Page 164 of Sunkissed Colorado

Now that Manny hadfinallyretired from management, limiting his role to ownership, we only heard from him about once a week when he came in for lunch and a surprise inspection. I loved those visits, because we could usually sneak in a game of backgammon.

And thanks to Zandra conspiring with Chef Alice, Hearthstone now had chicken nuggets on the menu. Manny had no idea they were gluten free.

Once Zandra had the pumpkin pies in the oven, I handed over Daisy. The newest addition to our family had arrived in October. We’d heard from Dixie Haines about a litter of month-old kittens in someone’s barn, and I’d surprised Z with a trip out to see them. We instantly fell in love with this little black-and-white, short-furred beauty.

I mean, when it’s love, what else can you do? You just have to go with it.

Chloe was less thrilled about her new sister. Where Chloe was a prickly diva, Daisy was a bundle of energy and snuggles. We’d been keeping them separate most of the time to give Chloe her space. I’d never had cats before, so I didn’t know if that would change, but I sensed Chloe was warming up to Daisy. Some things were inevitable.

After I cleaned up the kitchen and we checked on the pies, I sat on the couch with Zandra and Daisy. Chloe leaped up on the cushion on my other side.

“Callum?” Zandra said softly.

“Mmhmm?”

“I think this is what perfect looks like.”

I glanced around our tiny, eclectic living room. We’d picked out the furniture together, mostly from resale shops around Hart County. The mantle above the fireplace held my football-player gnome and a collection of framed photos of family and friends. There was one of Zandra and Jessa in a prominent spot, and another of me and Z at the fall festival with me in full turnout gear.

Nowthathad been a good day.

But there was room for more, too. More memories and more people in our lives.

“You’re right, baby. This is exactly what perfect looks like. I’m thankful.”

“Me too. So thankful for you.” She groaned. “Except, less thankful for having to attend two Thanksgiving dinners today. Think my mom will notice if we skip?”

I shot her a grin. “If we don’t show up, your mom will call search and rescue.”

“Ugh. Truth.”

Connor showed up about an hour later. He was our cat sitter for the next few hours. “Where’s Daisy?” he asked, instead of actually saying hello.

“Napping.”

He pouted. “Can I wake her up so she’ll play?”

“You can play with Chloe.”

Connor winced. “Sure, if I want to get shredded like a horror movie.”

We heard Zandra giggling from the kitchen. She must’ve heard every word. “We saved you a pumpkin cinnamon roll, Connor!” she called out.

“I would’ve done it for kitten time alone,” he replied, “but I appreciate that.”

Connor was going to cat-sit while we were at the Alvarez Thanksgiving. His girlfriend planned to swing by to help him—and for kitten time, naturally—before Darius and the womanhewas dating took over kitty watch for the rest of the afternoon. No idea what I would’ve done without those guys.

As we drove to Zandra’s parents’ place, my truck was filled with the scent of pumpkin spice and pastry crust. A light snow had fallen, draping the evergreens along the road with a soft layer of white. I pulled up next to Jimmy’s battered old Chevy, with itsmanyGrateful Dead bumper stickers, and then grabbed one of the pies from the backseat.

But before we went inside, I stopped Zandra and pulled her in. “You’re gorgeous today, Sunflower.” Her hair was down, and she’d worn a cozy red sweater dress that I couldn’t wait to slide off of her later.

“So are you.” Her pink lips twisted. “Just wish you’d worn your ball cap.”

“Your mom would hate that.”

The twist of her mouth grew more devious. “I know.”

But maybe we were both wrong. Because Eliza answered the door with a careful smile and not a single criticism. Just thanked us for the pie and waved us to join them in thekitchen, where Rosie and Jimmy were stirring up jalapeño cornbread and Manny was wiping the table with Javi at backgammon. “Callum!” Manny said. “Get over here so I can beat you next.”