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just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
    I’m pouting now. The kind I’ve practiced many times throughout my life. First, to get what I wanted from Dad, and later, from boys I’ve dated. I like to think I’ve mastered it.
    “Listen lady, I’m sure that look works on these little Missouri boys, but growing up in Florida a man learns better than to trust a woman with a good puppy-dog face.” He gets up and nudges me just a little with his hip as he slips past me and out the door. “Now, what’s for dinner?” he asks without turning back.
    “I’ll have you know this look has been proven to work everywhere! I’m international, baby!” He’s through the back door of the house before I even finish my sentence.

    Mom scoops up the plates as Caleb slinks back up to his room. Although he only pecked at his food, the rest of us did the exact opposite, filling ourselves to Thanksgiving Day levels. Mom scurries past me and slides a hand across my shoulders, giving me the wide-eyed ‘I’m going to say something and you’re going to go with it’ look.
    “So Paige, with the wine festival next weekend, I was thinking maybe it’d be a good time for Xander get out and about and get to know some other people in town.”
    “Mom, he’s still getting settled in. I’m sure he’d like to take some time getting used to us before being bombarded by the whole town.” Mom takes a seat again, smiling.
    “What makes you think he’ll be bombarded? We aren’t a town of flesh-eating zombies, dear. If he’s going to be staying through the summer, he’s going to want to meet some other people besides us.”
    “Mom, why are you talking about him like he’s not here?”
    “You started it!” She pokes her tongue out at me and then turns her attention back to Xander.
    “So, Xander, what do you think?” Without letting him respond, she begins her sales pitch. “I don’t know if you know this or not, but this part of Missouri has a lot of really good wineries. They’re all across the state. Not that I’m biased or anything, but my husband’s pinot noir is the best. It’s been voted number one in the state, six years running. And that’s out of about twenty-five!”
    Dad smiles appreciatively at her. He reaches a hand over and caresses the back of her neck.
    “I think the festival sounds pretty good. I like a good pinot noir,” Xander says.
    Our faces say it all.
    “What? I swear I do. I’ve grown to appreciate wine in my old age.”
    Dad laughs as he gets up. He pats a heavy hand against Xander’s shoulder.
    “You’ve got a long way to go, kid.”
    Xander’s eyes follow Dad as he grabs more beer from the fridge. There’s a mischievous smile on his face. “Shit, what are you pushing, seventy? Seventy-five? I guess I do have some catching up to do.”
    Dad crows, having trouble placing the four beers in front of us. “You better watch it! Remember who’s signing your paychecks.”
    “Jack Michael, language!” Mom says sharply, though a smile is tugging at the corners of her lips.
    Dad motions his beer toward Xander. “He started it.”
    My Chewbacca text alert brings a wide smile and approving nod from Xander.
    Brandi: Hey bitch, I kno ur off. Visit meeeee!
    “Oh shit, I’ve actually gotta pass on another beer, Dad. I told Brandi I’d go up to Whittaker’s after I got off. She’ll be a baby if I don’t go for at least a few.”
    “Perfect. Why don’t you take Xander with you, then?” Mom asks. “But if you two have more than a few, you call me!”
    She gives me the motherly finger wag, but she knows me better than that. I would never drink and drive. I lost an uncle on my dad’s side to a drunk driver a few years back. It really messed the family up. Since then, it’s not even a question.
    “That’s if Xander wants to go,” Mom adds.
    “Yeah, I’m up for it.” His eyes meet mine. “You driving or am I?”
    “I got it,” I say, sliding from the table. I smile to myself at the