“Welcome to March Family Madness,” I murmured to Bryan, and was rewarded by a flickering smile.
We all trooped into the dining room. John helped our mother to a chair at the head of the table. After a pause, my father took a seat beside Aunt Phee. So that was different.
“Ashton, will you say grace?” my mother asked.
That, too, was new, my father needing an invitation to speak.
We joined hands around the table. Eric’s knee, warm and firm, pressed mine.
My father bowed his head. “Lord, bless this food for our use and our bodies to your service. May we lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, riches that endure. For where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also.”
“Amen,” our mother said, and we all echoed, “Amen.”
“Not that there’s anything wrong with a little treasure here on earth,” Aunt Phee added. She leveled a look at John. “What’s this I hear about your quitting your job to go back to teaching?”
I smothered a grin.
Dishes were passed. Plates were filled. Everybody was shoveling food and talking. Trey dealt manfully with Phee while John discussed working summers at the dealership with old Mr. Laurence. My father said something (I heard the wordsnoble calling) that won a surprised look from John and a nod from the old man. Amy broke off a conversation with Hannah to show Bryan something on her phone. Beth had overcome her shyness to draw out Alec about an upcoming school play.
Here was my treasure, I thought, gathered around the table. Here was my heart. I was surrounded by family. By love.
At the head of the table, Mom held herself stiffly—she had to wear the brace for another week—but her face was warm and relaxed. I’d never realized how much of her mealtime was spent jumping up to serve others, how much of her energy went into taking care of my father. Now she listened as Meg described the recent buyer’s meeting. Eric nodded, adding something about establishing standing orders to restaurants.
He fit in, I thought. He belonged.
“So, when is there going to be another wedding?” Aunt Phee demanded.
Conversation stopped.
Eric took my hand. “That’s up to Jo.” He looked at me, that little crinkle at the corners of his eyes, and for a second I forgot to breathe. “Slow and steady, yeah?”
My heart, already full, flooded. I loved him so much. “Not too slow,” I said.
Eric laughed. And there, in the sight of both our families, he leaned forward and kissedme.
