Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79509 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79509 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“You’re welcome,” she said. “Your brother is like an old dog that can’t learn new tricks, but I won’t give up on him.”
“Thank you. You’re doing humankind a service.” I shut the door behind her.
“Happy Thanksgiving.” Tucker hugged Cleo tightly. “Please tell me Deacon didn’t make us fish stew or something.”
She chuckled. “No. A very traditional meal.” She hugged Pria next. “Hey, girl. How are you?”
That was everybody, so I walked away from the door. “Food is hot, so we should—”
The doorbell rang twice in a row.
I stilled and turned back around.
“Is anyone else coming?” Mom asked.
My heart gave a jolt in hope, but I knew it was stupid, unrealistic. It was probably a delivery or someone who got the wrong condo. I didn’t even bother checking the peephole before I opened it.
Valerie stood there with a bottle of wine, wearing an uneasy look, like she had no clue if this idea would blow up in her face.
Derek immediately ran into my legs. “Happy Thanksgiving, Dad!”
I was so surprised I hardly reacted, my hand instinctively moving to his hair with my eyes still on Valerie. “Happy Thanksgiving…”
He moved farther into the room, and the first person he went for was Cleo. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
She kneeled and wrapped her arms around him, embracing him with palpable love in her eyes. “Happy Thanksgiving, Derek.” She hugged him tightly and didn’t let go, her chin resting on his head.
I turned back to Valerie, unable to speak because this felt like a dream.
“Is it okay if we join you?” she whispered. “Changed my mind at the last minute…”
I was so thrilled to have Derek there, that her venom hadn’t lasted long, that I pulled her into my chest and hugged her. “You guys are always welcome here.” I squeezed her hard before I released her. “And thank you for…the wine.” I took it from her hands.
She gave me a slight smile before she stepped farther inside and looked at everyone.
Derek just finished greeting Tucker and my mother. “When do we eat pie?”
Cleo chuckled. “After dinner.”
“But it’s the holidays,” Derek said. “Can’t we do whatever we want?”
I walked to him and kneeled, wanting to give him a proper hug since I’d been too stunned to greet him before. I pulled him into my chest and buried my face in his thick hair. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Me too, Dad.”
I pulled back and rose to my feet.
Valerie walked right past Cleo, ignored her, and greeted Tucker and Pria.
Pria hugged her, but Tucker couldn’t bring himself to do it, so he shook her hand.
Valerie moved to my mother instead. “Hello, Mrs. Hamilton. Nice to see you again.”
I gave my mom a plea with my gaze, asking her to be civil, because being difficult would only affect my relationship with Derek.
She did as I asked and quickly covered the displeasure on her face with a smile. “It’s so lovely to see you, dear. You look lovely.”
“Thank you,” Valerie said. “You do too.”
Derek moved to the table and climbed onto his usual chair. “So, what kind of pie is there? Chocolate?”
Cleo came up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “We’ve got pumpkin and apple.”
He cringed. “I don’t like apple. But pumpkin is good.”
“Alright.” She headed into the kitchen. “After dinner.”
Valerie took the seat beside Derek.
Tucker sat at the head of the table with Pria on his right, my mom on his left.
I went into the kitchen and helped Cleo put all the food on the table.
“Wow, this looks amazing,” Mom said. “I’ve definitely retired from the holiday cooking.”
When everything was set, I sat at the other head of the table across from Tucker, and Cleo sat beside me, across from Derek.
Tucker examined everything. “Ooh, there will definitely be leftovers.”
“Should we say grace?” Mom asked. “Deacon?”
I wasn’t a religious person, but my mother was, so I just did as she asked. We all held hands, and I said a few words. “Heavenly father, thank you for the meal you’ve blessed us with, as well as bringing us all together…as a family. Amen.”
“Let’s go around and say what we’re thankful for.” We were finished with the meal, so we picked at the last few rolls even though we were stuffed, and Tucker, Cleo, and Derek had slices of pie with whipped cream on top. “I’ll go first,” my mom said. “I’m thankful that my family is together on this special day, and I’m thankful my sons have found two wonderful women to make this day even more special.”
Valerie kept her head down and picked at her roll.
Mom turned to her. “Let’s go clockwise.”
Valerie was quiet for a while, as if she didn’t know what to say. “I’m thankful for…everything.” That was all she said.
I turned to Derek. “What about you, little man?”
“This pie.” He talked with his mouth full.
I grabbed the napkin, wiped his face, and then pulled the fork out of his hand. “Don’t talk with your mouth full. Wipe your face with your napkin because it’s rude to have food on your face. And being thankful for pie is not an acceptable answer.” I didn’t care if it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, or his birthday, I expected him to always behave to a certain standard. Every time I got him back from Valerie, I had to start all over.