“Michelle…Micki…”
“Give it up, Mother. It’s not going to work this time. So what’s it going to be? Are we going to Calgary tomorrow or not?”
Caroline saw the determined set of her daughter’s jaw and the angry hurt in her eyes. She knew it was pointless to argue. “I’ll book the tickets,” she said.
“Did I tell you that Jerrod got us tickets for Dance with the Devil?” Rain said, casting her heavily blue-shadowed gaze around the table before bringing it to rest on Caroline.
“What’s that?” Caroline asked, sneaking a glance in the direction of her suite and then at her watch. She put down her fork and pushed away what was left of her lobster dinner, which was most of it. She’d been too nervous to eat. It was almost time to check on the kids.
“They were fine when I checked on them thirty minutes ago,” Hunter whispered under his breath, his lips barely moving. “They’re fine now. Finish your meal.”
“Dance with the Devil? It’s only the hottest show on Broadway,” Rain said, answering the question Caroline had already forgotten she’d asked. “It’s impossible to get tickets, especially on Thanksgiving weekend. But Superman here managed to do it.” She threw a proprietary arm across her husband’s shoulders, causing her breasts to all but leap out of her dress.
“So you’ll be spending Thanksgiving in New York,” Becky said. “Lucky you.”
Rain flashed her best veneer-enhanced smile. “What are you guys up to?”
“My mother always has Thanksgiving dinner at her place,” Steve said.
“You can just imagine how much I’m looking forward to that,” Becky said.
Steve glared at his wife. “Let’s not start.”
“Stop looking at your watch,” Hunter told Caroline.
“You know what my darling mother-in-law said to me last Thanksgiving?” Becky said, continuing without waiting for a response. “She’d just been to a funeral and I made the mistake of asking how it had gone, and she said, and this is a direct quote: ‘It was a lovely affair. Her daughter selected a beautiful coffin. Much nicer than the one you had for your mother.’?”
There was a collective gasp from around the table.
Although not from Caroline, who was used to such remarks.
“I assure you she said no such thing,” Steve protested.
“That’s exactly what she said.”
“You’re exaggerating. As usual.”
“And you’re defending her. As usual.”
“So, what are we all thankful for?” Peggy interrupted, a forced chirp in her voice. “Come on. Three things, not including health, family, or friends. We’ll just assume you’re thankful for those.”
“Never assume,” said Becky.
“Oh, this is fun,” Rain said, clapping her hands. “Can I start?”
Peggy opened the palms of her hands, indicating that Rain had the floor.
“Well, first, obviously, I’m thankful we’ll be spending Thanksgiving in New York and not at some horrid family function, no offense intended.” Her smile drifted from Becky to Steve before ultimately landing on Caroline. “Second, I’m thankful for the new necklace Jerrod bought me.” She patted the impressive diamond sparkler at her throat. “And third, I’m thankful gray hair doesn’t run in my family. Your turn,” she said to Caroline.
Caroline struggled to keep her hands away from her head. She’d never noticed any gray hairs, but then, she really hadn’t been paying close attention. “I’m thankful for this past week,” she said, nodding toward her husband. “I’m thankful to be celebrating ten years of relative wedded bliss,” she continued, recalling her brother’s words.
“What do you mean, relative?” Hunter asked, a mock frown on his lips.
“I’ll drink to relative,” Jerrod said, raising his glass of champagne as the others followed suit, stretching their glasses toward one another in a congratulatory toast.
“Careful,” Rain warned. “You can’t cross hands or it’s bad luck.”
“Really? I’ve never heard that,” Becky said.
“Go on,” Peggy instructed Caroline. “One more thing you’re thankful for.”
Caroline tried to come up with a third reason to be grateful other than family, health, and friends. Surely she could think of something. “I’m thankful for the ocean,” she said finally, glancing in its general direction.
“Seriously?” Rain asked.
“I’m thankful the San Diego real estate market is so strong,” Steve said, not waiting to be asked. “I’m thankful I was able to persuade Hunter to let us join you here in beautiful Rosarito to help you celebrate.” He glanced pointedly across the table at his wife. “I’m especially thankful that my mother is such a great cook.”
“You’re so full of shit,” Becky said.
“Is our mother not a great cook?” Steve asked Caroline.
“Our mother is indeed a great cook,” Caroline agreed. “And you are also full of shit.”