Things were supposed to be easier. They were together now, right?
He took her hand and opened the front door for her. The smell of the fried cornmeal dough brought back familiar childhood memories of making gingerbread houses, some big, some small, all fairly ugly masterpieces.
Mom rushed out of the kitchen with enthusiastic hugs for them both. “I’m so happy you’re here. We’re about to start our gingerbread house contest.”
“Except we use graham crackers because gingerbread is gross,” Alec said from the couch. “And I always win.” He jumped up and followed them into the kitchen.
Dillon looked at the table covered in bowls of candy and cardboard sheets. They could’ve filled the entire car ride here with explanations about this particular wacky family tradition. He should have prepped her for this. Oh well, it was a nice surprise, and would probably work out better. They could talk to everyone while they built the houses – a discussion, not an announcement. The non-marriage announcement. He couldn’t believe what Josie had said earlier, inferring that he was popping the question tonight. How embarrassing.
“Do you want to build your own or work together?” he asked Lina.
“Work together.” She sat down and pulled up a chair next to his. “How do you win this thing anyway? Who’s judging them?”
“I’m the judge.” Trent, who had been sitting at the end of the table with his arms folded, nodded at them. “I’m totally impartial. Best one wins, no matter who it belongs to.”
Rick looked over from where he was wiping off the counter. “Nope, I’m judging this year. I stink at building them. Might as well try my hand at judging and let Trent give making one a try.”
Trent’s mouth dropped open. “All right, fine.” He pushed his chair closer to the table and began assembling his supplies. He stuck out his elbows, claiming his space and letting Alec and Josie know not to come any closer. “What about you, Mom?”
“I’ll hand out the corn dogs and come sit. But I’d prefer to be on a team.”
Josie waved her over. “Join me.”
Lina had watched the proceedings with wide, curious eyes. Mom handed her a corn dog and put down a paper plate with ketchup and mustard circles. Lina thanked her and took an exploratory bite after swirling hers in mustard.
Dillon took a bite of his. He loved the crispy breading on the outside. Comfort food at its finest.
His ex-girlfriend, Cammie, would have been appalled at a family dinner like this with the squabbling and paper plates and junk food. He could almost hear her now. But then, Dillon didn’t want to dwell there anymore. In fact, he realized with some elation that he rarely thought of her at all anymore, and only when thinking how different Lina was, much more the type to go with the flow. Lina didn’t care about formalities, and she didn’t judge.
Her eyes met his right then and he dropped a quick, fierce kiss against her lips.
She smiled. “What was that for?”
“Because …”I love you. He couldn’t say that. “No reason.”
She held up two graham crackers. “How do I turn these into a palace? Guide me, oh wise one.”
“I’ve always used the house of cards method. Basically, a whole bunch of tents stacked on top of one another.”
They got to work, and for a few minutes there was only the sound of working and munching.
And then Josie looked over. “So, what’s the big announcement, you two?”
“There’s an announcement?” Alec asked. “Am I getting fired? It’s like a dream come true.”
Dillon shook his head. “Nope, you’re still a farmer, Alec. But, um,” he looked over at Lina. “We just wanted to clarify something. Not that it’s really anyone’s business.”
Now he had a lot of blank looks coming his way. Trent stared at Lina’s belly. Nope, Dillon didn’t want anyone thinking this was a pregnancy announcement.
“Lina and I are dating,” he blurted out.
Rick laughed. “Wow, that’s exciting news.”
“What I mean is…”
Lina squeezed his knee. “You guys remember how Kip was hoping someone else would bring their significant other to Thanksgiving?”
Trent pointed at her. “I knew it.”
