Cold beer in the cooler. A breeze off the lake. Blue skies unmarred by a single drifting cloud.
It was all the more sweeter now than ever before. He savored every single day back in Tennessee, surrounded by his family. And now Shea.
He looked up as Swanny walked onto the deck holding a cookie sheet piled high with the burgers. Swanny handed the tray off to Donovan just as Shea and Nathan’s mom walked out behind Swanny.
Nathan held out his hand, wanting Shea close to him. She walked to him and slipped her hand in his automatically, as if she hadn’t given it any other thought. He liked that.
He wrapped his arm around her, anchoring her against his waist while his mom stood to the side and beamed. In her mind she already had them married, settled in Nathan’s finished house, and she was no doubt plotting grandchildren too.
And while that might terrify some men, Nathan didn’t mind it at all. He already knew what he wanted. He’d known from the very start. It had never been a question of him wanting Shea permanently in his life. He needed her. She was his other half, and he didn’t mean that in a cutesy soul mate kind of way. She literally was the other half of his soul. Their connection—their bond—was one that not many people shared, he didn’t care how much in love they were.
He just hoped to hell she felt the same and that, when this was all over, she’d want to stay with him. Here. Somewhere else. It didn’t matter to him. Yeah, he loved his family. Loved his life here. But he’d be happy anywhere Shea was, and if that required living elsewhere, he wouldn’t think twice about it.
They were careful not to discuss Shea’s situation in front of his parents. Instead today was a day to simply enjoy and to forget the shadow that hung over them. For a few hours, Nathan would pretend that this was his life. His life with Shea.
Marlene fussed endlessly over Swanny. She bullied him when the burgers were served and he only took one. Nathan smiled because his friend didn’t have a chance in hell. Nathan’s mom was a force of nature and she’d already decided that Swanny was going to be her next adopted chick. She even made him sit by her when they all took their places at the table.
Then Frank simply reached out and took his wife’s hand on one side and Donovan’s on the other. Donovan in turn reached for Nathan’s. Nathan slipped his hand over Shea’s at the same time Joe, on her other side, took her other hand and then reached next to him for Swanny’s hand, and Marlene completed the chain when she gripped his other hand.
In his gruff voice, Frank said a prayer, thanking God for bringing Nathan back to his family. For introducing Swanny into the Kelly fold and finally for Shea. He asked for His hand of safety to surround Shea and then he asked Him to bless the food before them.
After issuing a solemn Amen, which was echoed by everyone at the table, Frank looked up, still holding tightly to his wife’s and son’s hands.
“Never forget that family is the most important thing. No matter how far your life takes you away, your family is always here. And if you’re nothing else in this world, you’re a Kelly, and that makes you loved.”
Nathan’s throat tightened. He raised his gaze to stare at his dad. Yeah, he understood the message. Don’t push your family away. They loved you no matter what.
Frank nodded in Nathan’s direction and then released his hold on Marlene’s and Donovan’s hands.
“Let’s eat before the meat gets cold,” he said.
Shea dug in and guilt tugged at Nathan. Joe had been right. She was starving. Though how he’d known that, Nathan wasn’t sure. Or maybe he just guessed.
“They’re wonderful, Swanny,” Shea said as she licked one of her fingers. “Best burger I’ve ever had.”
Swanny smiled when the others added their praises.
“Seems to me that I could step down from the barbeque pit now that we have an expert,” Frank said.
Swanny held up his hands. “Oh no, sir. You see, a team is required for these matters. Preparation is only one part of the whole. It can be prepared masterfully, but if it’s not grilled to perfection, then preparation doesn’t matter one bit. I respectfully suggest that you continue manning the Kelly grill.”
Marlene reached over and patted Swanny’s hand. “Then you’ll just have to make sure you’re here to do the preparing.”
Shea grinned in Swanny’s direction, and Nathan caught the words she mouthed. I told you so.
Unsure of what that was all about, he began fixing Shea another burger. When he offered it to her, she looked like she was going to say no, but he plopped it onto her plate with a one-word directive. “Eat.”
She ate half of it before finally pushing the plate away with a groan. “That was so good, but I’m stuffed now.”
Swanny started to get up to collect some of the plates, but Shea got to her feet, maneuvering from the picnic table, and then leaned over to put her hand on Swanny’s arm.
“You stay out here, Swanny. I’ll clear the table. You were in the kitchen all afternoon.”
“So were you,” Swanny said in amusement.
Marlene stood and, at the same time, pushed Swanny back down, her hand firm on his shoulder. “I’ll help Shea. You stay here and visit with the boys.”
Nathan watched as Shea and his mom disappeared into the house bearing armfuls of dishes. Without a word, Donovan and Joe stood and Nathan followed right behind. Frank chuckled as he, too, rose.
“Glad to see my boys haven’t forgotten all I taught them.”
Donovan grinned. “More like I don’t want my ass in a sling.”
They began collecting dishes and clearing the table while Swanny sat and watched them in confusion. “Now wait a minute. I was forbidden to help and was ordered to maintain my station, but you guys are all helping.”
“I don’t much believe there’s such a thing as woman’s work,” Frank said. “I’ve always brought my boys up to help out whether it’s with the cooking or cleaning. Now, their mother will give orders and usually I’m not one to teach my children to disobey their mother, but there are times, and this is one of them, when you just don’t listen to her.”
Amusement flared in Swanny’s eyes. “Ah, okay. I think I get it now. I should get my ass up and help no matter what she told me.”
Frank nodded and handed him a stack of dishes. “Exactly.”
CHAPTER 32
DUSK lay over the lake like a blanket. The sky was painted in lavender shades of pink and purple, and the water reflected the incandescent glow of twilight.
Donovan had lighted citronella torches around the deck to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Everyone was sprawled in deck chairs, enjoying the evening after a day filled with food, laughter and the comfort of just being home.
Marlene eased the sliding glass doors open and slipped outside, closing them quietly behind her. “We should go, Frank. I’m sure they’re all tired.”
Nathan sat forward, wondering why his mom was practically tiptoeing outside. “Where’s Shea?”
His mom smiled as Frank stood beside her. “She’s inside asleep on the couch, so everyone needs to be quiet on the way back through.”
Nathan pushed upward and out of his seat. He went to the door and quietly opened it, stepping in, his gaze scanning the living room. As his mom had said, Shea was curled up on the couch, her head resting against the arm.
She looked incredibly small, her legs drawn up to her body. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her, as if she protected herself even in sleep.
The others came in behind him, glanced Shea’s way and smiled. His mom and dad came over to give Nathan a hug and then motioned that they were leaving.