Page 138 of I’ll Be Watching You

Cal breathed easier.

Ryan, Josie’s boyfriend, came over with two beers and handed one to Cal.

“Thanks,” Cal said and opened it. He took a hearty swig.

“They can be overwhelming,” Ryan said. “But I look forward to the family dinners now.” He glanced at Cal. “You okay?”

“Sure,” he said.

He was actually more than okay.

Tom called everyone over to the table to say grace. Cal and Ryan glanced at each other, stunned that the mass of people all converged and sat within ninety seconds.

Rafe was seated next to his mother and rose to speak. “Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of this day, for the love of family and friends, and for the bounty before us. We give special thanks for the freedom and light You have granted to Cooper—a sign of Your mercy and power to redeem. Though our family has faced trials, You have sustained us with grace and love, leading us through darkness into hope and life. Bless this meal and all who share it. Amen.”

“Amen,” everyone said in unison.

Hector said, “You may eat.”

Everyone rose and got in line to serve themselves from a buffet that would rival any hotel, Cal thought. The family ate, laughed, told stories, and Cal had never felt like he belonged anywhere more than here.

Nate and Luisa were in the midst of a friendly argument, and Tess and Gabriel were laughing about something Luisa said. Nico and his boyfriend, Quincy, were in a heated discussion about baseball with Jack and his son, Austin. Apparently, Quincy was a Dodgers fan and Austin a die-hard D-Backs fan. Quincy appeared to be gloating. Hector, the patriarch, was smiling as he ate, and as Cal watched, Hector took his wife’s hand and kissed it. She looked at him with such love that Cal felt blessed to witness it.

To have a life this well lived, with family and friends and good food, it must have made them proud and happy. Cal wanted this. He wanted this with Margo.

As the meal wound down, Margo helped clear plates. Cal jumped up to assist.

“I know it’s a lot, but they’re good people,” Margo said.

“They are,” Cal said. “I’m happy to be here.”

She looked at him quizzically as she put a stack of dishes down on the counter. “Okay. I’m glad.”

“Seriously.” He kissed her, and she looked like she had been caught making out with her boyfriend behind the bleachers in high school. She glanced around to see who might have noticed, and of course everyone could have seen them as half the clan were clearing plates and the other half were sitting at the table drinking another glass of wine as the children ran in the backyard. The noise level was high. Josie and her brother Tommy were setting up the dessert table. Cal didn’t think he could eat another bite.

“Embarrassed to be seen with me?” he said in mock offense.

“No, but—”

So he kissed her again, this time holding her to him for a full ten seconds.

“You’re giving people something to talk about,” she grumbled.

“Good.”

Then she smiled slyly. “You know, Cal, payback is a bitch.”

“I can’t wait,” he said. “Your grandmother invited me to help her make stuffing and pies next year, so you’re kind of stuck with me.”

Did she look nervous? Scared? What if she didn’t feel for him what he felt for her?

Impossible, he thought. What wasn’t to love?

“You should make gelato too,” she said. “That’ll really impress my family.”

And that was when he knew she was falling for him just as hard.

Chapter Fifty-One