me to visit, and I felt it was about time I came to see how you were doing out here in the wilderness.” He eyed my shoes.
“Ah, let’s all go to the table. Dinner is ready.” Abigail hastily waved her arms toward the dining room.
I took a gulp of my martini on the way to the table and graciously accepted a glass of red wine from Frank.
He leaned into me and whispered, “It’s all good, kid. You got this.”
John arrived late and took the seat next to me. He didn’t miss a beat with his hand on my leg to greet me with a private hello. He eyed the table, picking up the vibe, and glanced at me with a questioning look.
“Hey, John,” Mark smirked, “I would like you to meet Sloane’s father, General Csaba.”
To my surprise, John spoke confidently. “Welcome to Shadows, General.” He didn’t seem to be fazed like the others.
“Agent Black, I’ve heard of your recent mission. Well done, son.”
“Actually, it was Sloane who planted the seed of doubt in the mission for me, so really the praise should go to her.”
My hand froze as I reached for my wine. I was so used to Grant taking all the glory, even when it wasn’t deserved, I wasn’t used to someone putting the limelight on me.
“Well, that’s very nice to hear.” He raised his glass to me.
The conversation slowly picked up, and I glanced at John and mouthed “thank you.” He returned a smile and put his hand over mine. Mark stopped talking and homed in on what he just did. John was normally very private, so this was new.
“Sloane.” My father’s tone changed and caught my attention, and I noticed his eyes on John’s hand too. “Grant has called a few times and is worried about you. I think we can both agree he deserves a phone call.”
“I have spoken to Grant, and we both know where we stand. Thank you, Father.” My tone was not lost on him or the table.
“Very well.”
Abigail and Savannah started to discuss decorating the house for Thanksgiving and what supplies they would need. Mark chimed in a few times with menu suggestions, and Keith made sure cookies were on the list. I appreciated their diversion and swallowed down a few more gulps of my dry red, thanks to June, who just topped up my glass. John removed his hand after a few beats while I glanced out the window and saw Liam and Ethan playing laser tag and wished it was me out there.
“Today’s pain is tomorrow’s strength.” John’s words broke into my thoughts and brought me back mid-conversation. “Those were the words, sir,” he addressed my father, “that you said to me at a time I really needed to hear it.”
I looked from John to my father, who had placed his fork on the table and leaned back in his chair. He studied John’s face intently. I was unsure what this was all about.
“I remember that, son.”
“I always wanted to thank you, but I wasn’t sure how.”
“No need for thanks. That’s what the Army is for, family, one blood.”
Mark, through a mouthful of food, shook his head. “I’m so lost right now.” Laughter followed as dessert was served.
Abigail’s earth-shattering squeal from the kitchen made Mark jump up and slap a hand over his mouth. He looked guilty as hell.
“You didn’t.” John pointed his fork at him.
“It wasn’t meant for her!”
“Marcus!” she shouted.
My father glanced around the table, just as confused as I was.
“It was for Savannah,” Mark appealed. He was red in the face from holding back his laughter.
“You promised that thing would never enter this house,” Savannah hissed.
“It was Mike!” Mark was already in tears of laughter when Savannah turned to face my father.
“Forgive my family, General.” She swatted Mark with her napkin. “We sometimes forget our manners.”
“It’s quite all right, dear, but I must say I’m curious as to just what is going on.”
“It’s a Dusk tradition.” Dell spoke up. “Cole’s daughter got a Furby for a gift one year, and it was supposedly left at Dusk. It speaks whenever its motion sensor is tripped.”
“You can imagine the fun we have.” Mark was still trying to get hold of himself.
My father laughed, and I cringed at the fury little monster in Abby’s hand.
“I’m tossing it out!”
“Over my dead body.” Mark jumped up and chased her into the kitchen while the table all burst into laughter.
“This is what I get for living with a bunch of boys.” Savannah sighed