Page 87

The sound of her laughter is the best thing I’ve heard all day. She bounces around and throws her arms around my neck, her little face in my ear.

“I love you, Daddy.”

It’s the sweetest whisper, and my heart melts completely in her hand.

27

Noel

Mrs. Jenny’s Thanksgiving table is a glorious sight. An enormous turkey is in the center surrounded by bowls of mashed potatoes, stuffing, dressing, fresh cranberries, sweet potatoes, green-bean casserole, glasses of red wine…

And a plate with a tin-can imprinted pillar of cranberry sauce.

“So gross,” I mutter under my breath.

“Don’t hate!” Mindy cries. “I have to have my Ocean’s Spray or it’s not Thanksgiving.”

I shake my head and look around at my family. Mrs. Jenny is at one end with Sawyer at the other. Mindy’s daddy passed away years ago, so my oldest brother took his place at the head of the table.

To Sawyer’s right is Leon and next to Leon is Deacon with Mindy beside him. Taron is across from Mindy and Dove sits between us, ending with me beside Sawyer.

We all join hands and Sawyer says a brief prayer, then the table erupts into the happy noise of everyone passing plates and forks hitting china. Mrs. Jenny pre-cut the turkey in the kitchen before bringing it out, and this year she skips the retelling of how she put Sawyer on the spot that first year by asking him to cut it.

She probably doesn’t want to embarrass him in front of his Marine buddy. She’s come around some as Taron showers Dove with affection. Watching him with his daughter is enough to bring anybody around.

Dove has been stuck to him like glue ever since Ms. Moody’s big reveal, and she seems to find any chance to call him at the top of her lungs.

“Daddy! There are pecans mixed in those little cabbages!”

“They’re brussels sprouts.” Taron’s voice is low and so calm. “Want to try one?”

Her nose wrinkles. “Nuh uh!” Then she points again. “There are marshmallows on top of the sweet potatoes. I don’t like sweet potatoes. Do you like sweet potatoes, Daddy?”

Taron grins, unaffected by her calling him Daddy for the eleventy-millionth time this morning. If their bonding weren’t so adorable, I’d make her stop. She’s totally his mini-me, and he clearly adores her.

When our bellies hurt from eating all the food, Mindy and I flop on the couch in the formal sitting room, glasses of red wine in our hands, while the guys camp out in front of the television to watch SEC football. All except Taron, who is too busy being Daddy.

“Those boys are racing a little car down the sidewalk. Can we go see, Daddy?” Dove grabs his large hand and drags him to the door.

Mindy gives me wide eyes from the other end of the couch, and I fall to the side, my head in her lap. “Stop! Don’t make me laugh. I might throw up.”

“Don’t barf on me, glutton.” My best friend shoves my shoulder.

“Your mom’s dressing is too delicious. I have to be sure none’s wasted.” I’m holding my stomach as she combs her fingers through my hair.

“So how are you doing with all this Daddy?” The way she says it makes me laugh a little more.

“It’s like she’s been waiting to call him that since the day they met.” Lifting up, I look out at them, and she’s propped on his hip, pointing at where she wants him to take her next.

Seeing her this happy fills me with a joy I’ve never known. It’s like a kaleidoscope of butterflies is in my stomach, and every time she calls him and he picks her up, holds her and adores her, they swirl around inside me.

“She always loved Sawyer and Leon, but this is next level.”

Mindy looks out the window at them. “I can’t really blame her. I’d want a hot as hell man-slave at my beck and call, too. But what about you? How are you feeling?”

Pulling my feet under me I release a sigh. “He’s trying so hard. He seems so sincere…”

“But?”