Page 181 of Rescuing You

Dad had been supportive—right after he’d been angry that Michael hadn’t told him the truth about his job sooner.

Now, it seemed that gratitude had won the day, and Michael felt exactly the same way. If not for God, he didn’t want to think about where he, Leila, and Jasmine would be.

All glory to You, Lord.

Leila squeezed his hand, and he had the feeling she was thinking exactly the same thing.

“We thank You for the delicious food and the beautiful woman who prepared it.”

“Amen!” Derrick said, eliciting chuckles around the table.

“And we thank You for the little ones represented here at this table, Grant and Summer’s unborn baby, and Levi.”

Michael heard what his father didn’t say—his thanks for Jasmine’s child.

“Bless our food and our conversation. Let it be sprinkled with grace.”

Ah. And that was for Michael, for what he was about to do.

“In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, amen.”

Choruses of amen were followed quickly by clanking dishes and chattering Wrights.

Mom had been happy to let Sam host, but she’d done all the cooking. The family passed giant platters of spaghetti Bolognese and fettuccini Alfredo, baskets of crusty garlic bread, and bowls of crisp Caesar salad. There was an antipasto plate with olives, peppers, and fancy cheeses, and Eliza carried in a dish of bruschetta warm from the broiler.

All Michael’s favorites, and he was pleased to see the sisters taking portions of everything.

He leaned close to Leila. “No pressure if you don’t like something. Mom’s not going to get her feelings hurt.”

She looked at him with genuine confusion. “Is it not good? It looks very good.”

“It’s delicious.”

“I thought so.” She took a spoonful of pasta and passed him the dish. “I do not feel pressure. I do feel hungry.”

Once the food was passed around, they dug in. For about thirty seconds, it was quiet. Michael enjoyed his food, but he enjoyed watching Leila taste hers even more. The way she seemed to savor every option. The appreciative little moans of pleasure.

Yes, she fit right in. What had he been worried about?

Conversation started again, chatter here and there.

And then his youngest brother pointed a fork at him and raised his voice above the din. “All right, Michael. It’s time for you to tell us what’s going on.” Derrick’s eyes were gleaming, like he thought he was so funny. But beneath that, Michael saw concern. Which made sense, all things considered.

The rest of his family quieted, all looking at him.

Dad knew the high points. Sam knew he was a CIA agent, but nothing about what had happened the last couple of weeks. Even though Michael had been staying with him, there’d been little opportunity to talk, with Eliza and Levi around all the time.

Bryan and Derrick knew he’d had to escape terrorists, but little of what had come before that.

Now, it was time for everybody to know…everything.

The little bit of food he’d managed to toss down turned inside him. He was used to keeping secrets. Secrets made him feel comfortable.

Sharing secrets made him feel exposed.

But these were his people, and they deserved to know.

He set down his fork.