Chasing McCree by J.C. Isabella

Author:J.C. Isabella
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-04-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Briar

Dinner was an event I’d never forget. There were eight people in the massive dining room, dogs winding between chairs at the table, and two little boys in highchairs at either end. Millie presided over everyone, keeping peace with her wooden spoon. Jerry threw biscuits to whoever asked for one. I almost got hit in the face, but Chase caught it, glaring at his uncle. Jerry merely laughed and told me to work on my hand eye coordination. Afterwards everyone pitched in cleaning up, and then it was into the massive living room to lounge in front of a roaring fire. Holly, who was a nice, shy woman, went home early with Grant to put the kids to bed, leaving me and Chase with his aunt and uncle.

The living room was so rustic. Richly decorated with earthy tones and deep reds and blues and greens. There were handmade quilts on the backs of chairs and couches. Big skylights dotted the exposed wood ceiling. The antler chandelier was a little strange, but still beautiful. Even the gun rack on the wall was impressive. Ornately carved out of a cherry wood, the guns didn’t look new. They looked like antiques.

I could tell the McCree’s were wealthy, but they didn’t flaunt it. There wasn’t one expensive painting, or fancy art sculpture for viewing. Everything in the house seemed to have a purpose. And it smelled so wonderful. A little like pine, and a hint of cinnamon. There was a basket full of dog toys in the corner next to the fireplace, and a few bones littered the floor. Some had dogs attached to them, others had been abandoned in favor of pats and scratches from the humans in the room.

“My dear, you look a little dazed.” Millie smiled at me, kicking up her feet on an ottoman in front of her chair. “I hope this isn’t too much to take in.”

I shook my head, settling back into the deep plaid sofa. “I’m fine, just tired from the trip. And, well, I’ve never been to a family dinner like this one.”

Chase was sitting on the floor with a few of the dogs in front of the fireplace. He smiled at me. “Briar comes from a different kind of family. She’s not used to our antics.”

Mille nodded, seeming to understand. “I figured as much when we started throwing rolls. Never heard a “head’s up” at the dinner table.”

“No, my parents are,” I paused, trying to find a way to put it nicely. I couldn’t. “My grandmother calls them stuffed shirts.”

“And they really won’t miss you?” Jerry asked, taking a puff of his pipe. It was wooden, hand carved he’d said, by his great grandfather.

“No,” I wondered what I must look like to them. How many parents didn’t care where their kids were? I didn’t even say goodbye to them. I tried, but all I got was my mom’s voicemail and a pat on the head from my father. He told me to have a good time at camp…cheer camp.

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