I realize Faylor had passed me the basket of rolls, and I was staring at them in my hands like a royal idiot. No one spoke at the table.
I glance up at Flint, who has probably known Rand the longest, and see this is a surprise to my new brother-in-law.
“Well,” I pull a roll out of the basket and pass it to Wysdom. “Every family has a different origin story. There’s the family you’re born with. The family you choose. And the family that grows and merges over time. They all combine to make us who we are.”
I look around at our ragtag blended family. “For example, Deuce married Denise after Wysdom’s mom died, making Denise a ‘Bonus Mom.’ Wysdom became the Bonus Mom to Ruston and Sienna when she and Luke adopted them. Then came their twins - Wil and Carmine. Celia straightened out her grown twins and worked things out with her soulmate Flint after she was accused of murder. Sol and Faith faced down a murderer on their first date. And Mama and Papa’s first date was more than 50 years ago, but they are still looking for ways to spice things up. Even though Idon’twant to think about that too much.”
Everyone starts laughing, except Rand. He’s frowning at me over Faylor’s head.
“And I don’t know about the love story between Dixon and Kate, but the fact that they both wear hilarious T-shirts says an awful lot about their relationship,” I shrug. “I guess what I’m saying is - everyone’s crazy. But when you find your brand of crazy, that’s when you know you’ve found your people. Your family.”
People are smiling. Papa nods in my direction. “Well said,Mija. Now, let’s eat!”
I look back at Rand. If he continues to scowl at me, his face is going to freeze like that.
Chapter 12
“I’ve been waiting for my ship to come in, but this one is unexpected.”
-Rand
Carolina’s words freeze me to my spot - talking about family being what you make of it.
They pierce my heart because I know it better than anyone at the table. It’s what happens when your mother dies while you’re away at college. Or when your sister dies in childbirth, and you have to make life-altering decisions at the age of 29.
Faylor elbows me in the ribs.
I blink. Carolina is scowling at me. For what, I don’t know.
“Pork butt?”
I shake my head and turn to the fireplug man to my left. “Excuse me?”
Dixon passes me a platter. “Pork butt?”
“Oh, yeah, sure,” I take the platter and a slice of pork.
The rest of the dinner party guests are deep in their conversations, passing food, laughing at jokes, and helping the children with their plates. I sneak a look at Carolina. Her head is bent toward Faylor’s.
“What’s your favorite movie?” Faylor asks.
“The Princess Bride,” Carolina winks. “Hands down.”
“Rand,” Faylor turns to me. “Did you hear that? Carolina’s favorite movie is…”
“Yep,” I interrupt. “I heard her. That’s great. We’ve seen that a few times.”
Faylor rolls her eyes at me. I narrow my eyes at her with a silent message to not mess up my chances with Carolina.
Maybe Carolina would like to see our Dread Pirate Roberts?Dick whispers from my pants.
That doesn’t even make any damn sense.I think-whisper back.
We can make her walk my plank.Dick suggests.
I shift in my seat. This is not the time for Dick to have impure thoughts. I’m surrounded by most of Carolina and Luke’s family.
Faylor elbows me in the ribs again. “Did you know Carolina is in the Secret Service?”
