Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3)(50)

“All right, guys!” Patti called. “Dinner’s ready!”

The boys wasted no time piling into the room. Patti sat at the head of the table. Down one side were Jay, Marna, Kopano, and Zania. Down the other side were Ginger, Blake, Kaidan, and me. Ginger had bumped me aside when I tried to sit next to Patti, so I let her. I couldn’t bring myself to be jealous. Sitting on the end next to Kai, across from Z, I couldn’t complain. I loved seeing all eight of us in couples. Everyone except Patti, that is. She looked around the table, that motherly grin of satisfaction never leaving her face.

“Do y’all mind if I pray?” she asked.

Silence.

Blake, Kaidan, and the twins were frozen stiff, and though Patti had to sense it, her warm smile never faltered. I saw Kopano give Marna a small nudge, and she cleared her throat.

“Um, whatever you’d like, Patti.”

In awkward movements, everyone looked around hesitantly until Patti said, “Let’s hold hands.” So we reached out for each other. My heart thumped, hoping the awkwardness in the air would pass. Kaidan twined his fingers with mine, and his palm felt clammy. I bowed my head and closed my eyes.

Patti’s voice was soft. Almost immediately a blanket of peace seemed to drape itself over the room. “Heavenly Father . . .” She sighed as if already overwhelmed. “You’re certainly asking a lot of these precious children, and I can see why. The possibilities in them are endless, and I hope they can feel that strength in themselves. We don’t know exactly what’s in store, but we know the battle won’t be easy. I beg you to fortify their hearts, prepare their minds, and free them of fear.” Her voice got thick, and I heard Marna sniff. The moment felt so peaceful. So right. “And while you’re at it, please help me not to worry. Thank you for this day, and bless this meal. Amen.”

Amens were whispered around the table. When we lifted our heads and opened our eyes, I sucked in a surprised breath, and I wasn’t the only one. The room was bathed in bright light that shone down through the ceiling. I had to squint. It stayed with us only a few seconds before lifting, leaving us Nephilim gaping.

“What is it?” Patti asked.

She couldn’t see the light.

Jay looked around at our wide eyes, too. “What just happened?”

Marna leaned into his arms. “Everything’s going to be okay,” she said, letting him rub her arm and kiss her head.

Ginger stared down at her empty plate, emotions warring on her face, still holding hands with Blake. Kaidan looked at me, his eyes like rushing waters that couldn’t contain the powerful feelings.

We were all anxious about what was to come.

“Yes,” Kopano said to us all. His face was stoic. “Everything is going to be just fine.” Zania let out a breath next to him and nodded. Marna wiped her eyes and sat up straight.

“Good,” said Patti, still appearing confused about what she’d missed. “That’s the spirit. Let’s eat.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

BIG ROTTY

Halfway through the meal, while we were all laughing and telling stories, I made the mistake of placing my hand on Kaidan’s upper thigh without thinking.

He let out a groan loud enough to silence the room. I slipped my hand back into my own lap, and Kaidan cleared his throat.

“Wow,” he said. “The corn pudding is fantastic.”

I snorted, which started a round of snickers. Patti smiled at Kaidan like he was a precious boy.

“Isn’t it good? Anna found the recipe a few years ago. She’s a great cook.”

“Mm-hm.” Kaidan gave a tight-lipped smile. “That she is.”

“I made the sweet potatoes!” Ginger said.

Blake put an arm around her. “And they are awesome, girl.” He winked, and she eyed him suspiciously until he took a huge bite of the gooey yams. His eyes rolled back and he moaned as loudly as Kaidan had. We all laughed, and Ginger backhanded his arm, whispering, “Git.”

Patti looked like she was in heaven. “They’re perfect, Ginger. Thank you—thanks to all of you for your help. This was the best holiday meal of my life, and I’ve had some pretty good ones.” She winked at me.

“Everything was wonderful, Miss Patti,” Ginger told her, earning a pleased smile.

“Well, everyone eat up.”

Every guy at the table reached out, not hesitating.

“Anna,” Marna said. “Pass the potatoes, please.”

I reached for the bowl just as Ginger snorted a laugh. “You can’t be serious. You’ve already had a serving. That’s enough for you.”

Marna’s cheeks reddened. “I know, but I’m still hungry.”

Ginger pursed her lips, giving her sister a challenging glare.

Kaidan took the mashed potatoes from my hand. “Give it a rest, Gin. Let her eat.”

He passed the bowl across the table. Marna was too upset to take it now, so Jay did. He gave Kaidan a grateful look before spooning more onto Marna’s plate for her. Then Jay kissed her cheek. She stared at her plate without moving.

“If you so much as gain a pound, Astaroth will notice.” Ginger’s voice was steely.

Patti wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin, clearly not comfortable with the direction things were heading.

Still staring at her plate, Marna said, “We all know I’m going to gain a lot more than a pound. I’ll just have to find ways to avoid him. We rarely see him as it is.”