrived at the dining room, everyone was in their seats. Ma stood at the end of the table looking miffed orworked upmight be a better word for her expression. We rushed over and took the two free seats. I expected to get a glare from her but she wasn’t looking at us.
She turned her head to look at Jarret as he was the very last to arrive. Raising a brow at him, she asked, “You not hungry?”
He paused as he realized all eyes in the room were on him. Then he moved his gaze to her and opened his mouth to speak.
Raising her hand to stop him short, Ma said, “You've been gone many years, Jarret Walker, but Iknowyou didnotforget your southern manners. Do you know what work it takes for us females here to put out a 24 person, full course, with all the fixin’s meal? Not to mention the 40 men out at the barns. Then you don't even show up on time for it?”
Jarret folded his hands together in front of him and bowed his head a bit as he let out a sigh and replied, “I’m sorry, Bea.”
The room was…drop a pin and hear itsilent.
Redemption and his brothers all nearly gaped at their father’s heartfelt apology.
I stifled my smile as I lowered my head to hide my amusement. Apparently, they had never seen the man chastised before. No one ever had the guts to do that I suppose.
Bea gave him a nod and motioned for him to sit next to her.
He came around and sat down. Then he took her hand and kissed it. “You are still one helluva woman.”
Ma fluttered her eyelashes and let out a chuckle as she yanked her hand back. “You are still too full of charm for your own good. And since you were late, you know what that means.”
He nodded. “I say grace.”
She folded her hands together and said, “Well, get to recitin.’ It won’t say itself, ya know?”
He chuckled and folded his hand as he closed his eyes.
I took another look around at Redemption’s brothers. And wow, they all looked like they’d seen a pink unicorn in the room. The unicorn being their father, Jarret. I peeked over at Redemption and he wore the same gobsmacked expression. I closed my eyes and smiled. Apparently, Bea and Jarret shared a past that none of these men knew about.
“Dear Lord…” Jarret’s voice was strong and loud in the large room. “Bless this meal and watch over the Walker family. Please keep our Glory safe. Help us to get through all of this. Protect us from evil as we shall abide by your ways. Amen.”
I kept my head lowered as I mentally said my own prayer.Please protect this poor girl Glory and get her back to her family. Thank you for giving me this chance at having a decent life. I promise not to let you down. Keep Redemption safe from harm when he goes to this dangerous exchange. Amen.I looked up and saw Redemption staring at me.
He took my hand in his and gave me a wink.
I ducked my head a little and asked, “What?”
“You were saying your own prayer?”
I nodded. “I have my life to be thankful for and I prayed for Glory.” I squeezed his hand. “You will get her back safe, Redemption.”
He raised a brow at me. “I’d better. If we lose her—”
I covered his hand with mine. “Don’t even allow thoughts like that in. You hear me?”
He slowly nodded his head. “Let’s eat or Ma might dress us down.”
I giggled. “You all looked really shocked by…Your dad and her.”
He nodded. “One day, he will have to tell us why.”
“Why what?” I asked.
“Why would he leave here and never speak of it? Why didn’t we know we had this whole family all along?”
“Maybe…” I paused and grabbed my fork up. “He had a very good reason. Maybe it was personal?”
“Oh, yeah?” Redemption argued. “Well, when you hide a whole family from your own children, it isn’t personal just for him, is it?”
