Page 165 of Sunkissed Colorado

Zandra helped her mom for a while in the kitchen. Later, when I went to offer my cooking services, I found my girlfriend sporting a sunny expression. “Having a good time?” I asked under my breath.

“With the help of wine, yes.” Zandra pecked my lips. “I actually am.”

Her mom waved at me from across the kitchen. “Callum, take the tamales to the table. They’re in the top oven. Then tell Javi it’s time for him to carve the turkey.”

“Yes, Eliza. I’m on it.”

“Thank you, dear.”

My jaw dropped, and I turned my astonished expression on Zandra. “Dear?” I whispered. “Your mom loves me.”

“Don’t get carried away.”

“Too late.” Before I went to grab the glass dish of tamales, I wrapped an arm around Zandra and tipped her back for a thorough kiss. Rosie hooted and cheered, while Eliza sighed and tried to ignore us.

When I put Zandra upright again, she was laughing, and I hoped somebody was snapping a picture. Because this was one for the mantle.

Thanksgiving number two was at Dane and Grace’s house. We were the last to arrive, and I held the second pumpkin pie over my head to keep it safe as we navigated through Stella and the kids running underfoot.

“Uncle Callum!” Maisie and Ollie both shouted. Ollie trailed after me. “Cal, can we play football?”

“Later, bud. After dinner.” As soon as we got inside, I announced, ”We’re here. Party can officially begin.”

“Thank goodness,” Ashford deadpanned. “Zandra, please tell me he ate enough at your parents’ house that he’s too full for stuffing.”

My girlfriend shook her head. “I can’t help you there. He’s already had a slice of pieanda piece of tres leches cake, and he still claims to be hungry.”

I patted my stomach as I set the dessert we brought on the kitchen counter. “As soon as I heard about two Thanksgivings, I started training for this.”

While Emma roped Zandra into finishing up the table decorations, I went to give Grace a hug. She was making pan gravy just the way our mom used to do it.

I stuck my pinky into the pan and tasted it. “Needs more fresh pepper.”

She swatted my arm. “Go find somebody else to bother.”

Grinning, I scooted out of the kitchen. We’d had a nice time with Zandra’s family, especially listening to Rosie and Jimmy bicker over wedding plans. But this would be the capstone of the day for me. Being with my siblings, blood or otherwise. Teller and Ayla weren’t here, but I had no doubt they’d call in at some point for a video call. So we could all be together. Noise and laughter and chaos. Every bit of it.

Together. That word meant something very different this holiday than last year. And not just because of my incredible girlfriend who I loved more than anything.

There was someone else I had to wish a Happy Thanksgiving.

Finding a quiet corner, I took out my phone and sent off a text to Grayden. We’d talked a few times here and there since that first conversation. About simple stuff, not the past or anything heavy. Grayden had mentioned a couple times in passing that he hoped to see us again soon, but he, Grace and I hadn’t made any plans yet. Because there was one O’Neal sibling who still refused to speak to him.

I’d finally told Ashford about Grayden coming home to Silver Ridge years ago, and how I’d turned him away. But that hadn’t made any difference. Ashford had actuallythankedme. Because he still didn’t think our big brother had a place in our lives. Especially in Maisie’s life.

It sucked. But on a day like today, I just wanted to make sure Grayden knew I was thinking of him.

He didn’t write back a quick response to my text, not that I expected one. Grayden had said something about Thanksgiving plans with friends. So I hoped he was enjoying a good meal too.

“There you are.” Zandra had just turned the corner. “We’re about to eat. Food’s on the table.”

I squeezed her hips through that sexy sweater dress, dipping to kiss her neck. “Damn. No time to sneak off for a quickie in the bathroom?”

“How can you even think of sex after all the food we’ve eaten? And we’re about to eat more.”

“Always hungry for you, baby.”

Zandra snorted. “Come on. We can burn off the calories later. Assuming we’re not in a food coma.”