“That’s very noble of you,” she said instead.
“It’s no more than what Andy would have done for me,” Dalton said, turning back to continue assembling sandwiches.
That was a big assumption. But then again, Andy wassuch a warm and wonderful person that Ella actually could picture him showing up to lend a hand and share memories with an old friend’s parents.
He didn’t show up for me when Lee died.
But that wasn’t a fair thought. Andy had been preparing to leave the country back when Lee was in hospice. He’d been serving his country, and he couldn’t just drop that kind of commitment to be with his sister, no matter how much he loved her.
Let it pass…
Ella used to be deeply troubled by the sudden feelings of resentment that sometimes snuck up on her, especially the ones that weren’t rational or fair. But she tried to take them as signs of her sorrow, and let them pass peacefully instead of beating herself up or overanalyzing. If she didn’t give them room to take root in her heart or mind, then maybe, in time, they might stop altogether.
“There we go,” Dad said with satisfaction, setting the sandwiches in the pans.
Dalton had already opened a can of tomato soup and Dad grabbed milk from the fridge and a couple of things from the spice rack.
“Hope you don’t mind me doctoring it up?” he asked.
“Sounds great, sir,” Dalton said.
Ella wondered why her dad didn’t correct the man. He was forever trying to convince everyone to call him Michael. All thissirstuff probably bugged the heck out of him.
“I won’t overstay my welcome tonight,” Dalton said suddenly, turning to her mom. “I’m heading over to the inn once we’ve eaten, and I’ll be back at dawn.”
“Heavens,” her mother said. “You’ll do no such thing. We’ve got plenty of space here.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose,” Dalton said. “You hardly know me.”
“How are we supposed to get to know you if you’re all the way over at the inn?” Dad asked, winking at him.
Dalton’s handsome face twitched almost imperceptibly before he cast those startlingly blue eyes to the ground.
Was he hiding a smile?
“I’ll stay,” he said. “Thank you.”
“That’s more like it,” her dad told him. “Now, let’s get these onto plates.”
In no time at all, they were sitting at the oval kitchen table together, ready to dig in.
As always, she and her parents bowed their heads for a moment of silent thanks before eating.
When she opened her eyes, Dalton’s gaze was fixed on her again.
She found herself wanting to explain, but what was the point? She gave thanks for her meals, and maybe it was a little old-fashioned, but it felt good and right. Who was he to judge?
If Ella and her parents had thought they would learn more about Dalton at the table, they were wrong. He ate in silence, with so much enthusiasm that Ella wondered when his last meal had been.
As soon as Dalton was finished, he was up in a flash, carrying plates and pans to the sink.
Ella moved to intercept him. Washing up was normally her job.
But her father placed a hand on her wrist and she kept her seat, watching as the big man carefully washed each item and placed it in the drainboard.
“Thank you very much, Dalton,” her mom said. “Ella can show you to your room now. It was Andy’s, so you’ll see some photos of him when he was younger in there.”
“Thank you,” Dalton said, waiting for Ella to lead the way. “I appreciate your hospitality, and I’ll do all I can to earn it.”
