Cabin Fever(84)

 

I sit down next to the seat at the head of the table and Jeremy takes the spot next to me. James is on my left, Leah next to him, then Robinson and Jana. That puts Jeremy’s sister right across the table from me. I’m once again grateful for the glasses.

 

“Shall we say grace?” Jana asks, holding her hands out on either side of her.

 

I place my napkin in my lap and watch as everyone takes the hand of the person next door. I do the same. My heart skips beat after beat as I hold Jeremy on my right and James on my left, and Jana stares me right in the eye.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Thirty-Eight

 

 

 

 

 

“BLESS US, LORD, FOR THE food we are about to receive,” she says. She looks to Robinson, waiting.

 

“And for the company you’ve allowed us to keep,” Robinson adds, winking at her for a moment before he looks up at Jeremy expectantly.

 

“And for the good health of everyone we hold dear,” Jeremy says, glancing at me and then resting his gaze on Leah.

 

“And for family. Through good times and bad, thick and thin, always there for us,” Leah says, kissing James on the hand when she’s done.

 

“Thank you, Lord, for our parents, who saw fit to have three children, flawed but still perfect,” James says, his voice rough. Then he turns to me and nods once.

 

I clear my throat, knowing it’s my turn to add to the prayer before it can be finished. This system of saying grace is new to me, but I like it. Family style. I look at all the people with their heads bowed around the table and know that the calm I see here is going to need some serious support if we’re going to make it through in one, undamaged piece.

 

“And thank you too, for your forgiveness when we screw up and for giving us the strength to forgive when someone we love stumbles.”

 

“Amen!” Jeremy says, squeezing my hand before letting it go.

 

“Awesome sauce,” Leah says, digging into her spaghetti.

 

“Thanks, Leah,” Jeremy says, smiling.

 

“She hasn’t even tasted it yet,” James says.

 

Leah crosses her eyes at them. “I didn’t mean the spaghetti sauce, geez.”

 

The brothers look at each other confused. We girls just laugh at our inner joke.

 

“So, tell us about your adventure at the cabin,” Leah says, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “Sounds like you two really hit it off.”

 

I shake my head. “Not at first.” I sink my fork into my noodles and start twirling.

 

“No, she didn’t like me at all when she first met me,” Jeremy says, nudging my hand. “Huh?”

 

“No, not really.” I look around the table. “He’d left about a hundred empty beer bottles all over the place. It took me hours to clean up after him. I thought there were squatters living there.”

 

James shakes his head, censure in his tone. “The booze was a mistake.”

 

“I’ve got it under control now, you don’t need to worry.”

 

“And the drugs?” James asks.

 

“Easy does it, James,” Robinson scolds. “We just got here. Give us time to get to the garlic bread, at least.” He reaches for the basket overflowing with the diner-style goodness.

 

Nervous giggles come from somewhere. Maybe me.

 

Jeremy responds. “I’m clean, in case it’s anyone’s business. And I’m going to meetings now, too. AA.”

 

I look up, frowning. “You didn’t tell me.”

 

He shrugs. “I didn’t think it mattered.”

 

I twirl some pasta onto my fork. “It doesn’t. I’m just… happy for you.”

 

He puts his hand over mine, stilling my movements. “Thank you. And sorry I didn’t mention it. I just started this week. I wanted to see how it went before I told you. I wanted to be sure I was going to keep going.”

 

“Are you?” asks James, his expression dark and distrusting.

 

“Yes, I am.” Jeremy’s face is red, but he’s going a great job of keeping his temper in check. I wish I could say the same for myself. I’m starting to feel very protective of Jeremy where James is concerned.

 

“Jeremy is starting up the renovation on the brownstone again,” I say, nodding so everyone can join in the happy moment. “He has contractors lined up and everything.”

 

“That’s great, Jer, congrats,” Robinson says, raising his glass. “Here’s to new beginnings!”

 

Everyone joins in. Jeremy smiles. As he touches his glass to mine he winks. Then he lifts his glass higher towards the center of the table.