Stud Muffin (Donner Bakery #2) - Jiffy Kate Page 0,27
grass surrounding it where some have staked their claim for the afternoon. As I walk closer, I can hear the reverend greeting everyone and asking them to bow their heads in prayer.
Stopping just short of the crowd, I do as he asks and listen to him thank the Lord for good health and the rain we got last week, and asking Him to bless the food we're about to eat.
"Amen."
“Nice to see you still remember how to pray.” I hear the easy voice of my father in my right ear, a little mirth behind his words.
“Stop it, Daddy,” I say, swatting blindly behind me and making contact with his arm.
“Don’t make me have to get the sheriff after you for assaulting an old man,” he jokes, but then pauses for a second as we both take in the crowd of familiar faces. “It really is good to see you, Tempest. And you sure do look pretty in that dress. You’re gonna make your mama one happy lady today.”
I glance beside me to see his mustache twitch as he smiles underneath it.
“Well, it’s far too nice of a day to be cooped up inside,” I tell him, smoothing my dress down in the front.
“Uh, huh. I hear you also had some smoothing over to do with Anna, who looks like she’s coming this way,” he says, turning my shoulders to see the reason I’m here making a beeline for us. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I hear some fried chicken calling my name.”
“Chicken shit,” I whisper, just before he gets out of earshot.
“What was that?” Anna asks, saddling up beside me and winding her arm through mine.
“Uh, I was just saying that chicken smells good!”
“Well, good, because I fried up plenty! Cole found us a nice shady spot over by the tree. Let’s hurry, before he eats it all!”
We say hello to people as we make our way through the tent and over to the large oak. I don’t miss the side-eyes and whispers directed my way. Thankfully, I remembered my big girl panties, so I just smile and nod, not letting them get to me.
Anna wasn’t lying when she said she made plenty. Cole already has three chicken legs on his plate eaten clean down to the bone by the time we walk up.
“Tempest,” he greets, wiping his hands on a pretty, paisley napkin, before standing up to hug me. “Fancy meeting you here.” When he pulls back, he winks and I smile.
Anna and I fix our plates, making ourselves comfortable on the blanket. The fried chicken is heaven. I could’ve used a few pieces of this last weekend when I had my hangover. Anything fried is great hangover food. Fortunately, I’ve managed to stay sober this past week. No trips to the bar or even to the liquor cabinet at my house.
My first anger management session was this past Tuesday, and as much as I didn’t want to go… and I really hate to admit it… I think it helped. It was awkward, at first, and I felt completely out of place, but the longer I sat and listened, the more I started identifying with the people around me and realizing they were all there for the same reason—to get help, to figure out a better way to express themselves and find a solution to their impulsive behaviors.
Impulse control was on the agenda for this week’s session and I felt it down to my toes. Control over my impulses has definitely been missing from my life lately and the session came with good timing. I’m sure, at some point today, I’m going to have to put a few of the coping strategies to use.
Be mindful of the impulse.
Be aware of your feelings.
Recognize the negative behavior, but channel it into something positive.
I haven’t seen Asher and Mindy yet, but I’m sure they’re here somewhere. They don’t seem to pass up an opportunity to pretend like they’re Green Valley’s Couple of the Year.
After we eat, the three of us fall into comfortable conversation, reminiscing about old times and talking about the future, like we typically do when we’re together. The newest topic of conversation is the baby. I can’t wait to become an aunt. Cole may be my cousin, but he’s like a brother to me, and I fully intend on spoiling their baby as if it were my own.
Anna looks at me with sad eyes from time to time. She knows about me and Asher trying for a baby, and