Cameron blushed as she nodded.
“Well, at least your taste in women has gotten better over the years.”
The offhand comment meant more to Cameron than Wilma Dean probably knew. Her parents never made her feel different or unloved after she came out. Instead, they’d stood by her since that day and never stopped. Her siblings had been the same way.Cameron knew how lucky she was to have that kind of family in a small Tennessee town.
“Now, come on.” With a firm wave of her hand, Wilma Dean motioned for Cameron to join her. “We have a lot of work to do before Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow and little time to do it in.”
“We would have had more time if you hadn’t had your hair dyed,” Cameron teased, earning her a glare from Wilma Dean. But as the middle child, she was used to it. “Sorry, Mama.”
“And for that, you can sit at the kids’ table tomorrow.” Wilma Dean smirked, letting Cameron know she was mostly teasing.
But Cameron had a feeling she would still wind up at the kids’ table tomorrow.
Chapter 14
Melanie
Thanksgiving at the Mackenzie house was more fun than it ever was at her in-law’s house. Not that Melanie would ever tell them that. But Isla and Vera Mackenzie just knew how to throw a party. From birthdays to baby showers to holidays, they spared no expense. And everyone was always invited, which made Melanie feel less guilty about showing up with her pre-packaged cookies for the dinner.
Having known the Mackenzies for so long, Melanie was an honorary member of the family. She’d spent a few holidays with them over the years, but never Thanksgiving. And, dammit, if she hadn’t been missing the best one. Every type of comfort food imaginable seemed to be on the wooden table in the dining room as the family sat around it and laughed and chatted about life. Melanie soaked up the feeling of family, loving being Aunt Mel to all the kids.
She loved listening to Ellie talk about the school play, while Brayden tried to teach Melanie about hockey. Melanie loved when Everleigh asked to sit beside her as they were all picking their seats. And especially loved as Everleigh kept scooting her chair closer and closer to Melanie’s as the dinner went along. Atsix, she was the youngest member of the family, but that never stopped Evie. She’d been a spitfire since the day she was born.
That was a day Melanie wouldn’t soon forget.
Since Isla had opted for a home birth, the last thing Melanie expected was to see Vera bringing her to the hospital early the next morning with baby Everleigh in her arms.
“Aww, you had her without me there,” Melanie pouted as she hurried over to them. She tenderly kissed Isla’s cheek before looking down at the precious baby. “She’s perfect, Mom. How are you feeling?”
“Not great,” Isla winced.
“She tore,” Vera stated matter of fact, but with a sympathetic smile on her face. “And she wouldn’t come in last night.”
“I was exhausted.”
“I’ll say. She was in laborforever.”
“Imagine how I feel,” Isla chuckled. “If Vera hadn’t used the vibrator and her tongue, I think I’d still be in labor.”
Melanie held up her hands and shook her head. “I’m not going to ask for more details. I’ll go get a room for you.”
Even six years later, Melanie smiled at the memory. She loved how close they were as friends and how over the years that had morphed into being family without any fanfare. Melanie was an honorary Mackenzie and she loved that role.
“Aunt Mel,” Everleigh looked up at her with her eyes slightly narrowed, “why are you smiling?”
“Because I’m happy, Evie.” Melanie kissed the top of her head as she pulled her into a side hug. Everleigh giggled as she wrapped her arms around Melanie’s waist. She savored the feeling, knowing all too soon Everleigh would grow up and not want to hug her anymore.
“You’re silly.”
“No,you’resilly,” Everleigh giggled as they finished their dinner.
After the plates were cleared and leftovers packed away in the refrigerator, the family gathered in the living room to decorate the Christmas tree. It had been a Mackenzie family tradition for as long as Melanie knew, so she didn’t want to interrupt it. Catching Vera alone in the kitchen, Melanie playfully bumped her hip into Vera’s.
“I’m going to head out.”
“What?” Vera dramatically gasped. “No. Stay and help with the tree. Please. I want you to. The kids would want you to.”
“I just didn’t want to impose more than I already have.”
