Page 84 of Stolen Kisses
She landed a quick kiss on his mouth, a tiny thrill moving through her. Maybe she’d be getting lucky tonight even without her lucky fishing hook.
—
Noah was used to feeling comfortable wherever he was. He’d been to the Nelson house many times before and he was usually right at home. Today, however, he was getting nervous looks from Krista’s mom and steely ones from her dad. Krista’s aunts and uncles seemed more curious about him, as if they were weighing whether or not he’d fit into their crew if it came to it.
“You okay?” Krista leaned in beside him at the dinner table.
Bowls and dishes were in the process of being passed around. “Oh, yeah. Sure. Right at home,” he lied. Because his home, the one he’d grown up in, was a house full of males. They laughed heartily, didn’t ask to be excused if they needed to go to the restroom at dinner, and they didn’t take small servings when they passed the dishes. Grace was in the Sawyer clan now, but Noah was used to her. He wasn’t used to this. Everyone in Krista’s family was dressed nice and the table was dressed even nicer.
Krista’s cousin Samantha passed a bowl of mashed sweet potatoes to him. He took a small spoonful and handed it to Krista. She gave him a funny look as if to ponder why he was acting so strangely. He wasn’t sure. He was out of his element here, though.
When everyone’s plate was full, Krista’s father said the blessing and they dug in.
“So, Noah,” Mr. Nelson began, “how’s the season treating you?”
Noah looked up, relieved by the topic. Fishing talk was his element. Krista’s father was a fisherman, too, although he’d retired from the career in his early fifties.
“Good, sir. Joey and I might make it a record year.”
Joey nodded, shoveling large spoonfuls of beans into his mouth. He was the only Nelson in the group that knew how to eat a good meal. “Might even catch Mitsy.” Joey grinned, chewing and talking at the same time, which was a stark contrast to the others.
“Mitsy?” Mr. Nelson asked, raising a bushy brow. His eyes were still steely toward Noah, which Noah guessed was due to the fact that he was dating the man’s only daughter. Noah didn’t blame him. Krista deserved someone who would treat her well. Noah was trying his damnedest to be that guy.
“It’s the name he gave a tuna that keeps breaking his line,” Joey said on a laugh.
It sounded rather silly sitting around with a bunch of Krista’s relatives. They stared at him, unamused.
“Noah says Mitsy has a heart-shaped scar on her fin,” Joey added, not helping the situation.
“She does.” Noah felt like he was sitting over a fire. He pulled at the neck of his sweater. He didn’t like sweaters, they were itchy, but he’d worn one today to fit in. And it wasn’t working.
Krista’s hand reached below the table and squeezed his thigh.
He took a deep breath. “It’s just a fish, but if she ever bites my line again, I’m taking her in. Even if I have to jump in and wrestle her with my bare hands.”
To his relief, Mr. Nelson chuckled. “I’ve done that before. Unintentionally. The fish pulled me overboard and gave me a little ride before I let go of my pole.”
Everyone at the table laughed lightly. Then the conversation moved off of Noah. Relieved, he reached down and joined hands with Krista. After dinner and then dessert, Noah sat in the living room with the other men while the women retreated to the kitchen under the pretense of cleaning.
“So, Noah,” Mr. Nelson began, “you’re dating my daughter now.” Krista’s two uncles and three grown cousins all tuned in to the proceeding interrogation. Joey was plopped back in the recliner with his eyes closed. Noah would’ve thought he was pretending to sleep if not for the steady snore coming from his mouth and nose.
“Yes, sir. We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks.”
“Why’d it take you so long to ask her out?” Mr. Nelson asked.
Noah shrugged. “The timing wasn’t right until now, I guess.”
Those steely eyes of Krista’s father stayed on him. “I always counted on you to keep Krista from dating the kind of guys who’d use her and leave her heartbroken. You and Joey. Now I have to worry about whether you’ll do that.”
Noah broke free of the man’s gaze and looked around the room. This was some form of torture somewhere. He was sure of it. “I’ll try not to, sir.”
“There is no ‘try,’ son. Are your intentions toward my daughter honorable or not?”
Joey opened his eyes. “Dad, I’ve already had this conversation with Noah. Let him be.”
Mr. Nelson looked over. “Thought you were sleeping.”
“Multitasking. Krista can take care of herself,” Joey continued.
