“Love you too, honey,” I said. “Want to soap me up in the shower?”
“Hell, yeah.”
I laughed and led him to our huge steam shower where we got dirty several times before he soaped me up.
* * *
Arric opened the car door for me, holding his hand out so I could take it and slide out. He pulled me close and kissed me gently, stroking my cheek and smiling. “You look beautiful.”
I smiled. “Thanks, love. You do too. You okay?”
He sighed. “Gettin’ there.”
“According to Chelsea, Callum brought a case of beer from the company he just invested in. He said he’s willing to share the love.”
“Your brother already owns most of the beer in Scotland, what more does he want?”
I patted his chest. “He’s moving on to Ireland.”
Arric grinned. “Irish beer I can get behind.”
“Turncoat.” I leaned up and kissed him quickly. “I’m ready for Mum’s turkey. Let’s go eat.”
“Explain this non-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner again,” he requested.
I chuckled. “It’s simply an excuse for Mum to make turkey a month before Thanksgiving. Just go with it.”
“Well, I haven’t had a proper non-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner in… ah… ever.”
“Prepare to roll yourself home.”
“Can’t wait,” he said, and we walked inside.
“We’re here!” I called out.
“You’re late,” my father growled as he walked into the foyer and pulled me in for a hug.
I laughed. “We’re five minutes early.”
Dad smiled. “Missed you, lass.”
“Missed you too, Da.”
Dad shook Arric’s hand, then led us through the house to the kitchen.
“Isla!” Mum squeaked, rushing for me, and pulling me in for a hug. “Hi, honey. Good lord, I’ve missed you.”
“We were only gone for a week,” I pointed out.
“A week too long,” she retorted, releasing me, and moving onto Arric. “Hi, honey.”
Arric hugged her. “Hey, Pepper.”
“Can I help?” I asked.
“We’ve got it, honey,” Mum said.
My mother had a team of six in the kitchen with her, plus my father, so I knew she’d deny my help, but she still raised me to be polite, and that meant I offered. Every time.
