The wheels of her car rolled onto Martin Avenue, and she felt her lips turning upwards at the corners. She counted down the minutes until she would be out of the vehicle. Her day had been filled with impatience, and her commute seemed like it would never end. Every restless sigh, each annoying tap of a pen against a book, and the idiot that cut her off on the freeway were out of her mind as she turned down the driveway that ran alongside the traditional two-story home. She parked the bright red Mustang in the garage. "Thank God," Katherine breathed out, opening the door and sighing contentedly. She threw her purse over her shoulder, walking to the side entrance and frowning upon discovering the door was locked. With a huff and toss of her chestnut mane, she walked to the front, cutting across the grass and onto the brick path to the front door.
She stepped into the foyer and cocked a brow as soft jazz drifted to her ears. She'd expected to hear laughter or bickering. "Anybody home?" Katherine called out, kicking out of her boots and slipping off her jacket. She put her purse on the console table and dropped her car keys into the swirled glass bowl, hearing the sound of footsteps rushing to welcome her.
"Katherine," Ruth greeted her, appearing from the living room and wrapping her arms around her. "I didn't think you'd be early," she divulged against her hair, letting go of her daughter-in-law. "Jeff said four or later."
"Two attended my last class, so I let them go and bolted," the brunette replied with a sly grin as she yanked off her socks. She put her shoes and jacket away in the closet. "Why's it so quiet? Where is everybody?" she asked, following behind her mother-in-law.
"Greg and Daryl aren't coming until tomorrow. Lindsey and Stevie got in last night. Stevie didn't sleep well, so she's napping upstairs. Skylar is asleep under the dining room table," she informed. Nothing made Ruth happier than having all her family under the same roof. She planned on thoroughly spoiling her grandchildren and soaking up all the time she could with her sons.
"Where's Jeff?"
"I sent him and Lindsey to the grocery store."
Katherine snickered. She wondered how they'd managed to receive that punishment. Jeff abhorred every aspect of grocery shopping – the lists, the coupons, the lines, and the risk of a dent in his vehicle from a wayward cart. She safely assumed that Lindsey didn't find himself in a grocery store often. He was probably a lost cause as he miserably shuffled down aisles. She stepped into the dining room and crouched down, peeking under the table. She grinned at a sleeping Skylar, her arm securely tucked around the Irish Setter's neck. With a snap of her fingers, she commanded Flynn to stay and drifted into the kitchen.
"I can put on a pot or a kettle," Ruth offered.
"I need wine."
"You know where it is," her mother-in-law said with a wave of her hand, sitting down at the table. She watched Katherine take a tumbler from the cabinet and open a bottle of Chardonnay. "Are you still enjoying your work?"
"I am. I realize it's my first fall there, but it's been rough and busy," she paused and filled the glass, bringing it to her lips and taking a long, grateful sip. Katherine noticed the blonde lingering in the doorway and turned her head as she plastered an enthusiastic smile on her face. "Oh my God! Tee!" she squealed and met her sister for a hug. Kat pulled back, holding Stevie at arm's length as she looked her up and down. "Look at that belly!" She beamed and placed her hand over the swell.
"I know," Stevie giggled lightly. "I'm a walking belly."
"You look amazing. Pregnancy suits you," she told her earnestly and held her hand, squeezing gently. "Let's go to the sunroom," she suggested, knowing the furniture would be more comfortable for her sister. Katherine snagged her glass from the counter, looping her arm around Stevie and trailing through the dining room. "Sky's asleep under the table with Flynn."
