are our neighbors and dear friends, Chauncey and Hannah King.”
She recognized Chauncey as the Police Commissioner from having seen his picture in the news. His wife was tall and slim, although dwarfed by her husband who towered over everyone. Both walked toward her, hands extended, and greeted her just as warmly as Sean’s family.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Harper,” Hannah exuded. “We’ve known Sean since he was a toddler. When Sharon called to tell me that you were coming to dinner, I insisted that we come and meet you as well. Our kids will be visiting for Sunday dinner tomorrow, so I’m afraid none of them are here to meet you tonight.”
“Thank fuck,” Sean breathed.
Firing a wide-eyed expression toward him in admonition of his cursing in front of his parents but also glad that there were no more people she was going to have to meet, she turned back to Hannah and smiled.
Sharon clapped her hands and rubbed them together. “Now that everyone’s here, we can eat!”
Hannah, Tara, and Sharon set the platters of food on the long counter, and Sean ushered her to the front of the line. Eyes wide, she whispered, “Sean! I don’t want to go first!”
“Mom’s made it obvious you’re the guest of honor, sweetheart. You best get going, or the hungry mob behind you will become ravenous.”
Refusing to pile too much food on her plate, Harper hurried along the counter before being ushered into the dining room. Soon, the family was ensconced around a massive table in an equally massive room. With so many people around the table all talking at once after the prayer was said, Harper found it difficult to try to keep up with everyone’s conversations. Tara and Erin had their heads bent toward each other, deep in a conversation between the two. Caitlyn was sitting next to Colleen, giggling with her niece. Kyle and Rory were in a discussion with Chauncey, and Sean and his dad were discussing football. She finally gave up trying to listen to the various conversations and allowed Hannah and Sharon to draw her into their own.
“I was fascinated to hear that you work for Eastern Mutual Insurance Company,” Sharon said. “Colm and I have used them for our homeowners and car insurance for years. I always liked working with them but confess that I’m glad I’ve never needed them for anything major. Especially when our children all became adults and got off of our car insurance, that was certainly a lot cheaper!”
Laughing, Harper agreed. “I’m sure!”
“I believe he said you examine fire sites for the company?” Sharon continued, her smile firmly in place while her gaze stared intently at Harper.
Nerves making it difficult to eat, she focused on her reply. “That’s how we met. I’ve been working in fire evidence collection and am almost certified as a fire investigator.”
With the nerve-wracking attention on her, she tried to find a way to deflect. Looking around the table, she said, “Sean has told me how much fun it was growing up with so many brothers and sisters and the King family next door.”
“Do you have any family in the area?” Sharon asked.
“No. I have a much younger brother in the military and my parents live in North Carolina. I came to Hope City for college and never left.”
“I’m sure your parents miss you terribly,” Sharon said. “When my children were in the military, I worried so about them. I know it must seem strange that they all came back to Hope City, but I’m selfishly very glad.”
“Me too!” Hannah chimed in. “I’m sure Sean will have you meet my oldest, Brock, soon. They’ve been best friends since they were little.”
Harper glanced around the table, unable to keep the smile from her face as she saw the heartfelt camaraderie among his friends and family.
“Brock was shot in the line of duty, and his new girlfriend is taking care of him right now.”
Hannah’s words caused Harper’s fork to stop on its path toward her mouth. Shot? He was shot? Certain that she had heard incorrectly, she turned toward Sean.
“It was only a .22,” Kyle said, shrugging as though the news was nothing. “It’s not like it’s the first time he was shot. He’s probably just using it as an excuse to stay in with Kallie.”
“Kyle!” Sharon fussed, and Hannah shook her head at him.
Eyes wide, Harper dropped her fork into her plate, sucking in a quick breath. “Shot?” she repeated, her voice barely a hoarse whisper.