Chapter 14 First Dinner Part 2
1160 Words
LILA'S POV
"Honey, do you see this? So your son can be nice to women," said Sam in a joking tone.
"Oh hush up. Of course, my son is. I raised him to be," said an older woman walking into the room with a plate of food. She glanced at me and gave me a warm smile.
I couldn't believe my eyes despite being Sonia's grandmother. She looked young. If it wasn't for the grey streaks in her hair, I would have assumed she was 40.
She had her brown with grey streaked hair up in a tidy bun with perfectly styled bangs framing her small face. She was about 5'4 in height and a petite figure that looked like she was still working out.
Just looking at the couple joking with each other, I could tell they were good parents who made a lot of happy memories for their kids.
Although it made me a little sad that I didn't get to have that, I was also happy to know Sonia grew up loved no wonder she was so confident.
"Hello Lila and Jax, I'm Mabel. Feel free to call me Grandma Mabel or just Mabel is okay!" she said cheerfully.
I smiled back at her and said, "Thank you, Mabel, I hope we won't be a bother..." Before I could even finish my sentence, Mabel was hushing me while smiling.
"Now it's no bother. You're special to Sonia and that means you're special to us. So now just look at us as family and be comfortable," she said warmly, passing me a plate of food.
I gently nodded and took the plate. I placed the plate in front of Jax when I noticed he was looking around the room. I whispered to him, "What are you looking for?" He glanced up at me and said, "I'm looking for my friends. They said we would eat together later."
Mabel laughed and walked over to pat his head. "Don't worry, they should be here very soon," she said.
Just as she said that, I could hear the front door swing open and children running through the living room.
"Move, I want to sit next to Jax," one small voice said shouting.
"No, I'm sitting next to him first," shouted another.
Isabelle walked into the dining room first, she let out a sigh and said, "They've been like that the whole way over here." I couldn't help but laugh and Jax was practically bouncing off his seat.
Isabelle walked over and sat next to Cain, looking surprised. She nudged him with her elbow and said mockingly, "Well, look, who finally has time to eat?"
Cain let out a cough before saying, "I can't be impolite to a guest." He glanced at me for a brief moment and looked shocked for a moment before looking back at Isabelle. I wonder what he saw on my face to make him look shocked.
I touched my face subconsciously, wondering what kind of face I was making for him to look like. I mean I felt a tiny bit sad when he said guest, but that's what I was a guest and nothing more.
"Uh Isabelle, isn't your husband coming too?" I asked, trying to sound cheerful.
"He was, but he suddenly had to pull a double so you won't be able to meet him until tomorrow," she said while grabbing a plate of food.
After everyone got settled and the kids came to an agreement on who would sit next to Jax, this time we finally got to start eating.
Even though it had only been a few days since I had a home-cooked meal, it felt like years. Jax, too, couldn't hold his excitement and shouted, "Mommy, this is so good. I hope we can eat more food from Grandma Mabel."
Before I could say anything, Mabel chimed in, "Of course you can. Just let me know whenever you want something Grandma will be happy to make it."
I had to grip my fork tightly to keep myself from crying hearing how warm and sincere she was. Everyone was having a good time. I couldn't ruin that with my tears.
While trying to compose myself, I started to feel those tiny sparks on my hand again as I glanced up and there he was again. Cain wasn't looking at me, but his finger was rubbing a circle on the back of my hand.
He looked so intrigued by their conversation I was surprised he knew I was feeling down. Had he been watching me or is it something he just does subconsciously?
Whatever it was, I couldn't bring myself to pull my hand away. I wanted to keep feeling those tiny sparks erupt on my skin.
"By the way, Lila, I'm assuming you need help to find a job, right? How about on the farm?" asked Sam.
My eyes shot to Sam's face, a little flustered at the sudden question.
"Uh yes, if you're willing to have me, I would love to help. I've never worked with animals before, but I'm hardworking," I said shyly.
Sam chuckled and took a sip of his drink before saying, "No problem, I'll teach you everything you need to know, and before you know it you'll be able to run your own farm."
I smiled at him and said excitedly, "I can't wait to learn from the best farmer in town himself,"
"You see Mabel, I like her. She knows a good farmer when she sees one," he said smugly. I could see Mabel roll her eyes at him playfully before putting more food on his plate.
"Are you a good farmer or a good eater? I think it's the ladder," she said jokingly.
Everyone laughed at that, and I couldn't help but wish this moment would just freeze right this second. Where everything was nothing but jokes and smiles from all these kind people.
I couldn't wait for Sonia to come and see her family again.
"Actually, I think it would be better if she worked as my secretary down at the station," Cain said while cutting the meat on his plate.
Everyone went quiet and looked at Cain.
Probably wondering the same thing as me: "Why would he want a stranger working for him?
"Um, Cain, it's okay. I don't know anything about working for the police. I think it would be okay if I just worked on the farm helping out," I said, looking at him.
He looked up at me and smiled this breathtaking smile and said, "It's okay, I'll teach you everything you need to know... We can go tomorrow to get the paperwork started. I'll be waiting for you at 9am in front of the house."
There was something about how he said that first part that made my core throb. I would be lying if I wasn't excited, but I was also worried about what would happen working with him.
- Writer
