“You can’t just storm into Luke and Amber’s home without knocking, Burns. It’s rude,” Miss Janet reprimands and for good measure, knocks him upside the head.
“Wish I had my camera for that,” I mutter as I get up from the couch and greet the old man and his new wife.
“These boys used to run through my place without knocking or being invited! It’s my turn to return the favor,” Burns quips but Miss Janet ignores him. She gives me a quick peck on the cheek and a nod to Benny before she heads into the kitchen to help Dawn and Amber with the cooking. With Dawn overseeing the Thanksgiving dinner, it will, no doubt, be the most delicious meal imageable.
Linda Amber’s mother and Sarah are at the island enjoying some wine and as far as I can tell, getting tipsy and not helping.
“Grab a beer and come watch the game before you put the women in a tizzy, Burns.” Benny Amber’s father points to a cooler we are using as a second coffee table.
“No beer fridge, but you have a teal couch?”
“I thought about it, but then I would have to clean out the garage and walk to the garage. A cooler is more convenient. Thanks for coming.”
“Of course, I came. Why wouldn’t I? Dawn’s cooking.” Burns gives me a perplexed look. “Where are my other boys?”
“Jax and Clint went to the store for something Dawn needed, they’ll be back soon; and Eric isn’t coming.”
“That’s a shocker. Did he know Sarah was going to be here?” Burns asks, grabbing a beer from the cooler and wiggling his eyebrows toward Sarah.
Benny grabs Burns beer, grumbling something under his breath and twists the cap off. “Here, old man.”
“I could have done it, and who you callin’ old? You’re just as old as I am.”
“I’m a good twenty years younger,” Benny says, slouching back into the seat. “And don’t pester Sarah about Eric. Those two need to figure their shit out on their own, just like Amber and Luke are.”
“Well, don’t treat me like I’m old as dirt,” Burns growls and takes a seat next to Benny. “I’m a newlywed.”
“You are old as dirt!”
“Older than dirt,” I add with a chuckle.
“Watch it, ya jackwagon, or I’ll tell Amber to steer clear of ya.” Burns glares at me.
“You’ll tell me what?” Amber asks as she comes into the living room with the other ladies.
Burns smirks at me. “Your boyfriend is a jackwagon.”
“What else is new?” Amber leans over the couch to kiss Burns’ cheek. “And he isn’t my boyfriend.”
“We aren’t labeling us quite yet.” That gets me an eye roll.
“There’s nothing to label.”
“Only a matter of time,” I murmur as she heads back toward the kitchen and yes, I scan her backside. She has a great ass—and I haven’t been able to keep my hands off it lately. She may not consider me her boyfriend yet, but she’s letting me get a few stolen kisses.
“I’m rooting for you,” Sarah says to me softly before she heads over to greet Burns. “Hello, Burns, it’s always a pleasure to see you.”
“Don’t be so hoity-toity around me, Sarah. I like you better when you let your spunk out.” Burns pats her back while she hugs him.
“You are in a mood today.” Dawn smiles, moving in for her hug.
How the hell does the grumpy bastard get all the woman to swoon over him?
“Sweetness, it smells delicious in here. You have my mouth watering.” Burns hugs her a little longer. Too bad Clint isn’t here to witness the old man and his flirtatious ways. “When’s the bird going to be done?”
“In about an hour. We made a ton of food, so I hope you’re hungry.”
“I wore my expandable pants,” he says proudly, demonstrating the elasticity of his pants.
Leaving us men to our football game, the women head back into the kitchen. Burns takes a seat and looks around. “Where are the kids?”
“They’re with Henry,” I grumble. I’ve hated not having the kids around, even if it has been only one day. I’ve grown used to their presence and it feels empty without them here.
“What was Eric’s excuse for not coming?”
“There is reward money for information or the capture of Dawn’s ex, and Eric thinks he has the best shot at bringing him in,” I share, then look over at Benny for more details.
He furrows his brow. “What are you looking at me for?”
“Sarah’s been working with the FBI to make sure Dawn’s whereabouts don’t show up in any of their reports.”
“Okay?” He continues to eye me with a frown.
“The boy’s trying to ask if they are working together,” Burns says over his beer bottle.
“How the hell would I know?” Benny quips.
“She’s your daughter,” I offer with a shrug.
“He’s your brother,” Benny shoots back.
“Eric doesn’t tell me shit.” I sigh, taking a swig from my beer. “I didn’t even know Sarah and Eric were a thing.”
Benny shrugs. “It was a long time ago while you were in the service.”
Time for another part of my plan. Operation Get Amber’s Family Onboard. I always got the feeling Benny and Linda liked me, but they probably heard some of the unflattering rumors Christine was pushing all those years ago. Not to mention Amber’s reluctance may give them reservations.
“About me and Amber…” I say then clear my throat. “Is that going to be a problem with you and Linda?”
“Sounds like you and Amber aren’t a thing,” Burns comments with a smug grin on his wrinkled face.
“If it happens. Linda and I are thrilled; we always liked you. I don’t know what happened all those years ago, but if Amber forgave you then I don’t see the need to dwell on the past, either,” Benny says, extending his beer bottle and I tap it with my own. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I’ll take it. Linda and Sarah will be my stronger allies anyways.
“Thanks, Benny, I appreciate that.”
The front door swings open, tearing my attention from Benny to see Eric standing in the doorway. “Jesus, I forgot how cold it gets up here.”
“What the hell are you doing here?” Shocked to see Eric, I don’t immediately stand from the couch.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Sarah says from where she sits at the kitchen island.
“What? I can’t visit my brothers on Thanksgiving?” Eric asks, dropping his bag and apparently, unconcerned with my heating bill.
“Can you shut the door?” I wave at my younger brother, who wasn’t born in a barn—I should know, because I taught him better.
Burns stands and points to his wife. “I told you I should have brought my camera!”
“Shut it, Burns,” Eric and Sarah say at the same time.
Thanksgiving is going to be fun.
14
- Amber -
“They didn’t have any fresh pineapple but they had the precut stuff. It says fresh on it,” Clint says as he comes through the back door into the kitchen and sets two grocery bags onto the island.