“Good night,” she said before slipping in the door.
Drew felt as if he were floating on a cloud as he drove home and pondered how he could convince her to stay.
He was still contemplating his predicament of losing Kacey when he sat down in front of the laptop in his office. He powered up the job website and began searching for teaching positions.
He sat up straight and sucked in a breath when he founda posting for a music teacher in Charlotte. Then he clicked on the position and began to apply.
***
“Happy Thanksgiving!” Kacey sang as she opened the front door and found Drew standing on her mother’s front porch the following week.
He looked handsome dressed in chinos, a plaid button-down shirt, and a black leather jacket.
“Happy Thanksgiving to you.” He handed her a serving dish. “I brought mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows. You might have to warm them up in the oven.”
“Thank you,” she said as she motioned for him to come inside.
The delicious smells of turkey and all the trimmings washed over them as Kacey and Drew walked into the family room.
“Have you ever met Travis’s parents?” she asked Drew.
“I don’t think so.”
Kacey set the serving dish on the kitchen counter and then took Drew’s arm and towed him over to where Travis’s parents stood by Travis and her nieces. “Peggy and Tom, this is my friend Drew Murphy.”
Tom shook Drew’s hand. “Great to meet you.”
“We’ve heard so much about you.” Peggy shook his hand next. “Riley was telling us about the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival.”
“It’s only two weeks away,” Drew said.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to help serve the meal.” Kacey slipped into the kitchen and helped her sister and mother carry the food out to the dining room.
Soon they were all gathered around the table with their bountiful Thanksgiving dinner in the center—a golden turkey, green bean casserole, mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows, cranberry sauce, biscuits, and gravy.
“Before we eat,” Mom began, “how about we each say what we’re most thankful for? I’ll start. I’m grateful for my family.”
Dani glanced around the table, smiling at her daughters and her husband. “I’m most grateful for this family too.”
Travis and his parents all echoed Dani’s and Mom’s declarations.
“I love my doll,” Kelly said, and everyone chuckled.
Riley sat up straight. “I’m thankful for my family—even my baby sister.”
Kacey turned to Drew, and her pulse picked up speed. “I’m thankful for special friends.” She looked around the table. “And I guess my family too,” she teased, and everyone chuckled.
Drew studied Kacey for a moment and then he said, “I’m thankful you’re back in my life.”
Kacey’s heart hammered as she stared at him.
“Nana,” Riley whined. “Can we eat now?”
“Yeah, eat!” Kelly echoed.
Everyone laughed again.
“Yes, sweeties,” Mom said. “Let’s enjoy this wonderful meal.”
