Page 45 of Family Forever
Grabbing hold of the towel around his waist, he secured it as he leaped off the bed, but teetered for a moment before getting his bearings. Dylan's overstressed brain never rested, and he probably needed more rest than that of the past couple hours he just got.
“Everything is ready. There’s nothing for you to do but get dressed and call your brothers to dinner. And then later we’ll go to church.”
He eyed her as if he didn’t believe her. The poor guy was spread so thin he didn’t appear to know which end was up at this very moment. She stepped toward him, reached up and placed her hand on his flushed cheek. “Dylan, we’re all set. Dinner is ready, church isn’t until seven o’clock, and the boys have practiced their lines a gazillion times. You’ve bought all the presents and they’re wrapped and ready to go. There’s nothing more you need to do except show up.”
His gaze darkened as it held hers. “Thank you, Marissa. You have no idea…”
Nate shot into the room. “I’m starving, is it ready?”
Marissa nearly tripped on her feet backing away from Dylan. He stepped back as well.Nate, Nate, Nate, you have the poorest timing. What was Dylan about to tell her?
Nate’s gaze raked over his brother. “Seriously, get dressed, we’re starving out here.”
Dylan cleared his throat. “I’ll be right out.”
Marissa and Nate exited the room and entered the kitchen where the troops had already assembled.
Cole was dishing the food onto serving trays and placing them on the table, and the rest of the boys were already seated. Cole took his seat and Marissa sat as well.
Dylan stepped into the room and took his seat at the head of the table. His gaze zoned in on her and he smiled that handsome smile she loved to see. “The table looks lovely, and dinner smells wonderful.”
His focus shifted to Nate. “Since you’re in such a hurry to eat you can lead the blessing.”
The ‘amen’ was hardly out of their mouths when platters started nearly flying around the table at warp speed.
Marissa refilled the ham platter, then the mashed potato bowl, then more biscuits. Though she’d been around the Jacobs family for long enough to know how much they ate it still amazed her. But she was on to them now, they would not out-eat what she had prepared for them today. A few minutes after dinner they tore into the desserts. She had learned over the course of time that Dylan favored cherry pie so she made sure to bake two of those, along with a pecan pie. They devoured the pies, making her feel as though she’d hit a home run.
She stood to clear the table but Dylan insisted she not partake in the cleanup, arguing the fact that since she prepared the meal she shouldn’t have to clean, forgetting the fact that he, Cole and Aric had spent a better part of the day working as well. It was of no use to argue with him. “Fine then, I guess I’ll just shower and get ready for church while my handsome bunch cleans the kitchen.” Braden’s wide smile let her know he took her compliment personally. She knew he still had a crush on her. At the rate Dylan was moving she’d probably be better off waiting for Braden to come of age.
The aroma of Dylan’s aftershave met her in the doorway of the master bathroom. Oh, how she loved sharing his bathroom, though she’d rather be sharing his bed, but she’d take what she could get for now.
She climbed into the shower, pulled his Irish Spring bar soap from the rail, and held it to her nose, then she rubbed her fingers over the entire bar, thinking about how the surface had last touched Dylan’s enticing skin. Rather than use her lavender soap, she ran the Irish Spring bar over the entire length of her body foolishly hoping Dylan’s scent would seep into her skin, as if that would be enough to mark her as his territory.
After showering, Marissa slipped into a pair of black dress pants and shoes, and a plain red turtleneck sweater, choosing it for its color. They guys were just finishing in the kitchen when she stepped through the doorway. Dylan sent them off to change for church, and he slipped away to do the same. He returned a moment later wearing black dress slacks and a long-sleeved red and black plaid button down shirt with a red mock turtleneck underneath. She always thought he looked sexy as all get-out no matter what he wore, Carhartt bibs included, but what he did for that red and black plaid shirt was deliciously insane.
When they were all dressed and ready, Cole herded them into the living room where he had set up his camera to take some shots of themselves in front of the Christmas tree. Joy filled her heart as she stood there with them, with her family.
Cole and Aric loaded into Cole’s car as Marissa and the rest of the clan loaded into Dylan’s truck, and off to church they went.
More parishioners filled the church than Marissa had ever remembered seeing before. She hoped they could find a spot where they could all sit together, with the exception of Nate and Luke who would be sitting near the front with the other Sunday school children who would be performing during the service.
Dylan released Luke’s hand and instructed Nate to get him to his classroom. Nate motioned for his little brother to follow him but Luke didn’t budge. Instead, his big, brown, fear-filled eyes stared up at Dylan, pleading for him not to make him go with his brother.
Dylan crouched down. “What’s the matter, buddy?”
“I wanna sit by you.”
“Don’t you want to sit with your friends and sing with them tonight?”
Luke shook his head.
“Why not?”
The little boy’s eyes swam with tears, and his lip quivered. “I’m scared.”
Dylan’s already soft gaze melted even more. He squeezed his brother’s shoulder reassuringly. “There’s no reason to be afraid, you’ve been practicing all week and you know all the words. You got this, buddy. You’re going to be great. Okay?”
Luke’s nod came slow. He shifted his gaze from Dylan to her.
