Kiss Across Chaos (Kiss Across Time #10) - Tracy Cooper-Posey Page 0,2
though she said nothing.
Sydney sat beside her, and the two of them were clearly very close, for they would put their heads together and murmur and laugh.
It was a glorious meal, finished off with their pecan pie and custard—an Aussie custom that Marit insisted everyone try. The custard was oddly delicious with the sharp sweetness of the pie.
Nayara scraped her bowl and diffidently asked if there was more, while Cael smiled and kissed her hand.
“Home life is somewhat fraught at the moment,” Cael explained. “And it’s not often we get to relax like this, back in time.”
“Amen to that,” Brody murmured. “The hazards never end.”
Veris stood and served Nayara another slice of pie, and Jesse passed the jug of custard along.
The doorbell chimed from the big front room and everyone paused, looking at each other.
Taylor got to her feet. “It’s not Thanksgiving in Canada,” she reminded them. “It’s a normal Thursday here.” She went into the front room.
Veris smiled. “We actually forgot about the Canadian Thanksgiving,” he admitted as he passed the pie down the table. “It’s in early October, but Canmore just got noisier, not quieter, like the States does for Thanksgiving.”
“Someone’s coming,” Sydney said, her head tilted as she listened to something happening in the front room. She sat up and glanced at the children. “Remember the Game, hmmm? Just for the next little while.”
They all nodded solemnly.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Aimee added. She was nearly as old as Liberty and was already beautiful.
“Aunt Sydney for now,” Sydney corrected.
Aimee nodded.
“Mom,” Liberty added and grinned. “With holes in her jeans and no bra.”
Rafe snorted. “Oh, you’ll pay for that later, darling daughter.”
“She will,” Sydney said, her tone serene.
Liberty didn’t look worried.
Alannah nudged Jesse’s arm, while holding one of the last bottles of wine over her glass.
“Not right now, thanks,” Jesse told her. “Why aren’t you comatose? You’ve drunk a whole bottle all by yourself.”
“Practice,” Alannah said, and winked.
“Also called college,” Brody said, from Jesse’s other side.
“Everyone, it’s Kit,” Taylor said from the door.
Jesse turned in her chair to look toward the archway into the front room. Kit McDonald, the park warden who lived in Canmore, stood in the archway, towering over Taylor. He wore the heavy coat the wardens used in winter and held the brimmed hat and his gloves in one hand. Snow dusted his boots. “Sorry to disturb you folks,” he said easily. “I forgot you use the American calendar.” His gaze lingered upon Alannah, who was carefully pouring the remains of the bottle into her glass. “Everyone came up for Thanksgiving, then?”
“Everyone but Aran,” Taylor said.
“He’s too busy buying and spending political favors,” Alannah added. She rested her arm on the back of her chair as she swiveled to take in the two standing in the archway.
“Something up, Kit?” Veris asked, getting to his feet once more.
Kit hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I have a whole salmon in the truck that I thought you folks might like.”
“Fresh salmon?” Marit said, her attention caught.
“Should be,” Kit told her gravely. “I pulled it out of the Clearwater this morning.”
“You don’t want it, Kit?” Taylor asked.
“I caught two. I’m salting the smaller one, but I haven’t got room for the big one and you’ve got lots of people around your fire, so…”
“Oh, I would love some salmon steaks,” Marit said. “They’re so expensive back home.”
Veris glanced at her and Jesse knew Marit’s use of the word “home” to describe Australia had prodded him. Then he smiled at Kit. “I guess that’s a yes, thank you. I’ll come out and get it.”
“No need,” Kit said. “Stay and finish your meal. I’ll put it on the verandah. It’s cold enough outside it can sit for a while.” He tapped the hat and gloves against his thigh. “Well…I’ll get going.” He nodded at everyone once more, his glossy black hair gleaming in the light from the antique-style light over the table. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
Taylor took him back out to the front room, and Veris sat once more, while everyone listened to the murmur of the voices at the front door. The vampires at the table would be able to hear the conversation far more clearly.
“He stops by a lot, then?” Alex asked Veris, his brow lifting.
“Often enough,” Brody said. “He built a log house on the other side of the valley and likes to talk house-building with Veris.” He frowned. “Canadians are usually more aware of American holidays…” He met Veris’ gaze.