Chapter 19

In the night of the dinner party, Sinclair helped Nikki cook. She didn't know half of what her stepmother was making, having been put to work chopping, pureeing, and being the general kitchen slave. Nikki knew how her discussion with Lydia had gone two days before and had spent that time trying to distract her since Hunter was off somewhere earning her computer scientist's salary.

Victor was quiet that evening, sitting behind his newspaper or overseeing Xavier's homework. Before Hunter was due to arrive he went to water the plants in the yard.

"Is Papa OK?" Sinclair looked up from setting the dinner table. They had expanded the table to its full width and unearthed one of the two extra chairs that went with it.

"He's fine," Nikki said as she wiped down the kitchen counter with a wet rag. "I think he talked to Lydia, though. She might have told him that she was mad at you but not why. It's not like she ever let him know that she and Hunter were girlfriend and girlfriend."

"True. But he acknowledged them as a couple. Remember how he asked about Hunter at the cookout?"

Nikki slid a fresh jug of carrot juice in the fridge. "You worry too much. Everything will be fine."

Hunter came at seven on the dot, dressed in her best jeans and a button-down linen shirt. She brought wine for the grown-ups and ginger biscuits for Xavier. Sinclair greeted her at the door.

"Hey. Right on time."

"I didn't dare be late today." She kissed Sinclair lightly on the mouth. "How is everything going?"

"Good, I think. Lydia may have talked to Papa and badmouthed me but I'm not entirely sure."

"Nothing to be done about that. We're here to eat and be social and be happy."

Sinclair led her into the living room, holding her hand and the bottle of wine. Xavier looked up from his toys as the women walked in.

"Hunter!"

"Hey, big boy. What are you doing?"

"Waiting for dinner. Mama says we can't eat until you come."

"I'm here." Hunter grinned.

Xavier smiled back and hopped up from his mess of toys scattered in front of the television. "Food!" He raced into the kitchen ahead of the women.

"I think somebody is hungry," Hunter said.

Victor walked into the kitchen at the same time that they did. The already small room suddenly felt very tiny.

"Hunter." He inclined his head toward the dinner guest. "How are you?"

"Fine, Mr. Daniels. No complaints."

"Good, good." He washed his hands under the kitchen tap and sat down at the table. "Sit beside me, Xavier."

Everyone sat at the table and said grace over what Sinclair finally identified as stew peas and rice with sweet corn fritters and a bit of steamed cabbage on the side for health. Xavier wasn't the only one pleased at what Nikki turned out. They attacked their food at once, immediately making low sounds of appreciation and praises to the cook.

"Fabulous, as usual, Nikki," Sinclair said, lifting a forkful of stew and rice.

"As usual? I was hoping for out of this world since Hunter was our guest tonight."

Hunter smiled at the smaller woman. "Trust me when I say this is a stellar meal, Nikki. I haven't had it this good in a long, long time."

"Thank you." Nikki swept a pleased glance around the table, her cheeks blooming with subtle color.

Not to be outdone, Xavier raised his empty fork in the air. "This is the best stew peas ever."

"Thanks, sweetheart." She lightly touched the back of his neck.

Victor picked up a corn fritter. "So, Hunter. Nikki tells me that you and Lydia are no longer ... friends."

Sinclair almost choked on her carrot juice. She turned to Hunter as her lover slowly put down her fork.

"That's not necessarily true," she said. "Lydia and I are still friends. Or at least we were until a few days ago. We just don't have the same relationship that we used to."

"The kind of relationship you used to have with Lydia, that's what you now have with Sinclair?"

"No. Sinclair and I have something better."

Victor nodded and bit into his fritter. "Is Lydia OK with that?"

"I don't think so, but she and I ended our involvement before Sinclair and I got together so there shouldn't be any hard feelings on her part."

Victor glanced at Sinclair then back again at Hunter. "You're very honest. I like that."

Nikki cleared her throat. "How is Della doing these days, Hunter? I haven't seen her in forever."

"She's doing all right. Things have been real busy at the shop ever since you told the Breckenridges about her work. She can't make those goddess pots fast enough."

"That's good, then. But I still miss her."

"Why don't you run by the shop and see her one of these days? I'm sure she would be glad to see you."

"I just might do that."

"Good."

Nikki kept sneaking peaks at Hunter as if reevaluating a former opinion, watching how she ate and responded to the not-so-subtle inquiries Victor threw her way. Despite the succulent flavor of Nikki's meal, Sinclair was too nervous to eat. She picked at her plate, tasting the tender bits of pork-infused red beans and the thick red-tinged sauce that perfectly complemented the white rice. It wasn't like she was going to marry the woman. Still her appetite remained sparse and her hands were cold with nerves.

"My dinner not good enough for you, Sinclair?" Nikki teased. Sinclair glared at her stepmother. Nikki knew damn well why she couldn't eat.

"Stop teasing, Nikki. You know that the food is good. I'm just not really hungry right now."

Four pairs of eyes looked at her as if she'd just flown over the moon in her underwear. Her father patted her hand and smiled.

Sinclair kept quiet. After the main meal they moved to the living room for dessert. Xavier quickly went through half the bag of cookies that Hunter brought him. It wasn't long before Nikki put him to bed, tucking him into her and Victor's bedroom until later on when she could move him. Victor brought out the cards and they sat down around the coffee table to play gin. Hunter was an aggressive player, unforgiving of Sinclair's inexperience and Nikki's niceness. She and Victor played in deadly earnest until, unexpectedly, Sinclair's father stood up to get drinks for the women-bottles of Guinness for himself, Sinclair, and Hunter, and carrot juice for Nikki. He and Hunter boasted loudly about who was the better player, slapping down cards amid laughter and chortles of amusement from the other women. They didn't talk again of serious matters, of Lydia or the relationship, or the fact that Sinclair was leaving in less than three weeks.

Later in the night, Hunter and Nikki teamed up against the other two in bid whist, becoming a true team of trash talkers while Victor and Sinclair beat them soundly at every game, laughing quietly to themselves even as their lovers grew louder in their defeat.

At three in the morning, they reluctantly packed up the cards and Hunter gathered her things to go. Sinclair walked her out to the night-blanketed verandah and, away from the curious eyes of her parents, gently kissed her. "Thank you."

"You're making me work hard for this, aren't you?" Hunter growled into Sinclair's throat.

"You didn't have to come tonight."

"Like hell I didn't."

Sinclair laughed. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Why wouldn't you?"

"Smart-ass."

"Better that than a dumb-ass." Hunter nuzzled her throat again. "Come to the house after dinner. Spend the night with me."

"Maybe."

Hunter laughed and pulled away. "Tomorrow." She walked backward down the short steps leading from the verandah to the gravel footpath.

Sinclair blew her a kiss and watched her walk out to her Jeep. She didn't go back inside until long after Hunter had driven away.