Page 8 of Back in the Country
“Thanks.”
“Ain’t even a thing.” He waves me off like he didn’t just stop me from committing murder before family dinner.
Otto is good people. He has his own girl haunting him even though he never talks about it. The only reason I know is because I feel the way he looks, and misery loves company. I won’t press, but I hope he knows he can come to me even though I’d probably give shit advice at this point.
“Everyone grab your seats,” Mama bellows over the chaos of the room.
Chairs scrape and bump against the floor as we all pile around the feast—and it is a feast. Trays of chicken potpie, bowls of salad, and grilled vegetables are laid out in front of us.
Marlee is practically vibrating in the seat next to me. I press my leg into hers as I lean over to whisper in her ear.
“Welcome home, baby.”
Her head turns so that if I moved mine just theslightestamount our lips would connect. Neither of us moves. Her breath mingles with mine, and my mind blanks about what’s the right thing to do here.
“Marlee, we’re so happy to have you home,” Mama gushes from the other end of the table. Marlee jumps and squeaks as her knee bumps the underside of the table.
“I’m so happy to be home.” She beams and we all dig in, her knee coming back to rest against mine.
Electricity zips through me from where we’re touching, and I relish this feeling like an addict getting high. Heat seeps into my veins and warms me in much the same way that Mama’s home-cooked meal does.
Dinner is perfect—great food, lots of laughs, and the overwhelming contentment at having Marlee next to me again.
“Can I walk you home?”I whisper in Marlee’s ear as she collects her container of leftovers.
“Sure.” A smile plays on her lips as she participates in the obligatory round of goodbyes. I do too, and my dad holds me for a beat longer than usual when he pulls me into a hug. He’s not a man of many words, but he doesn’t need them—I heard him loud and clear.
Vincent Thayer is a bear of a man next to my mama, and he must have some strong genes because he made five kids that look just like him. Rhea looks the most like Mama, but her blue eyes and dark hair is all Dad.
I smile. He’s a big man with an even bigger heart, and just like Mama, he loves Marlee like she was his own. If things don’t work out between us, there’s a better than even chance he’s taking her side over mine.
I don’t blame him.
Stepping onto the porch, I close the door quietly behind us and then take a full breath of the cool night air.
“I missed the stars so much.” Her voice is full of awe as she looks up at the sky. She’s beautiful like this, cloaked in an innocence that’s so damn appealing.
There’s less light pollution here than in the city, and the inky blackness is dotted with brilliant gems of light. It’s something I’ve taken for granted my entire life, but I’ve also never really ventured outside of Clementine Creek either.
“I missed you.”
She gives me a contemplative look but doesn’t respond as she walks across the yard in front of me.
“Did you get settled today?” I ask, changing the subject.
She shrugs. “For the most part. I’m sure I’ll have to go back to Nashville at some point, but I’ll worry about that later.”
I don’t like that answer, so I try again.
“Was Mama’s dinner everything you hoped it would be?” That gets a wide smile out of her, and she nods.
“She’s thebestcook. I’m absolutely stuffed.”
I chuckle. “I bet you eat the pie before you go to bed.”
“So what if I do?” she demands with a hand on her hip.
I laugh. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with you wanting to enjoy your pie, baby.”
