Meg grinned, and followed Bret with her eyes. “Dad’s Spidey sense at play.”
Tom went to help Olivia. “This family has great moms and grandparents alongside two cops, a lawyer, foster parent experience, and three men with eight kids between them – these children are not getting away with anything.”
Olivia patted his back. “Indeed.”
Pulled pork, cheesy scalloped potatoes, salad, and grandma’s homemade rolls made Tom’s stomach growl. There had to be dessert here somewhere, too. It’s how his grandmother did things. He lifted dishes from the cupboard at his grandmother’s direction. “Where are we eating?”
“Dining room. More space.”
He carried dishes to the table and did place settings for each. Chad and Robin finally came through the front door. “Everything all right?”
Chad stepped into the doorway, wet and frowning. “Umbrella wasn’t helpful. Wind is blowing. Anybody check for tornado warnings?”
Summer came with silverware. “App says thunderstorm warnings, but I didn’t check the weather radar.”
“I will,” Meg called from the kitchen. “At least it’s warmed a bit from a few days ago. I’m not prepared to have snow, yet. Three more days to winter break.”
“Mommy!” Two little boys elbowed into the room to get to Robin.
Bret shifted out of the way. “Whoa, cowboys!”
“Nobody loves me,” Chad griped.
“Right.” Tom rolled his eyes.
“Why the impromptu dinner?” Chad lifted Brodie to his shoulder.
Summer finished laying out the silverware. “I’m doing some research on Echo Falls to help form a mural I’m planning in town, and Olivia offered to tell me the Applegate family history.”
“Cool.” Chad swooped an arm to Boo. “Slow down. Grandma has breakable treasures in here.”
Boo frowned. “I forgot. Sorry, Grandma.”
Olivia carried the salad to the table. Thunder rattled the windows. “Let’s get to eating before the lights go off.”
Tom laughed. “I’m so ready.” He pulled out a chair for Summer. Places were arranged from weeks and weeks of family dinners, so seating took less than two minutes.
Bret slipped into the kitchen to help Meg from her seat and guide her to her spot at the table. “Okay?”
“Yes.” She beamed at him. “I am so hungry.”
Tom agreed with her. “Me, too. This Santa hunt is interrupting quiet police work.”
Getting Ben and Brodie settled in their places, Chad huffed. “If I’d been a bit faster this morning, but it was dark and took me a minute to realize there was someone out there. I swear I’m getting the surveillance camera replaced, but I didn’t think I’d need it again until next summer.”
“Did I hear correctly that Mia Devlin is helping the police department?” Meg shifted in her chair and groaned. “Dang kid kicking me.”
“Yeah, she’s doing a forensic class online from Arizona State.”
Meg frowned. “I thought she was studying engineering.”
“Not today.” Tom didn’t even try to contain his exasperation.
Meg took a sip of her water. “I’ve had her in the classroom. She learns fast, but the lack of experience leaves her behind, and she overcompensates. Be careful.”
“Oh, between me and Carmen were keeping pace with her. Chief won’t have it any other way.”
Olivia stopped everyone’s talking, said grace, then passed the food. “So Summer, tell us about your project. What can I help you with?”
