Page 17 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘You alright,son?’
His father’s gruff voice startled Tom and he jerked around to face the man who’d always seen right through all his kids.
‘Yeah, fine. Why wouldn’t I be?’
Hank Chambers’ thick, dark grey eyebrows rose up to the ceiling and he snorted. ‘Maybe because you look as sorry as when I walloped you for eating half the cake your mama made for the church sale.’
Tom hadn’tforgotten because it’d been the last time he cried until Gina died. ‘Cut it out, Pop. I’m good. Any news of Kemp and Watling?’
‘Nope, the trail’s gone cold. We’re keeping an eye on Kemp’s family home but the men could be anywhere by now. Won’t hurt to tell your people to keep watching out though.’
He kept the story of Fee’s missing sandwich to himself because his father would laughthat one out of the hills. They chatted about this and that and caught up on all the family news. Rayna was getting impatient for the arrival of her first baby and both his brothers were expecting new additions in the spring.
‘I guess there’ll be no shortage of Chambers around Pine Ridge for a few more generations,’ Tom joked.
‘No thanks to you,’ Hank teased. ‘You ever goin’ topull your head out your ass, boy? Your mama frets over you somethin’ awful.’
‘Broadcast my private business in front of everyone, why don’t you?’
Hank rolled his eyes. ‘Everyone in here knows us. Most of them are wondering why I don’t give you a swift kick up the—’
‘That’s enough,’ Tom snarled.
‘But we—’
‘I know you love me.’ He glowered. ‘I get it. Nowleave me alone goddammit,’ he shouted and stormed off towards the door. He flung it open and pushed past a woman trying to enter, briefly registering Fee’s shocked face, but not stopping. They could all go to hell.
