The aroma of pumpkin bread, turkey, and stuffing filled the air. Jenna took a sip of her apple cider, enjoying the warmth of cinnamon as it slid down her throat. The large barn-like facility the town had built after she'd left was brimming with people. It was an amazing structure, a perfect place to have the Thanksgiving Feast. A long table, reaching from one end of the barn to the other, along with two more tables formed a large U shape. In the center of the space, she spotted the seat that once was set in honor of her father. This year the nameplate read Frank Miller.
Drew lead her through the crowd to the buffet table. She held tight to Sadie’s hand, keeping an eye on her to see if the noise and lights were too overwhelming. As much as she loved the feast, she didn’t want to stress Sadie out to the point of her developing night terrors.
They stood next to the food table. All the country home cooking made her stomach growl. Thank goodness the fiddler played loud enough it covered the noise.
Judy and several other women uncovered the various dishes, full of homemade, top-secret family recipes, and set out serving utensils. She hadn’t had good home cooking for so long, she thought she’d just dig in right there.
“It’s just how I remembered it.” Jenna held tight to Drew and followed him to the back where Sadie ran over to other children playing on bales of hay.
“You know, I haven’t attended one of these feasts since you left. I’ve worked it plenty, but I’ve usually done parking and crowd control outside. It’s good to be here as a resident this year.” Drew hurried over to stop a bale of hay from falling and keep Sadie from tumbling down.
Jenna joined them. “You can’t always protect her.”
“I can try.” He set her down near two other little girls playing with dolls, and Sadie showed off her new green dress with white lace that he had bought her.
“You also need to stop spoiling her. She’s going to become a brat.” Jenna hip-bumped him.
Devon, her mother, and a young man and woman she didn't recognize made their way through the crowd to join them. Devon was like a human shield making sure no one bumped into his wife.
“Hi, Mama. I didn’t expect you to make it. You sure you should be out?”
“That’s what I told her, but you know how stubborn she can be,” Devon said.
The young woman smacked him on the arm. “Calm down, Dad. Let her breathe.”
“This bossy lady is my daughter, Becca, and this is Rusty Miller.” Devon pointed.
Jenna shook both their hands. “It’s nice to meet you.” She eyed the place of honor at the head table before returning her attention to Rusty. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Rusty held tight to Becca. “Thank you. My grandfather was a good man, even if he was a little stubborn.”
Cathy slapped her thigh. “A little? Ha, the man could argue with a brick wall and win.”
Jenna cringed at her mother’s outburst about the young man’s grandfather, but Rusty only nodded and smile. Becca took his hand. “We’re gonna go visit with Rose and Marcus. They’re only home from college for a few days. We’ll catch ya later.” They faded into the large crowd beyond Jenna’s view.
“You should sit down.” Devon ushered Cathy to some chairs.
Cathy sat but waved her hand at him. “Shush, and go get me some punch before you smother me.”
Drew sat next to her mother. “I’ll take good care of her. Jenna, would you mind getting me some more apple cider? I’d like to talk to your mother for a moment.”
She wasn’t sure she liked him and her mother being alone together, afraid an argument would have her mother relapsing, but Devon snagged her arm and headed to the beverage table before she could protest. They waited in line and the entire time Jenna kept her eyes on those two. “What do you think they are talking about?”
Devon shrugged. “It’s your mother. You probably have a better idea. I know she’s excited you’ve agreed to stay in Sweetwater County despite the possible outcome of the center.”
“Yes, well, I hope I have a job still, or it’ll be far more complicated to stay.”
Devon scooped the ladle through the bowl of cider and poured some into her cup. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it. According to Cathy, they’re more worried about a lawsuit than your job. Rumor has it that Maverick sent a message to the board via email, informing them that an additional electrical inspection should have been completed prior to you moving into the house, and someone dropped the ball.”
She held his cup up for him to pour some. “I don’t want a job because they’re scared I’m going to sue them. It wasn’t their fault. It was an accident.”
Devon smiled. “Small town politics. Trust your mother. She wrote the handbook on board manipulation. She makes things happen around here. Town gossip reports that not only are you going to receive the funds, but they're working with Riverbend to start a joint program. After you spoke to them about an intern, it turns out that Riverbend is in need of a facility also. It may require you being head of both, with staff under you, but I know you can handle it.”
Jenna’s pulse raced with excitement and fear, but it was good fear. “I don’t know what to say, except that I’ll work hard and make sure the kids are getting what they need.”
“I know you will.”
They made their way back to her mother and Drew. He had a strange look on his face, but her mother was beaming bright.
“What? I know that look. Both of you are up to something.”
Drew took the cup from her hand and handed it to Devon. “You asked me by my truck one day what else I kept of ours, but I didn’t get a chance to answer before you laid that kiss on me." He touched his class ring hanging from a chain around her neck.
She felt the heat in her cheeks and avoided eye contact with anyone but Drew.
“I wanted you to wear this like old times, but it wasn’t the ring I really wanted to give you. Many years ago, I purchased a different kind of ring. It isn’t much since I didn’t have any money then, but I’ve kept it all these years.” Taking both of her hands in his, he knelt down on one knee. “Jenna, your father wasn’t here for me to ask, so I spoke to your mother and she gave her blessing.” He removed an old box with pale white cloth around it from his pocket and opened it to reveal a small, shiny, diamond chip ring. “As I said, I bought this years ago, and I’d like to take you to pick out the ring of your choice, but I hope for now you’ll accept this. I want to marry you and to be a father to Sadie. I know this is fast, but I’ve wanted this for so long. Will you marry me?”
Jenna felt tears run down her cheeks. She eyed the ring and fought her trembling lip so she could speak. All the fear was gone, replaced by hope and love.
“Well, are you going to answer the boy, or are you going to wait until I’m dead?” her mother asked.
Jenna shot her a look and Devon growled at her.
“What? Too soon?” Cathy chuckled. “Boy, you all are a sensitive bunch."
Jenna grasped the small box. She couldn’t imagine him keeping it for over a decade. “I love you, Drew Walker. I’ve always loved you. It’s not too soon. It’s long overdue and the ring is perfect. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
The entire room clapped and they were flooded with their friends and neighbors as everyone came to offer their congratulations. Some she recognized, others she was yet to get to know. All of them were part of her town family. Sweetwater County, Tennessee, was, and always would be, the town where her heart and home belonged.
The End
Please click HERE to continue your Sweetwater County journey.