As he helped Lorrie into her coat, he inhaled deeply. “Woman, dinner smells fantastic.”
“Well, the beans have to cook just a little while longer, or I’d offer you some now.”
“I’m sure I can wait.” He hoped he could wait. Hell, with Jared’s flight still delayed, he hoped they made it home in time for dinner.
♂♀♂
Kylie
“You look like hell, boy,” Curtis told Sawyer when he joined them at Moonshiners a little after one in the afternoon.
Kylie was kind of thinking the same thing. If she wasn’t mistaken, Sawyer was still wearing the same clothes he had on the night before. And the sunglasses that he sported in the dark bar didn’t conceal much.
“Thanks, Pa,” Sawyer groaned as he made his way toward the back.
Kylie sat on the stool between V and Gage, the three of them watching Brendon and Travis play pool. They’d been there for the better part of the afternoon, just hanging out. At noon, Brendon had called to remind them that they were all supposed to meet at the bar. Little did Kylie know until then that this was another one of the many Walker family traditions.
According to Travis, everyone, including Lorrie, would come to the bar on New Year’s Day for a couple of hours just to spend time together. Travis had explained how Lorrie liked the idea of being able to spend time with her boys on the first day of the year and Travis said they had never argued with her logic.
So, they were just passing the time until they would all head back to Travis’ parents’ house for dinner. The menu tonight: cornbread, black-eyed peas, and brisket. Kylie still couldn’t believe just how much Lorrie liked to cook. But then again, with seven boys, it probably came natural for her.
Travis came over to the table to stand at her side when it was Brendon’s turn and he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her back against his chest. She leaned her head back, looking way up as he leaned forward and gave her a quick upside down kiss. Sitting back up, she smiled at Gage, resting her hand on his thigh.
The holidays were almost officially over, and the last few weeks had produced some of the most wonderful memories for her. Having been welcomed into such a loving family was more than she could’ve imagined and having the pleasure of spending so much time with them was something she knew she’d look forward to for years to come.
Her free hand moved to rest on her belly as though it had a mind of its own. As another thought took root, Kylie smiled again. Maybe this time next year, they’d be celebrating more than just the holidays.
♀♂
Lorrie
Lorrie had to admit that she didn’t spend much time at Moonshiners, but every year, on New Year’s Day, the boys would invite her and Curtis to join them, and since the very first invitation, she had never said no.
And just like every other time, she was enjoying herself immensely, completely consumed by the welcoming atmosphere, the love that rolled off of her boys and the people that loved them. The gift of her family was truly the only thing in the world she needed. A blessing that she thanked God for every single day.
“Have I mentioned how pretty you look today?” Curtis’ deep voice rumbled in her ear, and Lorrie turned to face her husband.
“Hmm, I’m not sure you have,” she teased.
“Well, you’re the prettiest woman in the room.”
It was amazing that after so many years together, this man could still make her blush. Planting her hands flat on his chest, she pushed up on her toes as he leaned over. She pressed a kiss against his lips and smiled. “I love you,” she whispered.
“And I love you,” he replied. “What are you over here thinking about?”
“Oh, anything and everything.” Turning in the circle of his arms, Lorrie’s eyes darted around the room, looking for every one of her boys.
She found Kaleb first. He was sitting at a table with his beautiful pregnant wife perched on his knee. They weren’t joined by anyone else, but the extra chair at the table wasn’t needed. With those two, they were rarely separated. Considering they had spent the majority of their lives as friends, it only made sense that they would transition into a marriage with a sturdy foundation of deep love and respect for one another. Soon, they were going to be parents and Lorrie was going to receive the honor of being a grandmother, something she’d been waiting on for as long as she could remember.
Not far away from them, Sawyer was standing stoically against the wall. But even with the sunglasses shielding his eyes, she noticed he was staring forlornly in one specific direction. Lorrie didn’t have to guess who he was looking at. The same woman he’d had eyes on for more years than Lorrie could count. Not that he would admit it. He was her fun-loving boy, but she suspected his wild and crazy days might be soon coming to an end. She knew he’d always be the wildest of the bunch, but Lorrie had a feeling that, with the New Year, there were going to be some changes in Sawyer’s life. As a mom, she just had a feeling.