“Nothing you can say will make me believe you’re stupid,” he assured her. “Tell me what’s the matter.”
“Nancy answers the door. I didn’t realize how something this small made me feel this much dread,” she confided.
Jameson wrapped his arms around her. “It’s your nervous system. It’s stuck in fight or flight,” he said softly in her ear. “There’s nothing wrong with you. Your body needs time to adjust.”
Caroline nodded and pulled away.
Jameson took a step back and picked up his surprise. “I found the Italian restaurant you spoke about last night. I ordered you chicken parmesan and didn’t know what your dad liked, so I got a few things,” he said, showing her the food.
Her mouth fell open, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. “Thank you. What a treat. Can you bring it into the kitchen? Dad’s on the patio. I’ll get him.”
Jameson took everything and headed to the kitchen while she wheeled her father inside.
“You won’t believe what Jameson brought us,” she said, taking him to the kitchen table. “I’ll be right back.”
Bounding back into the kitchen, she grabbed plates and silverware while Jameson took everything from the bags.
“You will eat with us, right?” she asked. “Dad will be in heaven.”
“Sure, as long as you’re comfortable with it,” he said, gazing at her.
Nodding, she grabbed the dinnerware and took it to the dining room. At the sight of Jameson following her with food trays, her father beamed.
“Hello, son,” he greeted. “What do we have here?”
“He brought us Italian food from our old neighborhood,” she informed him, smiling.
Thomas placed a hand over his chest as Jameson placed the trays before him.
“You’ve given us such a gift. We plan to play cards after we eat. You’ll stay and join us, won’t you?” Thomas said, waving him to sit on the other side of him.
“I’ll grab drinks and be right back,” Caroline said, disappearing into the other room.
“You did good, son,” Thomas said, patting his hand and gesturing toward the food.
“He’s only saying it because he remembers how bad I cooked. If you didn’t show up with this, he’d be forced to eat my impromptu stir fry,” she teased. “Doesn’t this smell delicious?”
Jameson unwrapped the bread while Caroline poured the olive oil and added seasonings.
She placed a small plate beside her father, and Jameson passed him a piece of bread.
“Son, did you fly there? It’s still warm,” Thomas exclaimed as he dipped it in the seasonings. He closed his eyes and chewed, obviously enjoying it.
Caroline smiled, watching her dad. Jameson passed her the chicken parmesan.
“Thank you,” she said, taking a small piece and filling her plate with pasta.
“And she smiles,” her father clapped his hands together. “It’s the best gift yet.”
“Eat before your food gets cold,” she chastised him lovingly.
“What did you do today, son?”Thomas asked him.
“We have some new leads on a local trafficker. He’s expecting a shipment soon, and we plan to grab him then. Rachel took Delaney to the doctor. She’s experiencing some Braxton Hicks, and she’s ready for this baby to make an appearance.”
“I’m sure she’s uncomfortable,” Caroline sympathized, cutting her chicken.
“Rebecca asked me to give you this,” he said, handing her an envelope.
