Lassoing Love

Dinner

Chapter 4

Ten minutes has gone by since I fought with Billy. We're both mellowed down now and I'm making good use of the time by unpacking some of my things.

I fold my clothes neatly and manage to fit most of them in the second and third drawers I was given. The rest of the clothes are more suited for winter and so I store them in a suitcase and shove it under my bunk bed.

Then I drag my second suitcase over to the bed and unzip it. I can't help but smile as I see all of my books. I open the top drawer I was given and start organizing my books in it.

Billy, who was sitting on her sister's bed watching me, stands up and walks over. "Why do you have so many books?"

I don't look at her, but continue organizing. I can't decide if I want to alphabetize them or organize by genre. "Because I like to read," I answer without looking at her.

"Sounds like a waste of time to me."

I clench my teeth and act like she didn't just say that. Reading is the one thing that gets me through life. When life is crappy and I feel like I can't do it anymore, I open a book and escape into its world. Then, when the book is over, I start another.

Instead of giving her an hour long speech about how important books are, I simply say, "You're entitled to your own opinion." It's a mature answer and I'm pleased with myself.

Billy lets out a sigh, as if she were hoping I would have exploded again. I frown and try to imagine why she would want to get on my nerves.

There's just something about her that I can't quite figure out. Does she always act hostile towards strangers, or is it just me?

My thoughts are cut off by a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Billy shouts.

Sarah peeks her head in. "Dinner's ready." She glances at me and smiles. "Are you getting settled in?"

I nod my head and follow Billy and Hatley out the door. They run down the stairs in a hurry, racing each other. I take my time, still not sure if I can trust the creaking stairs.

Sarah follows closely behind me as I enter the dining area. Already, George is seated in one of the chairs at the end of the table, closest to the back of the room. Next to him sits Billy, then Hatley.

Sarah squeezes passed me and sits in the empty chair on the right of George.

I debate whether or not I should stand and wait to be told where to sit. There are two empty chairs left, the one on the very end of the table--opposite of George--and one next to Sarah and across from Hatley.

Two seconds later, a woman with a slightly hunched stature, white short hair, and a soft face with a few wrinkles, walks in. She notices me and her dark blue eyes look me over harshly.

Her eyes meet mine--or should I say pierce mine. She seems to be staring into my soul. I can't look away from her gaze, I can't shake her. It seems like minutes go by, but I know it is only seconds. For some odd reason, I've been holding my breath.

Finally she releases her hold on me and smiles. I feel like I can breathe again. "It's nice to finally meet you." Her voice sounds only slightly aged, and there seems to be wisdom in every word she speaks. There is also authority behind her voice, suggesting she still has a large role in this family.

Not knowing what else to do, I smile a little. I'm sure she wasn't happy about my mother running off to Chicago with Luke, leaving this town and life behind her. And I'm sure this woman had cried her share of tears over my mother's death.

It's weird, standing in front of my grandmother for the first time. Luke's parents have been dead for a while now, so the role of the 'grandparents' has always been empty in my life. I could never really picture what my grandma would look like.

The media always seemed to portray the elderly as nice, loving grandparents that give their grandchildren candy every time they visit. This woman certainly did not look like she would be giving me any candy any time soon.

"Well don't just stand there, Kid. Take a seat." It was Grits who was talking.

I blink my eyes and then take the chair next to Sarah. Grits takes the end chair. This doesn't surprise me. I always associated the two end chairs of the table with people of power and control. Naturally George would take one of those two chairs, but I would have thought Sarah would have taken the other.

For the first time since I entered the room, I finally notice the food on the table. In the middle of the table is a big plate of fried chicken. On the other side is a bowl full of mashed potatoes and then there's another bowl with green beans.

I can't even remember the last time I've had a good, home-cooked meal like this. My mouth waters a little and I can't wait to start eating. My stomach has been grumbling since we left the airport.

My stomach wants me to reach across the table and grab all the food I can, but I resist and wait for someone else to start putting food on their plate. Nobody does...

I wait and look around at everyone.

"Whose turn is it?" Sarah asks.

I frown and wonder what she's talking about. Who's turn for what?

"Maybe we should start over," George suggests.

Sarah nods. "I'll start."

As if on cue, everyone starts joining hands. I swallow fear.

Sarah looks at me expectantly. Her hand is on the table, open, as if I'm supposed to fill the emptiness with my own hand.

I eye her hand with weariness. I don't know these people.

There is sympathy on Sarah's face as she realizes I have no idea what's going on.

"We say prayer before every meal," she informs me.

"Oh," I say automatically. So they're a religious family. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Most Christian families are friendly and trustworthy, so I guess it's kind of reassuring. Still, I've never attended a church service a day in my life. Luke most certainly was not religious.

Of course, I know the basics about God, but nothing much. I wasn't even sure I believed in Him. For me, He was kind of like Santa Claus. I believed in Him when I was a kid, but then reality struck and I realized that it's too good to be true. There can't really be someone out there that loves me. I'm all alone.

Still, I didn't want to offend this family. I take Sarah's hand and then take Grits. Grits hand is a little soft, but her grip is strong.

"Lord, we thank you for the wonderful weather you've given us. We thank you for the wonderful meal you've provided for us, and most of all, we thank you for the newest member of our family, Jordan. We pray that you will make her feel comfortable and happy here. That one day she will be able to look at us and call us her family. Again, we thank you for all that you've given us. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen."

Everyone mutters, "Amen."

Grits releases my hand, but Sarah holds on. I look at her and she looks me in the eyes for a few seconds. It's as if she's telling me that she truly meant everything she said, that she hopes I will call her, "Mom," one day.

I just look down and avoid her gaze. She releases my hand.

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Author's Note:

So I hope everyone is enjoying the book so far!   :)

I just wanted to thank everyone in the Romance club who helped me think of names for my characters and for the title of the book. Special thanks to @wolflover4 for thinking of the title, Lassoing Love. I love it! 

Okay, well that's it from me. Hope you all keep reading, and may God bless all of you! <3