Page 125 of Inferno
“Notallthe grownups are going to the spa,” Dinah quickly interjected, seeking to pacify her pouting granddaughters. “It’s a couples’ thing,” she added, winking at Prissy.
“Oh?” Evangeline shot another speculative glance toward the living room, where Georgina was now perched on the back of the sectional as she and Sterling laughed and quietly conversed.
After exchanging a look with Prissy that said,I know you know more than you’re lettingon,Evangeline stopped what she was doing and wandered from the kitchen to investigate the matter on her own.
“Everything sure smells good in here,” Theo heartily declared, rubbing his flat abdomen. “Sure can’t wait to sink my teeth into some delicious turkey and trimmings.Hint, hint.”
Prissy laughed. “Oh, be quiet. Folks who don’t help out in the kitchen don’t get to rush the cooks.”
“Especially when one of those cooks is Mama Wolf,” Dinah added. “Besides, it’s barely two o’clock, and we had a late breakfast.”
“That’s right,” Prissy said, “so go sit down somewhere, Thelonious.”
He looked affronted. “Winnie,” he said, addressing his wife, “you gonna just stand there and let them talk to me like this?”
The voluptuous, mahogany-toned beauty laughed and shook her head at her husband. “Considering that your mother and sister are the only other women you ever listen to, I need to keep them as allies. So, yeah, baby, you’re on your own.”
Everyone laughed as Theo pretended to scowl before scooping up his beers and stalking off.
When Dinah, Winnie, Maya and Zora headed out to the living room a few minutes later, Prissy remained behind to keep an eye on the candied yams baking in the oven.
The harmonious cacophony of animated voices and laughter was pure music to her ears. With the fire crackling in the hearth, the men gathered around the blaring television and the younger boys tussling on the floor, the festive scene reminded Prissy of a Norman Rockwell painting come vibrantly to life. Standing there watching everyone, she felt deliriously content, and blessed beyond measure.
Sighing softly to herself, she turned back to the oven to remove Mama Wolf’s candied yams. Lifting the pan to her nose, she inhaled deeply, savoring the hot, mouthwatering aroma of brown sugar and cinnamon that wafted up from the steaming casserole. Clearing space on the crowded countertop, she set down the yams and plucked off the oven mitts she wore.
“Pris.”The deep, smoky rumble of Stan’s voice near her ear skirted along her nerve endings and settled low in her belly. As he stood close behind her, she let her eyes drift closed, enjoying his intoxicating body heat.
“I came to collect on the feast you promised me,” he whispered in her ear.
Prissy smiled demurely. “Dinner will be ready in an hour,” she said, pretending to misunderstand him.
“Nice try, woman, but you know I’m not talking about food.”
Opening her eyes, Prissy tipped her head back to look up at him. “As I recall, we were supposed to lock everyone out of the cabin before we, ah, commenced our feast. Surely you don’t intend to put everyone out onThanksgiving?”
Stan’s mouth twitched. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Good. Because—”
“Come with me, wife,” he growled softly.
Anticipation thrummed through her veins, quickening her pulse.“Right now?”
Stan nodded, already taking her hand and starting from the kitchen.
As they moved past the living room, Georgina glanced up and grinned knowingly. “Now I wonder wherethosetwo are headed.”
Sterling chuckled.“To work on baby number six.”
Prissy blushed self-consciously as the adults laughed while Manning groaned, “Aw, man, not again.”
“We’re only going to talk,” Prissy insisted. “We need to, er, finalize the itinerary for the weekend. Y’all know I’m a planner.”
This was met with dubious laughter and guffaws.
Stan didn’t miss a step, his strides long and purposeful as he led Prissy up the winding staircase and past the loft and the other four bedrooms before they reached the elegantly rustic master suite.
Stan ushered Prissy inside, then closed the door behind them and pinned her against it with the solid weight of his body.
