Page 39 of Deacon (Men of Clifton, Montana #52)

“That sounds wonderful.” He paused. “Jessica and I could come there, if his family’s okay with it. You know that Ty and Jeanie go to her family’s place. What about Joella though? You know she always spends it with us.”

“I did mention it to her, but I’ll ask Frank.” She glanced at her watch. “I should go.”

“Okay, honey. We love you.”

“I love you, too.” She ended the call, shifted into drive, and headed to Frank’s.

When she arrived, she shut her vehicle off, opened the door and ran up onto the porch and knocked. The door swung open, and there was Frank, arms full of Ellie. Her little girl’s curls bouncing. Ellie shrieked and reached out for her, and Ava’s heart swelled.

“Have you put her down at all?” Ava teased, draping Ellie across her hip as the child giggled and pressed her cheek against Ava’s. Frank just laughed, and in that moment, Ava knew she was exactly where she belonged.

“I think I set her down once or twice,” he said with a mischievous grin that lit up his features. “Are you in a hurry?”

“Not at all,” Ava replied, her breath visible in the chilly air.

“Then come in out of the cold and have a cup of coffee with me. ”

“I’d love that.” Ava stepped into the warm, inviting kitchen, a welcoming contrast to the biting cold outside.

She gently set Ellie down on the floor, then shrugged off her coat, hanging it neatly on a peg by the door.

She pulled out a wooden chair from the cozy kitchen table and settled into it, feeling the warmth seep into her bones.

Frank placed a steaming cup of coffee on the table in front of her, the rich aroma filling the air, then poured one for himself and joined her at the table.

“I want you to know that we are all truly happy you moved here,” he said, his voice full of sincerity.

“I’m glad we did too. Frank, I’m sorry for keeping her from all of you. You didn’t deserve that,” Ava replied, her eyes downcast with a hint of regret.

He reached across the table and gently touched her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “We understand, honey. We’re going to make up for lost time.”

Ava nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “That sounds good. May I ask you something?”

“Of course, anything,” Frank replied, leaning back in his chair.

“Thanksgiving is next month. What do you do for the day?” Ava inquired, curiosity mingling with hopefulness.

“We all gather here for dinner. I’ve gotten very good at roasting a turkey,” he said with a proud grin.

Ava laughed. “Would it be alright if my father and his...” She paused, shaking her head with amusement. “It doesn’t sound right calling her his girlfriend at his age.” She chuckled again. “But, he is seeing a woman, and I think it’s getting serious. Anyway, could they come here for Thanksgiving?”

“Absolutely,” Frank agreed without hesitation, his warm smile matching hers.

“Oh, and my best friend. She usually spends it with me and my dad.” Ava nibbled on her bottom lip.

“That’s fine. The more the merrier.”

“Thank you. I’ll even help you cook,” she said with a smile.

Frank shook his head. “Too many cooks spoil the meal,” he said, then winked at her.

Ava chuckled. She enjoyed talking with Frank. He was a good man and did one hell of a job raising three boys on his own.

“Okay, but I can at least set the table, right?” She tilted her head.

Frank rubbed his chin as if giving it some serious thought, then nodded.

“I can let you do that.”

After she left with Ellie, she entered the house, then got started with dinner. Deacon had sent her a text telling her he was leaving the office. She’d wait until he got home before starting dinner. She was sure he’d want to shower when he got home.

****

As Deke stepped into the warmth of the house, his stomach let out a low, rumbling growl.

He shrugged off his hat and coat, hanging them on the rack by the door.

The air was filled with the comforting aroma of home, and he turned at the sound of small, rapid footsteps accompanied by peals of laughter.

Just in time, he saw Ellie bursting into the kitchen, her face beaming with pure joy, her eyes sparkling.

“Dad-dy!” she squealed.

Deke crouched down, catching her in a warm embrace that felt like coming home, planting a tender kiss on her rosy cheek. “Hi, baby girl. How was your day?” he asked.

Ellie giggled, her little hands clapping with uncontainable excitement as she launched into a stream of animated chatter, her words tumbling over one another.

Her boundless enthusiasm was infectious, and Deke couldn’t help but chuckle along with her.

Then, Ava entered the kitchen, and his heartbeat intensified.

The sight of her never failed to stir something deep within him.

He knew he was in love with her and it often left him awestruck by its intensity.

He set Ellie on the floor, then approached Ava slowly, each step deliberate, stopping just before her to press a gentle, lingering kiss to her soft lips.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he murmured.

“Hi, yourself,” Ava replied, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Always for you,” Deke quipped.

“That’s dessert, remember?” Ava teased, her eyes glinting with playful challenge.

“I’ll try to hold on for that,” he said with a wink. “Did you check out the barn?”

“Yes, but the horses were out,” she replied, casually leaning against the counter, her posture relaxed and inviting.

“Did you want to ride? One of the men could have brought one in for you. ”

“No, I was just being nosy. I did meet Jonah, though,” she added with an amused grin, her eyes dancing.

“Damn, I forgot about him. Here I was, worried about you seeing Hud and didn’t think of Jonah. I might have been kidding a little when I said Hud had to beat women off with a stick, but Johan definitely has to.”

Ava laughed. “He is one gorgeous man.”

“Hey!” Deke protested, feigning offense.

Ava wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him closer, her touch a balm to his soul. “He has nothing on you, though,” she assured him, sincerity shining in her eyes.

Deke laughed. “Now you’re just trying to make me feel better.”

Ava leaned against the counter, her fingers curling around a steaming mug of tea as she looked at Deacon.

“I’m serious,” she said, her voice soft but certain.

“No man compares to you, Deacon.” She brought her mug to her lips, then laughed, bright and easy.

“I did send a photo of him to Joella, though. She’s ready to book a flight. ”

Deacon smiled as he folded his arms across his chest. “She’s welcome anytime.”

“I told her that.”

“Whenever is fine. I’m going to grab a quick shower.”

“Okay. Since you like your steak fresh from the fridge, I’ll wait to start yours, but I’ll make mine now,” she teased, turning to the stove and cracking a grin that made him laugh.

“All right, darlin’. I won’t be long.” He crossed the tiled floor, brushed a kiss across Ava’s lips, then slipped out of the kitchen toward the bedroom.

A few minutes later Deke entered the kitchen, his hair still damp.

The sizzle of raw meat in the hot skillet made him groan in appreciation.

He crept up behind Ava, sliding his hands to rest lightly on her hips.

He leaned in and brushed a warm kiss along her neck; she gave an involuntary moan, and he grinned.

“You smell good,” she murmured, her cheeks flushing pink.

“You always do.” He shook his head. “You’re ruining that steak.”

Ava flipped the meat. “I like it fully cooked. I don’t need to hear it moo while I’m trying to eat it.”

Deke laughed. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

She put two thick, juicy steaks, each ringed with perfectly browned grill marks on plates, along with a pair of baked potatoes.

“What is Ellie eating?” Deke asked.

“Oh, I found her a thin piece of steak, and I’ll give her some of my potato.” Ava scooped the potatoes onto small plates.

“She can have all of that?” he asked, eyebrows raised.

“Yes, as long as it’s cut into small pieces.”

Deke chuckled. “I’m surprised she didn’t want a hambirder,” he teased, and Ava laughed.

“Hambirder, Dad-dy?” Ellie piped up from her spot on the floor, gazing up at him with wide, curious eyes.

“Now see what you did,” Ava chided gently, shaking her head.

Deke winked at Ellie. “Just tell her the steak is really hambirder.”

Ellie clapped her tiny hands in delight. “Ham-bir-der!” she echoed, and Ava couldn’t help but smile.

“Could you please put her in her highchair?” Ava asked, smoothing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“Yep. Come here, Ellie. It’s time for dinner.” Deke scooped their daughter into his arms. She kicked her little legs and laughed as he plopped her into the highchair and buckled the straps, then slid the tray in.

Ava set the plates on the table and took her seat, the evening light now softened to a gentle glow. He pulled out his chair and settled in. The aroma of sizzling steak and buttery potato made his stomach growl. Conversation flowed easily between them.

“What did you do today besides drooling over Jonah?” Deke asked, flashing her a teasing grin as he speared a forkful of steak and savored it, eyes half-closed. “This is so good.”

Ava made a dramatic shudder. “No way.”

“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”

She brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. “When I picked up Ellie, I stayed with your dad for a while. We talked about Thanksgiving.”

“What about it?” he asked.

“If it was all right if my dad and Jessica came here for dinner.”

Deke cut another bite of steak, the knife sliding through effortlessly. “I’m sure he said yes.”

“He did,” Ava confirmed with a nod.

“What about your brother and his family?”

“They always go to Jeanie’s parents’ house. So, it’d just be me, my dad, and Joella there for Thanksgiving. But I love spending the holidays with him, so I asked Frank. I absolutely adore your dad.” She smiled across the table at him.

“I’m pretty sure he feels the same.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Is Joella coming, then?”

“I mentioned her coming for Thanksgiving, but she had to run, and we didn’t get to make plans. All she talked about were the pictures of Jonah I sent her. I hate to make more work for your dad. I even offered to help him cook, and he turned me down flat.” Ava laughed.

Deke chuckled, shaking his head. “He loves cooking for the holidays.”

Ava buttered her potato. “Do you see your mother, then?”

“No. She’ll do her own thing. Just like always.” He shrugged.

“Does that bother you?”

“Not at all. She was never around, so it’s no different.”

Ava’s lips curved in sympathy. “I don’t know how she did that. You were just little boys. I couldn’t imagine walking away from Ellie.”

He leaned back, gaze drifting to the window where the sky had deepened to twilight. “Since we were so young when she left, we didn’t miss her. She pops in only when she wants something.”

“Does your dad still care for her?”

Deke exhaled, a rueful laugh escaping him. “No. She killed any feelings he had for her when she walked out on him and us.”

“I see.” Ava shook her head.

“What does Joella do? ”

“Oh, I never told you, did I? She owns a gallery and sells beautiful paintings.”

“Does she paint?”

Ava laughed. “No, but she loves art. Mostly paintings from new artists.”

Ellie clapped her hands again, impatient for more bites, and the family settled into a cozy silence, the only sounds the soft tick of the clock on the wall, the scrape of forks on plates, and the gentle murmur of early evening outside.