I pull away from the kiss but keep her face in between mine.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispers.
Then why the fuck did you leave? screams in my head, but I don’t get a chance to ask it out loud.
“Mark?” a familiar feminine voice calls from somewhere in the distance.
Jackie is the first to turn toward the woman. Reluctantly, I do the same, dropping my hands from her face to the arms of my chair.
Resha smiles as she moves closer. “What are you doing way out here?” she questions, peering down at me.
Jackie doesn’t say anything, but she shifts her weight as if moving to stand. Wrapping an arm around her, I keep her right where she is. She peers down at me, but I’m looking at my sister-in-law.
“What are you doing out here?”
“Connor wanted to bring the baby out to the light show.” Resha turns her head toward Jackie, her smile widening. “Hello. I’m Resha.” She sticks out her hand.
Jackie’s arm extends, but I see her hesitation. “Resha, oh, his—”
“Sister-in-law or sis, as he calls me.”
“Where’s the big guy?”
Resha looks around. “He took Colin to the bathroom to change him. There they are.” She points over to the right, toward the restrooms.
I laugh heartily at the sight of my big ass brother heading toward us with Colin strapped to his chest.
“Fucking Mr. Mom,” I joke.
Connor approaches the three of us frowning. His frown deepens once he sees Jackie still sitting on my lap. Again, she attempts to stand, but I keep her secured to me.
“Big guy, this is Jackie,” I introduce.
“Nice to finally meet you,” Jackie says, shaking his hand. “Your brother talks about you all the time.”
“Not that much,” I interject. “Mostly about how much of a pain in the ass you are.”
Connor grunts. “Funny, he’s never mentioned you.” His gaze volleys between Jackie and me.
“Connor, don’t be rude,” Resha chastises. “Sorry about that. You’d think it’s past his bedtime instead of the baby’s.”
“He’s adorable.” Jackie beams as she peers at a sleepy-eyed Colin.
Though he’s still awake, the way his head leans against my brother’s chest and his eyes keep drooping, you can tell it’s only a matter of minutes before he’s out cold.
“Thank you. He takes after me,” I respond.
Jackie taps my shoulder, rolling her eyes, and Resha laughs.
“I told Connor the baby wouldn’t last too long out here, but he insisted we bring him out tonight before the crowds start to gather this weekend.”
“That’s so sweet,” Jackie says wistfully, staring at Colin.
“Are you the same Jackie that’s been working with Mark on this secret project at Townsend?” Resha questions with a smile directed at Jackie.
I sense Jackie’s body tighten and I narrow my gaze at my big mouth ass brother.
“What? You know everything you tell me she’s going to find out. It’s her legs I’m trying to get in between at night. Not yours, little brother.”
“Oh my God,” Resha exclaims while Jackie inhales a sharp breath.
Shameless as he is, my brother just shrugs and wraps his long arm around Resha. “So, are you?” he asks as if expecting an answer from the woman on my lap.
Save for the holiday music playing around us and the children and families roaming about, enjoying the show, there’s silence between us four adults.
A beat later, Jackie finally answers with, “Yes, I guess I am.”
“Good. Well, it sounds like everything’s going well.” Resha looks between the two of us. “Hey, Jackie, do you have any plans for Thanksgiving?”
“What?” she asks as I stiffen, looking at my sister-in-law. She can’t be about to do what I think she is.
“Plans? For Thanksgiving. The way Connor said it, it sounded like you’re new in town.”
“That’s how Mark made it seem.”
“I did not.”
“Uh, I’m not new to Williamsport but have been gone for a long time.”
“Oh, in that case, you probably have plans with your family or something?”
Why the hell is Resha prying? More importantly, why am I not stopping her?
“Sort of. Just me and my mom. Though she doesn’t eat much, so it’ll mostly be me in front of the television.”
“That’s no way to spend a holiday. Why don’t you come over to our place?”
“What the hell?” Connor blurts out, peering down at his wife. Colin’s eyes widen as he’s startled out of his stupor. He begins crying.
“See? I told you he’d be cranky.” Resha sucks her teeth at Connor. “Take him over there and bounce him to sleep.” She pushes Connor away from us, and to my amazement, he glares at her, but he does as she says.
“Sorry about that. Connor doesn’t like new people in his space, but he’ll get over it. Here’s our address,” Resha quickly adds, pulling out a paper and pen from her purse. “Dinner starts at five, but people will be showing up around three or maybe even earlier. Feel free to come whenever. Or arrive with Mark.” She looks at me, her smile beaming.
“My mom?”
“Bring her, too. The more the merrier, right, bro?” she asks me.
“If you say so.”
“See? See you then. Let me get my guys home. Bye.” Resha leans in, kissing my cheek, and gives Jackie a final smile.
We’re both silent for a long time, watching as my brother and his family head off in the direction of their car, I suppose.
“What was that?” Jackie finally turns to me, asking.
Two things I’m feeling right now—one, I want to murder my sister-in-law, and two, I’ve never before been so grateful for her.
“Looks like we’re spending Thanksgiving together.”
Chapter 11
“This is a bad idea,” I murmur as I stare in the mirror of my bedroom vanity. Yet, I pick up my liquid eyeliner, continuing to beat my face before heading out to Thanksgiving dinner.
I’ve pulled my hair up into a high bun because I remember once when we were dating before Mark said he liked the way my updos showed off the elongation of my neck. Cheesy, but whatever.
It takes me another fifteen minutes or so to finish my makeup, topping it with a rose pink blush. Once I finish with that, I remove the T-shirt I laid over the brown, cowl neck sweater I decided to wear with my black skinny jeans and ankle boots, which are downstairs by the door. Even as an adult and my father gone, I still follow the rule of not wearing any shoes in the house.
“Mama,” I call once dressed to check in and see if she’s almost ready to leave.
Two nights ago, when Resha first brought up the suggestion of me attending their family Thanksgiving, I was firmly against it. But by the time he’d driven me back to my car at Townsend Industries, Mark convinced me to at least stop by for a few minutes.
In the days since then, we spoke on the phone two different times. Each conversation ended with me extending the amount of time I’d spend over his brother’s for Thanksgiving. By this morning, when he called, I told him that I’d be there by four o’clock, and though he encouraged me to show up at three, I held firm.
So now, instead of showing up for dessert, making my hellos, and then quickly leaving, I’d be spending the entire meal with Mark’s family. It isn’t the smartest thing for me to do, yet I couldn’t say no. I didn’t want to say no.
“Are you ready?” I ask as I enter my mother’s bedroom, but I don’t need her to answer. My shoulders sag as I push through her door, seeing her still sitting on the side of the bed, dressed in her pajamas.
“You look nice, baby. Are you going somewhere?”
Sighing, I push down my anger. She can’t help herself. My mother’s grief has turned into evident depression. I’ll have to see about making her an appointment with her doctor soon. If I can’t convince her to see someone to talk to, maybe her t
rusted physician can.
“Yeah, Mama. We’re going to dinner at my friends’ house, remember? It’s Thanksgiving.”
“Oh, have fun.”
“Mama, we’re going. Come on, let me help you get dressed.”
Thankfully, she doesn’t put up much of a fuss, and I dress her in a light grey sweater and black slacks that look flattering on her. I take my time, parting and curling her permed hair, and though her grey is growing out at the roots, it gives her a sophisticated appearance.
“You look beautiful,” I say, turning her so she can see herself in the full-length mirror.
She gives me a tight smile before waving me off. “Hush.”
I laugh and squeeze her shoulders. “I can do your makeup if you want?”
“No, I don’t want you making a big deal over me.”
“But you are a big deal. You’re my mom.”
She leans her head to the side, her eyes watering. I move closer to hug her, but she steps back, holding her arms up. “What time are we supposed to be there? We’re going to be late.”
Glancing at the clock on her nightstand, I see that she’s right. We need to leave now if we’re going to make it over to Resha and Connor’s by four.
“I’m bringing the string beans and cornbread stuffing that came with the Thanksgiving meal I picked up from the market. Can’t show up on someone’s door empty-handed.”
When I asked Mark what I should bring, he told me Resha said she had it all covered, but I would never dream of showing up without something to offer the hostess.
“That smells good,” my mother says, looking down at the food, and for the first time, I think this might be a good thing, getting her out of the house.
“Maybe I should bring the peach cobbler I ordered, too. What do you think?”
She nods, so I grab the peach cobbler and load it onto the tray that I have the other two dishes on. “All right, let’s go.”
“Who is this friend again?” my mother asks as we get in the car.
“His name is Mark. I know him from work,” I answer, obviously not giving her the backstory.
“Mark,” she says with a wrinkle in her brow.
My chest tightens with panic as I think back to all those years ago, wondering if I ever told her about Mark. I didn’t, learning from a young age that though I loved my mother and she loved me, I couldn’t confide in her. Anything I told her always ended up getting back to my father. Thus, I kept my relationship with Mark a secret from her and my father. That is, until the night of his accident. Even still, I doubt that my father ever told my mother about Mark.
Instead, he made up some lame excuse for why I needed to be sent away to boarding school, and my mother went along with it.
“He works for Cypress?”
I shake my head as I pull out of the driveway. “No, he works at Townsend Industries. Cypress and Townsend are working on something together.”
“That’s right, that’s right.” She nods, recalling our previous conversations about my work. “He must be nice to invite us over for Thanksgiving.”
“It was more his sister-in-law that invited us.” I still didn’t know what prompted the woman I just met to invite my mother and me over to her family’s home for dinner on a major holiday.
When I asked Mark about it, he shrugged and said, “Resha loves feeding people.”
Then he proceeded to make a joke about how I couldn’t cook, so I might as well take her up on the invite. Recalling his teasing, I smile, but turn to look at my mom as we come to a red light.
She’s eyeing me with a funny expression on her face.
“You okay?”
She nods. “I’m fine, baby.”
I’m not sure I believe her, but I don’t push the issue. I’m just happy she’s out of the house and didn’t insist on remaining at home while I go out.
“Tonight’ll be fun, Mama. Just watch,” I say in an encouraging voice.
She nods before staring out the window.
I try to convince myself of my own words.
I hear another car’s engine and roll over to Connor and Resha’s living room window to peer outside. My frown deepens when I notice the black vehicle parked out front.
Jackie’s car is silver.
Impatiently, I watch as Damon, one of Connor’s close friends from the Underground, climbs out of his car before opening the passenger side doors for his wife and stepdaughter.
“You gonna get the door or just stare at ’em the whole time?”
Rolling my eyes, I push away from the window and toss a middle finger over my shoulder at Connor before moving to the entryway to open the door.
“Mark,” Damon greets, giving me a handshake. “You remember Sandra and my daughter, Monique.”
Despite my impatient mood, I find myself smiling at the little girl with big, brown eyes.
“I do. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Mark,” she says before leaning in and hugging me.
I make room for them to enter. “Come in.”
“There he is,” Damon says, and I know that’s his custom greeting for Connor.
I let their banter fall to the recesses of my mind as I peer out the doorway just in time to spot Jackie’s silver sedan pulling up in front of the house. I meet her and her mother at the foot of the walking path that leads to the door.
“You made it.” Right now is when I realize that I was carrying a slight fear that she wouldn’t show up.
“Mark, hi. Sorry, we’re running a little late.”
I wave her off.
“This is my mother, Marietta Hinkerson.”
“Mrs. Hinkerson, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She gives me a small smile and a wave. This is the first time I’ve seen Jackie’s mother in person, and I wouldn’t need the introduction to know precisely who she is. Jackie is the spitting image of her mother.
“Thank you,” Mrs. Hinkerson says.
“What’s all this?” I give a pointed look at the tray of plates in Jackie’s arms.
“I couldn’t come empty handed.”
Shaking my head, I take the tray from her and place it on my lap.
“Do you need some help?” she asks as I move back to turn my chair around and head to the door.
“Nope, got it. You two go in before me.” I pause and wait for them to enter the house before going inside and shutting the door.
I quickly introduce Jackie and her mother to Connor, Damon, and the rest of those who’re still in the foyer before taking Jackie down the hall to the kitchen.
“I’m not sure I brought enough. I didn’t realize there’d be so many people,” Jackie says, sounding worried behind me.
“Please, Resha’s been cooking for two days straight. And so far, everyone who’s showed up has brought something to share. There’s plenty of food. You didn’t need to bring anything.”
“Tuh, and have your entire family talk about me as the girl who showed up, ate, but didn’t contribute anything? I don’t think so.”
I chuckle. “They sure as hell would have talked about you, too.”
“And you would let them?” she asks, sounding offended.
“Let them? Hell, I would’ve been the ringleader.”
I laugh louder as she pushes the back of my shoulder. “Hey, sis, got some more food for you,” I declare as we enter the kitchen.
Resha turns to me, her shoulders sagging. “Who brought more foo— Oh, Jackie. You made it.” Her eyes dip to the tray I’m lifting onto the kitchen isle. “I guess I can’t fault you for bringing something, but Mark should’ve told you, you didn’t have to.”
“Excuse you, I did. She’s just stubborn and hardheaded.”
“Anyway,” Jackie says as she mushes me lightly in the head, “I hope you enjoy it. Don’t worry, though, I didn’t make it. I’m a terrible cook. I wouldn’t put anyone through eating my food on Thanksgiving.”
Resha laughs. “Well, thank you. I think most everyone’s her
e.”
“Destiny and Tyler haven’t come yet. Buddy, Brick, Damon, and his family and everyone else is in the living room.”
Resha shakes her head. “Destiny, Tyler, and Aunt Donna are over at Townsend Manor for the big family dinner. They’ll be over later with the kids.”
“Cool, I’ll show Jackie where to put this on the table.”
“Thanks,” Resha says as she turns back to the counter, stirring one of the many pots bubbling away on the stove.
“It’s beautiful in here,” Jackie comments as we step into the spacious dining area.
“Yeah, it’s not usually this fancy, but Resha went all out with the Thanksgiving decorations. Baby’s first major holiday.”
Jackie’s smile widens. “That’s so sweet.” That wistful tone is back in her voice.
“We’ll set these here.” I lift one of the plates of food covered in foil to the center of the table.
“Let me help.” Jackie moves around the table, putting them in the middle with the other dishes and uncovering them. She turns toward the living room.
Glancing over, I see she’s staring at her mother.
“She’ll be all right in there. Those guys don’t bite.” She smiles, but I see the worried look in her eyes.
“She’s still so sad over my father’s passing.” She sighs.
“Hey.” I reach over and squeeze her knee. “Grief takes time.”
She nods, but the worried expression remains.
“Your brother has a beautiful home.” Forcing a smile on her face, she turns back to me. We’re still in the dining area, just the two of us.
“Yeah, I helped him pick it out. He couldn’t do much without me.”
“Oh, he bought this before he and Resha married?”
I shook my head. “He picked it out specifically for them, but surprised her with it on their wedding night.”
“Wow. That’s a huge thing to do on his own. What if she didn’t like it?”
I shrug. “I would’ve moved in myself while they searched for another one.”
“Really?”
I chuckle. “No. Connor had a contingency plan. Luckily, Resha adored it, and it’s close to her family as well.”
Jackie nods. “That’s nice. Being close with family is good … if you get along.”
A Holiday Temptation: A Holiday Novella Page 9