Snapdragon: Tiny Threads Part 10

The man had a gift.

"What about my wife's smile?"

I stiffened when I heard Royal's voice behind us. There was a definite tense edge to his voice. That was not the first impression I wanted Jason to have of my husband, so I turned quickly and begged him with my eyes to be nice.

Thankfully, Jason wasn't fazed by Royal's att.i.tude one bit. In fact, he didn't miss a beat and swiftly moved forward, hand out.

"You must be Royal. Jason Hutchens."

I watched, mortified as Royal stood stoic, arms crossed over his chest and lips tight. I wanted to kick him in the s.h.i.+ns and then twist his t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es until they looked like raisins.

I was horrified.

Jason took it in stride. His hand went back to his side and a genuine smile pulled at his lips. There was understanding in his eyes, something I'd never understood about men.

"I really appreciate you inviting me to spend the evening with your family."

"I didn't invite you. My wife did."

My hands shook. G.o.d, I was so embarra.s.sed. One night. That's all I asked for was one d.a.m.n night for everyone to act normal. It wasn't a lot to ask, but apparently for my husband, it was.

He was acting like a jealous a.s.s. Jason was far from a threat, but I guess to him, he was. Yes, Jason was an attractive man, but I had no interest in him whatsoever. There wasn't even a moment of attraction for me. We hit it off but in such a friendly way.

I was trying to set him up with my best friend for crying out loud!

"Yes, well, just the same. I'm glad she took pity on a lonely old man and offered him a home cooked meal and company. You've married a very special young lady, Mr. Grainger. She's been like an angel."

"Yes, she is."

Jason gave him a short nod, and the air swirled around us thick and tense like a testosterone cloud. I felt sick. The girls stood to the side, watching the entire thing unravel with wide eyes. It was like a twisted tennis match-entertaining and bizarre.

My party was already turning into a disaster. Of course it was.

"Macy, can you take his wine into the kitchen? Girls, help her get the wine gla.s.ses from the cabinet in the dining room."

They nodded and scuttled off, anxious to escape whatever-the-h.e.l.l it was going on between Jason and Royal.

"Let's go into the living room. Glenn and Sarah are already here. Dinner will be on the table shortly. We're just waiting on Tara and Abbie."

I led Jason into the living room where he was, thankfully, greeted warmly by Glenn and Sarah.

While I got dinner on the table with the girls help, Tara and Abbie showed up and I was finally able to introduce Abbie to Jason. I'd been waiting a long time to see the look on her face.

"And this is my oldest friend, Abbie. Abbie, this is Jason Hutchens."

You could hear crickets sing in the silence of the room, but the sparkle in Abbie's eyes... oh yes, she owed me one. Forever.

Jason had a little twinkle in his eye as he took in the wonder of Abbie, too. She's gone all out for the occasion-not that she ever looked frumpy-but she looked gorgeous. Her chestnut hair fell around her shoulders like silk, and her dress hugged each of her generous curves.

Just perfect.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Abbie. Jenna's been singing your praises."

She lifted an eyebrow in my direction and smiled. "Well, I'll have to thank her for that later." She winked and reached for his hand. "It's really nice to meet you, too. So, Jen tells me you just moved into town..."

I took that as my cue to let them get better acquainted.

"Would anyone like something to drink while I set the table? Jason? A gla.s.s of wine?"

He turned and smiled. "No, thank you, Jenna. I think I'll wait for the meal."

"All right, then, I'm going to finish up in the kitchen."

I glanced over at my fire-breathing husband, who was burning holes in the side of my head from across the room.

"Do you need any help in there?" Jason asked.

"I've got it," Royal snapped before stomping out of the room.

I mouthed sorry on my way out and followed Royal into the kitchen.

He stood against the counter scowling, hands on his hips.

"An old widower, huh?"

I scoffed. "I never said he was an old widower, Royal. Maybe if you actually listened to me once in a while. Yes, he's a widower, but I never said he was old. I said older. Why are you being such a b.a.s.t.a.r.d? I begged you to be nice, Royal."

He took two long strides forward until I could feel his breath on my cheek.

"He's a f.u.c.king chump, and he was flirting with you. In my f.u.c.king house."

I shook my head. "He was not, Royal. He's very charming, that's all. He was flirting with your mom, though."

That p.i.s.sed him off, to the point he trembled. Somehow, I had to shut my mouth and get him settled down before he did, or said, something stupid.

I had to admit, though, that for a moment it felt fantastic having him look at me with such a fierce possessive gleam in his eyes.

"Jenna, I'm this close to breaking that guy's neck. He f.u.c.ks with my mom, and it's over."

I let out a small snicker. "I'm playing matchmaker, Royal. Remember? He's here to meet Abbie."

"Great. That's not much better, Jenna. The guy is... "He took a deep breath and shook his head." I don't like him. He's not Abbie's type."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed his face between my hands. "Royal, you adorably, stupid man. He is Abbie's type. Trust. Me. Did you see her reaction? She's happy."

He pinched his lips together tightly and narrowed his eyes. "I don't like you hanging out with him. We don't even know this guy."

I dug my fingers into his cheeks and growled. "Ugh! That's why I invited him over, Royal! So we can get to know him! Be nice, d.a.m.n it!" I released my grip on his face and patted his chest, giving him a sultry smile and trying to divert the conversation. "Play nice now, and maybe we can play nicer later."

His eyes sparkled before laying a scorching kiss on me. His hands fisted into my hair, and he pushed his pelvis against mine, forcing me back against the countertop. I groaned when I felt his tongue brush against my lips and opened my mouth, eager to let him in.

I was lost and ready to abandon my family and our guest to fend for themselves. I couldn't even remember the last time we'd made out in the kitchen.

"Somebody slip some Spanish Fly in the wine or something?"

Tara's voice startled me, and I giggled nervously against his lips.

"Beat it, Tara," Royal growled.

"I saw you kissin'."

Royal smiled widely when he heard Lily's tinkling voice behind us. "Pip Squeak, you get over here and hug Uncle Royal!"

He bent down, holding his arms wide for her, something he always did. The tap, tap, tap, of her tiny shoes clamored through the kitchen, and then she squealed when she reached him. She wasted no time with the hugs and kisses. It was always the sweetest thing to see.

"I missed my little bug," he told her. "You look so pretty." He tapped her nose before placing her back on her feet.

"Thanks. Mama got me a new dress. And shoes!" She wiggled her foot back and forth, showing off the little sandals on her feet.

Tara leaned in and whispered. "So, where's the hot doc at? I'm dying to check him out."

"He's in the other room."

She turned to walk out of the room when Royal whisper-yelled at her. "He's an old man, Tara."

I smacked his chest. "He's very nice, Tara. Go on. Royal can help me finish getting the food."

"Could I help?" Lily asked, tugging at the edge of my dress.

"Come help me, Pip," Royal said.

Five minutes later, we all sat around my dining room table.

"Shall we say grace?" I asked.

I was grasping. We never said grace on a regular basis. Thanksgiving, holidays, yeah. It just felt like a good night for a prayer as the tension settled around the table like knotted pine.

"Royal, you should do the honors since we're at your table," Sarah said, laying her napkin in her lap.

"I'm not saying a prayer. Food's getting cold," Royal grumbled. He went to pick up his fork, but I smacked it out of his hand.

"I'd be delighted to offer grace," Jason said.

Royal rolled his hand dramatically, giving him the go ahead.

"Thank you, Lord, for bringing me to the home of this lovely family, and for the delicious dinner we'll share. Thank you for providing for us, and most of all, thank you for new friends.h.i.+ps. Amen."

"Amen," we all said in unison.

"Thank you, Jason. That was beautiful," Abbie said, smiling longingly at him.

"It's all true. It's been a long time since I've been in such good company."

Tears p.r.i.c.ked at my eyes, and I wiped them away with my napkin. I knew my family was special. We weren't perfect-more like borderline dysfunctional and crazy. We were a little mixed-up, and we all carried baggage, but there was a lot of love underneath the sludge.

Once the niceties were over, everyone dug into their dinner-except for Laney. Two weeks before, she'd decided to become a vegetarian, so she picked at her green beans and tore into her bread while the rest of us enjoyed prime rib and sinful cheesy potatoes.

Sarah unfortunately brought up Glenn's condition and the visit with the doctor the week before. She never did have the good sense to know what was appropriate in mixed company. I had a feeling she only did it because Tara was there. It was a sore subject, and she was uncomfortable as it was.

Tara would've been left in the dark about Glenn and his treatment and condition if it hadn't been for me filling her in. He refused to talk to her about it when he talked to her at all. It was his stupid pride. He still loved her; I knew it, Royal knew it, and he d.a.m.n well knew it. The only person that didn't was the one that really mattered.

Tara.

His actions and behavior hurt her to the core. She sat quietly and listened intently, but she didn't dare look at him. It was so uncomfortable; it always was with the two of them.

And then there was Royal. He barely offered anything to conversation throughout dinner and had excused himself at least three times to get a beer from the kitchen. Finally, I had had it, so I followed him.

Except he wasn't in the kitchen, he was in the bathroom, talking on the phone. I was livid. Not only was he being rude, he was being sneaky, and it sent cold chills up my spine.

I banged on the door, barely holding onto my composure. "Royal? What are you doing in there?"

His voice dropped abruptly, but not low enough that I couldn't hear what he was saying.

"It's not a good time. We're in the middle of dinner, I gotta go."

I knocked again, louder and more insistent, getting angrier by the minute.

"Who are you talking to?"

"I can't," he whispered, lower than before.

My nerves were shot. The anxiety over the party-introducing Jason, and then Royal's secret bathroom bulls.h.i.+t-I was about to snap.

"Look, I have to go. Call the office or come by tomorrow. Bye, Lana."

He opened the door a moment later, and the echo of my hand hitting his cheek ricocheted off the walls. "You son-of-a-b.i.t.c.h," I seethed.

He glared, silently, holding his hand against his reddened cheek.

"You think it's okay to take a call from her while we're in the middle of family dinner? We have company, Royal!"

He leaned in close and whispered harshly. "I came to take a p.i.s.s, and she called, so I answered. Calm down."

My breath shuddered. He was so full of s.h.i.+t. I wasn't sure what was going on, but whatever it was, it wasn't good. My heart raced, and I could feel every pulse in my throat.

"You said you wouldn't talk to her again," I whispered."

His lips pressed together tight, causing the muscles in his jaw to tick.