moment, she didn’t have to, and it was a tremendously freeing
feeling. Ashton walked right past her and set the huge platter
of burgers on the table.
“Food’s up!” he called.
It might not have been the wolves’ den Dallas feared, but
there was a stampede to the table. All the seats around the big
oval wooden table were quickly taken, including the folding
chairs. Billy came in wearing his hat. He didn’t really have a
smile for Dallas, but he didn’t pretend to stare right through
her either. He nodded in her direction.
Katrina came in and once everyone was seated around the
table she’d already set, and helping themselves, she shooed
Quinn and Dallas towards the table.
Dallas was relieved that there were two chairs together,
side by side, left open for them. Sitting beside Quinn made her
feel both nervous and reassured. It wasn’t a strange paradox.
She was feeling lots of different emotions at the moment. It
was hard to not feel like she’d just time-travelled back ten
years and everyone just looked a shade or two older. She’d
been to Danica’s birthdays, and Billy’s birthdays, so many
times. She’d been to the Smyth household for Christmas,
Easter, Thanksgiving, and just regular family dinners.
Willford’s presence was notably missing at the dinner table
and that obviously wasn’t far from anyone’s mind, but Dallas
could tell that Quinn’s parents were making an effort to be
cheerful for Danica. Birthdays were important in the Smyth
household. Really important.
“Jeez, Daf, you’f outdone yourshelf,” Billy said, chewing
loudly. That hadn’t changed. Billy always talked with his
mouth full.