A Holiday Temptation - Tiffany Patterson Page 0,36
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 here.”
“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.”
“Thankfully, they do.”
She smiles at me, and I don’t miss that sadness in her eyes. The same that’s always called to me.
“You’re not close with your family?”
She shakes her head. “Don’t have much family to speak of, really. Just Mama and I now, which isn’t the worst thing. I have an aunt out on the West Coast, but she prefers traveling with one of her many boyfriends during the holidays. She’s a bit of a free-spirit.”
“And your dad is gone?”
Her body tenses up at the mention of her deceased father. Yet, I don’t get the feeling it’s out of sadness for his passing. Jackie again looks toward the living room for her mother. The move brings to mind a parent checking to see if their child is doing okay.
“He’s giving her a drink.”
I glance over and then take hold of Jackie’s arm, stilling her. “That’s Buddy. It’s fine. He wouldn’t do anything to her. Look, she likes it.” I motion my head toward her mother, who smiles after taking a sip of whatever Buddy just handed her. The football game is on, so it’s impossible to hear what either one says.
Buddy is Connor’s former head