A Sinful Calling by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Author:Kimberla Lawson Roby
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2016-06-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Alicia hugged Levi from behind, and he turned his head around so she could kiss him. The Fourth of July had finally arrived, and they were standing in front of the grill in his mom’s backyard. Levi had been working on the meat since early this morning, and there were only a few small items left to cook. The ribs and chicken were done and already simmering in the oven with barbecue sauce slathered over them, and once Levi finished the burgers and bratwursts, they’d be able to eat. Alicia’s mother-in-law was in the house finishing up her last couple of side dishes, and some of Levi’s family members sat patiently on the deck. They were a little on the loud side, but they were definitely already having fun. Uncle Buck, Levi’s mom’s older brother, was a seventy-five-year-old jokester and the life of the party. Aunt Tilly, his wife, still wore high heels even to family cookouts and joked just as much as he did. Their youngest two children, Kane and Kawana, who were boy and girl twins who Uncle Buck and Aunt Tilly had conceived when they were in their forties, were as nice as could be as long as you didn’t cross them. Otherwise another side of their personalities showed up, and if you disrespected one twin, they made it known that you’d automatically disrespected both of them. They also each had one gold tooth in the top front row of their mouths…just like Uncle Buck and Aunt Tilly. They were all good people, though, and they loved Alicia. She, of course, loved them, too.

Melanie and her dad walked from the kitchen through the patio doors. Alicia had thought she’d heard her mother-in-law speaking to someone, but she hadn’t been sure.

Alicia smiled and walked up on the deck. “Hey, Mel,” she said, hugging her.

“Hey, hey.”

“I’m so glad you came, Mr. Johnson,” Alicia said, embracing him. “How are you?”

“I’m doing well, and I’ve lost a little weight, too,” he said, laughing.

Alicia chuckled. “I see, and good for you.”

Mr. Johnson had been overweight for a while, but after having a heart attack and then surgery, he’d finally made the decision to go on a diet. He’d been losing a little here and there the whole time, and it showed. This was all after separating from Melanie’s mom and divorcing her, and he seemed so much happier.

“Thank you, my dear, for having us,” he said.

“You’re quite welcome. We’re glad you could make it.”

Alicia turned toward one of the patio tables. “Let me introduce you to some of Levi’s family members, and then you can have a seat. Uncle Buck, Aunt Tilly, Kane, and Kawana, this is my best friend, Melanie, and her dad, Mr. Johnson.”

“Nice to meet all of you,” Mr. Johnson said. “And you all can just call me Andrew.”

“Yes, very nice to meet you,” Melanie added.

Uncle Buck smiled. “It’s great meetin’ you two also, and we’re glad you came.”

“Why don’t you two sit down here at our table,” Aunt Tilly said.

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