Chapter Twenty-One

Ethan stared at his wife. He’d imagined this moment, dreamed of it over the last several weeks, but Kendall standing barefoot in a pair of pink pajamas in Gage’s dining room was not how he’d envisioned their reunion. And he sure as hell didn’t expect her to demand his arrest, with her curly hair as wild as the temper sparking in her butterscotch eyes. Wait a minute, he thought, as he finally clued in to what she was ranting about. “Kidnapping? I didn’t have you kidnapped. Why would you…”

He might as well have been talking to himself for all the good it did him. Kendall spun around. “Give me your phone,” she said to the tall man who had unceremoniously deposited her in Gage’s dining room. Ethan dragged his gaze from Kendall to the lethal-looking stranger. Alarm flashed through him at the realization that this guy had taken his wife, his very pregnant wife, against her will.

But since Kendall was giving the stranger hell, she obviously wasn’t afraid of him. With a cowboy hat covering half his face, all Ethan could see was the man’s amused smile. “Now, Sweet Cheeks, calm down. Can’t be good for your blood pressure.”

Sweet Cheeks? Ethan stood up. “What’s going on…” He trailed off when, in an attempt to grab the phone from the man’s hand, Kendall knocked off his cowboy hat. Chance McBride. His wife’s kidnapper was his best friend’s brother.

Gage pushed back from the table at the same time as Paul. His stunned expression mirrored his father’s. “Chance?” the two men said in unison. No one had seen Chance McBride since his wife Kate’s funeral four years ago.

Paul went to greet his son, but Kendall turned on him. Somehow she’d gotten hold of Chance’s phone and pointed it at Paul. “Stop right there. Did none of you hear what I said? I was kidnapped. Kidnapped at gunpoint.”

“I didn’t kidnap you at gunpoint, and you know it. Dad, you might want to stay back until Sweet Cheeks here gets the drama out of her system,” Chance said as he picked up his hat from the floor.

“Drama?” Kendall waved the phone at Chance. “You dragged me terrified from my bed—”

“Terrified?” Chance rolled his eyes. “You don’t have the good sense God gave you to be terrified.”

“Hey!” She looked back at Chance and elbowed him in the gut. “I had enough good sense to defend myself against you, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, your capoeira moves were real scary, Sweet Cheeks.” Grinning, Chance put up his arms, raised his leg, bending it at the knee.

“Ha-ha.” Kendall scowled at him. “It wasn’t me who ended up with a broken nose and bruises, now was it?” she said as she pressed buttons on the phone. Chance sighed, took the phone from her, and ended the call.

No one moved, staring openmouthed at the couple as the scene played out before them. Finally Gage, as if sensing Kendall was ready to go off on another rant, intervened. “So what you’re telling me, Skye, is that my brother kidnapped you at gunpoint from your father’s home in Texas.”

“Yes.” Chance gave her a light shove. “Okay, so it wasn’t exactly at gunpoint, but he did take me against my will.” She shoved Chance back, then pointed at herself. “Does this look like someone who went with him willingly? If I did, don’t you think I would’ve gotten dressed?”

Gage took in her attire and rubbed the back of his neck. “I see your point.”

Chance grinned as he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

Her cheeks went as red as her nose, and she crossed her arms over her chest. Obviously, Chance had pointed out to her what had been noticeable to Ethan and every man in the room. His wife was cold and had forgotten her bra. Ethan narrowed his gaze at the man he’d grown up with and asked, “Do you want to explain to me why you kidnapped my wife?”

Kendall rolled her eyes. “Oh, that’s rich. Don’t put on the innocent act. This was your fault. You put him up to this.”

“Skye, honey, why don’t you sit down? It’s not good for you and the baby to get this worked up,” Paul said. At the same time he tried to get his daughter-in-law’s attention, but Madison was looking at Nell, who was bent over her plate, eating her turkey as if nothing had happened.

“What did you do, Nell?” Madison said, and everyone turned to stare at the older woman.

Nell looked up, blinking her eyes. “Are you talking to me?”

Gage and Paul groaned, and Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose.

“ ’Fess up, Nell. You’re behind this, aren’t you?” Madison said.

“So she was behind it after all,” Kendall said to Chance. “That’s why you bleeped her.”

“He bleeped me?”

“No, I bleeped her ’cause you were a pain in the ass, Sweet Cheeks. Sorry, Aunt Nell, the jig is up,” Chance said.

“You can all stop looking at me like that. At least I did something. Not my fault that I’m the only one with gumption.” She aimed her fork at Ethan. “What are you complaining about? All you’ve done is mope around since she left you.”

“I wasn’t moping, Nell,” he protested, more emphatically than was probably necessary. “There were a lot of loose ends that needed to be tied up.”

“Oh, is that why Claudia’s still here, helping you tie up all those loose ends?” Kendall said, her husky voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Actually, Kendall, I’m here to support Ethan. After you destroyed his chance of winning the election and stole his child from him, he needed me,” Claudia said, smiling up at him.

It wasn’t true, but there was nothing he could say without embarrassing Claudia.

“Skye. My name is Skylar Davis. And this is my child.” She placed her hand on her belly. “My body, my life. And all of you self-righteous, holier-than-thou right-wingers better get that through your thick skulls.”

After what she’d put him through these past weeks, that was the last straw. “Are you sure that’s who you are? Because I seem to remember the night we got married you were pretty clear that you wanted to be known as Kendall, Kendall O’Connor.” He slapped his forehead. “That’s right, now I remember. The reason you wanted to be known as Kendall O’Connor was the same reason you agreed to marry me, isn’t it? You were using me to hide out from Jimmy ‘the Knife’ Moriarty.” He jabbed a finger at her. “And that baby you’re carrying is as much mine as it is yours. And I’m warning you, if you do one thing, just one thing, to put my child at risk, I will do whatever I have to do to protect it, including breaking the law.”

Gage gave him a you’ve-lost-it look. Yeah, Ethan had already come to the same conclusion himself. He supposed letting out all the anger, hurt, and frustration he’d kept bottled up inside since election night wasn’t the best idea. No one, not even Gage, knew how hard that had been. How hard it was to know he’d wasted a year of his life—all that time, money, and energy he could never get back. And a woman he was in love with, a woman he’d believed felt the same way about him, was indirectly responsible for that loss. But it was her betrayal, the callous, cowardly way she’d left him, the way she’d completely cut him off as if he had no right, no place in his child’s life, no place in her life that was more difficult to bear.

“Ethan, darling,” his mother said, touching his arm with a worried look in her eyes.

Richard got up from where he sat beside Liz and came to stand at his side. “Not the time or place for this, son,” he said for Ethan’s ears alone. “Why don’t you sit down?”

Ethan did as Richard suggested before he embarrassed himself further.

Madison, who’d been as angry at his wife as Ethan had been, shot him an indignant look and got up from the table. She took Skye by the hand. “I’m going to get my best friend something decent to wear, and then we’re all going to sit down at this table like normal people and eat the Thanksgiving dinner I slaved over for two days.”

“What are you talking about? You made the carrots, and you burned them.”

“Aunt Nell,” Gage muttered, then kissed his wife’s cheek. “I’ll put everything in the oven, honey. Keep it warm until you’re ready.”

“I’ll help you, Gage,” Ethan’s mother offered. Claudia’s gaze flicked from Ethan to his wife. She started clearing off the table with Nell as Madison led Skye away.

“You’re a big meanie, Uncle Ethan,” Lily said, following after the two women.

“Geez, Uncle Eth, way to ruin Thanksgiving,” Annie said as she left the table.

“Girls, wait. Come say hi to your Uncle Chance,” Gage called after his daughters, but they were long gone.

“Sorry about that,” Ethan apologized to Gage and scrubbed his face with his hands.

When he looked up, the four men who remained at the table glared at him. “Oh, come on, how did I end up being the bad guy in this?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?” Chance asked, taking a seat after he’d hugged his father and brother. He leaned back in the chair, picked up a bun, and fired it at Ethan’s head. “She’s pregnant, Einstein.” It was the nickname Gage’s brothers had given Ethan in grade school. One he’d hated. “And she’s not feeling so hot since I dragged her out of her bed and brought her to Christmas in her pj’s.”

“Yeah, about that,” Ethan said, lobbing the bun back at him. “What the hell were you thinking? You kidnapped her, took her across state lines, and you had a gun even if you didn’t threaten her with it. You could be charged both federally and by the state with first-degree kidnapping.”

“She won’t charge me. She likes me. You should be worrying more about yourself. Sweet Cheeks doesn’t like you very much, and she has a mean right hook.” Chance grinned. “Moriarty’s lucky all she did was break his jaw and rupture his balls.” Jerking his thumb over his shoulder, he added, “Might be a good idea if you don’t shove your new girlfriend in her face.”

“Claudia is not my girlfriend,” Ethan responded tightly.

“Coulda fooled me,” Chance said.

“You may want to set both your mother and Claudia straight on that, Ethan,” Richard said with a pointed look at the two women whispering in the kitchen.

“He can do that tomorrow,” Gage said. “What he’s going to do now is call a truce with his wife. Today’s important to Madison. It’s her first Thanksgiving with the family and the baby. And I want to salvage what’s left of the day. Madison will calm Skye down, and now that she knows Nell was behind this, I hope she’ll reconsider pressing charges. I’d like to visit with my brother in the comfort of my home instead of behind bars.” He looked at Chance. “You are staying for a couple of days, aren’t you?”

Chance shifted in his chair. “I wish I could, but—”

“Son, you haven’t been home since…” Paul stopped himself, then in a pleading tone of voice said, “A day or two, that’s all I’m asking for. Please.”

Ethan could see that Chance was fighting an inner battle. It was as hard to watch as the hope fading from Paul’s face at the resolute expression on his son’s.

“Come on, Chance. It’s time,” Gage said quietly, holding his brother’s gaze.

Chance rubbed his jaw, then slowly nodded. “Yeah, okay, Dad. I’ll stick around for a day or two.” He looked across the table at Ethan and grinned. “And I think in the next few minutes, Einstein here might need a bodyguard.”

“I can defend myself, thanks. But I’m not going to have to, because as soon as Madison’s had a couple more minutes with my wife, I’m going to go talk to her, straighten a few things out, and then we’re all going to sit down for a civilized Thanksgiving dinner.”

Chance started to laugh. “Best-laid plans. I figure you have”—he glanced at his watch—“about ten seconds before the cavalry arrives.”

“What’s he talking about?” Gage asked Ethan, as Chance began counting down the seconds with a shit-eating grin on his face.

The doorbell rang and his mother called out that she’d get it at the same time Ethan responded to Gage. “I have no idea, but he’s starting to get on my—” Ethan broke off when a woman with mile-high blonde hair burst into the dining room and drew a Glock from her purse. “What have you done with my honey bun?”

* * *

Skye glanced at Maddie as she dragged her to her bedroom. “Considering you haven’t talked to me in weeks, I’m glad to hear I’m still your best friend.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m not mad at you. All you’ve done for the last few months is lie to me. You were in danger, and you didn’t tell me. What kind of friendship is that? After everything we’ve been through together, you shut me out. But you didn’t shut Vivi out, did you?” Maddie crossed her arms, her expression more hurt than angry.

“I know, and I’m sorry. I really am. I did it for you. Gage is Ethan’s best friend. I didn’t want you to have to keep secrets from him.”

“That excuse worked when you were keeping the baby a secret, but it doesn’t cover the rest of it. You took off in the middle of the night in a snowstorm. No phone call, no nothing. You left your husband to deal with Bob Bennett’s smear campaign on his own, then you publicly humiliated him by announcing your divorce in the paper. I don’t think I know you anymore.” Maddie sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m not sure I want to. He loved you, Skye. Ethan loved you, and you destroyed him.”

“Looks like he got over me pretty quick,” she said in a flippant tone of voice, trying not to let her heartache leak into her voice. It’d been easy to hold on to her anger when he attacked her, but now the reality was setting in. She really had lost him. “I’m sure he and Claudia will be announcing their engagement any day now.”

“Really, that’s all you’ve got to say for yourself?” Maddie looked at her, tears welling in her eyes. “I, uh, I’m sorry, but I think I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Why?” Skye tried to tamp down her panic at the thought she’d lost not only Ethan but her best friend, too. She sat beside Maddie. “I can’t lose you, too. I can’t.” She gave her head a frantic shake.

“What do you mean, ‘too’?”

“I love Ethan, Maddie. I probably always will.”

“Then why did you leave him? Why did you—”

“Because I thought I was protecting him. I thought if I left him, he’d have a chance to win the election.” She lifted her eyes to Maddie’s. “I was there, that night at Liz’s. I heard everything. I heard about Jimmy blackmailing him, about the pictures and what Claudia said. They were going to tell the truth—that Ethan had only married me because of the baby and was filing for divorce. There would have been backlash if he did. It was better if I did.”

“Skye, why didn’t you just tell him? You could have—”

“I couldn’t. He would have convinced me to stay. At least without me by his side, he had a chance to win. I knew if he lost, he’d blame me as much as I blamed myself.” She released a brittle laugh. “So much for my sacrifice. And, as you just heard tonight, I was right.”

“I’ve known you for more than ten years, I should’ve known there was more to this.” Maddie took her hand. “And what if he’d won, Skye? What were you going to do then?”

“Be glad that at least something good came out of me leaving him. Because you were right. I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t. I don’t think I could’ve kept it up for much longer. In the end, we would’ve ended up where we are today.”

“Where are you today?”

“Here with my best friend, I hope.”

“That’s not what I meant. Of course we’re still best friends. I was angry, and not just about Ethan. I was angry you could up and leave me after I had Connor. I needed you.”

“I’m sorry. I promise, no more secrets.” She tentatively drew Maddie in for a hug, not entirely sure her best friend had forgiven her. “So does this mean you’re not kicking me out?”

Maddie drew back and winced. “That wasn’t really in tune with the spirit of Thanksgiving, was it?”

“Nope, but neither were Ethan and me.” She pointed at herself. “But I think I had a legitimate reason for my rant. Can you believe Nell sent Superman to kidnap me?”

“Uh, yeah, it’s Nell we’re talking about. But who’s Superman? I thought Hot Bod kidnapped you.”

Skye laughed. Her laughter fading when she realized this was something else she’d kept from Maddie, so she told her all about Vivi and Superman.

“I can’t believe it. And you didn’t tell her?”

“No, he was protecting her, and she needed protection.”

“You think he’s in love with her?”

“I’m not sure, but he does care about her. I don’t think he’s gotten over Kate.”

“I’m sorry he scared you, but it’s about time he came home. Paul will be over the moon. So will Gage. Maybe that was part of Nell’s plan all along.”

“Hey, what about me? Aren’t you glad he brought me back?”

She tilted her head. “That depends. I’d like to have a happy Thanksgiving. Can you manage to be civil to Ethan and Claudia?”

Her heart fluttered beneath her rib cage. “So they are together?”

“Not as far as I know. Richard is courting Liz, though. But I have to tell you, Claudia has been there for Ethan after you…” She shrugged. “Are you planning on staying in town?”

“I think so. I’ve missed you guys. And Christmas would be a good place to raise the baby. Besides, Ethan and I are going to have to figure out a way to make this custody thing work. It’d be easier if we were in the same state. Easier for him to have her on weekends, that is, because I have no intention of giving him full custody.” Thinking of her baby growing up with Claudia as a stepmother, she placed a protective hand on her stomach.

“You said you love him. Why don’t you try and make it work?”

“He doesn’t love me. And if he ever did, it was Kendall he was in love with—and I’ll never go back to pretending to be her again.”

Maddie was about to say something when Annie and Lily burst into the bedroom. “Auntie,” Lily said, launching herself at Skye. Annie threw her arms around Skye’s neck and said, “I’ve missed you.”

Skye laughed. “How could you? We talk every day.”

Maddie stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Wait a sec. You talk to my daughters every day and you don’t talk to me? Okay, I know,” she said when Skye gave her a pointed look.

Then Maddie started to laugh. “I should’ve known when I was having trouble nursing Connor and Annie suggested I try a nipple shield.” She shook her head and hauled Skye to her feet. “And speaking of nipples, you need something decent to wear. Girls, I hear your brother, get him for me, please. We won’t be long.” Maddie opened her closet and gave Skye a once-over. “You actually look pregnant now.”

“I know, it’s so amazing,” Skye said, rubbing her stomach. “I can’t believe how big I am.”

Maddie snorted. “The only thing big on you is your boobs.” She handed her a pair of leggings, a long purple sweater and a bra. “Instead of looking like you swallowed a golf ball, you look like you swallowed a football, one for toddlers.”

“Ha-ha, you’re so funny,” Skye said as she got dressed. She’d just finished tugging the sweater over the black leggings when she heard a woman yelling for her honey bun.

* * *

It took forty minutes to calm Betty Jean down, get Connor fed and tucked into his cradle, and the food back on the table. Skye was retrieving the last platter when Ethan cornered her in the kitchen. “We need to talk,” he said, blocking her exit.

“It’ll have to wait. Everyone’s hungry.” After what he’d said earlier, she didn’t want to hear more in the same vein. Not right now. Maddie wanted a Hallmark Thanksgiving, and that was what she was going to get. Unintentionally, Skye had hurt her best friend, and she needed to make amends.

“Just give me a sec, okay? I want to apologize for earlier. I was out of line. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have commented on your relationship with Claudia. It’s none of my business.” Really, Skye? That’s all you got? She had so much more to apologize for, more important things. In her defense, it wasn’t easy to think straight with him standing so close that she could smell his expensive cologne. The track lighting in the kitchen brought out the gold highlights in his tawny hair. He was wearing it longer now. Like the scruff on his chiseled jaw, it made him look dangerously sexy.

He shoved his hands in the pockets of his black pants. “No, it’s not.”

That wasn’t the answer she expected or wanted to hear. She raised her gaze, trying to read the emotion in the depths of his hazel eyes. They were more green today, reflecting the color of his sweater. But he had on his lawyer face, hiding his feelings from her.

“It hasn’t been your business since you left me in the middle of the night without an explanation.”

“I left you a note.”

He raised his brows. “The blog post was more enlightening than your note. You should’ve told me how much you hated it all.”

“You should’ve known.”

“I’m not a mind reader.”

She shrugged. “Nothing we can do about it now. It’s water under the bridge.” She saw the regret in his eyes and felt the same. She wished their marriage hadn’t ended the way it did. Maybe if they’d been honest from the beginning, they would have had a chance. “I’m sorry, Ethan. I’m sorry you lost the election.”

“Yeah, well, it happens.” His eyes drifted to her stomach. “How’s the baby?” he asked, returning his gaze to hers.

“She’s fine, thank you.” Nerves made her response come out more clipped and formal than she had intended. The thought of him suing her for full custody was always at the back of her mind.

“You’re pale. You don’t look well. Have you seen a doctor?”

“Ethan”—Claudia stuck her head in the kitchen, her gaze sliding from Skye to Ethan—“everyone’s waiting to start.”

“We’ll be right there,” Ethan said, giving the woman a smile. A woman who didn’t look pale and unwell, like Skye did. No, of course she didn’t. Claudia looked the picture of health in a red, wraparound knit dress that hugged her willowy frame. Which might have been the reason Skye snapped, “No, I haven’t seen a doctor because I don’t need to see a doctor, and if I thought I needed to see a doctor, I would see a doctor. I’m pregnant, not sick.”

He took her arm as she went to walk by him. “Why do you have to take a simple question and make a federal case of it?”

She jerked free of his hold. “Do not turn this on me. I know you, and I know exactly what you’re thinking. The silly, spoiled, self-centered—” Her eyes widened when she realized what she’d done. She’d repeated what Claudia had said about her that night. “She doesn’t know enough to take care of herself, so how could she ever take care of a baby?” she finished on a rush, praying he didn’t clue in.

“No, I wasn’t. But you’re almost thirty-three weeks. I’ll make an appointment with Dr. Evans for you. We’ll go—”

“I already have an appointment with her, Ethan. I made it at my last visit. Despite what you think, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of my baby.” With that, she strode out of the kitchen, slamming the casserole dish on the dining room table. “Let’s eat,” she said. “I’m starved.”

Maddie’s anxious gaze went from her to Ethan. Skye forced a bright smile. “You’ve outdone yourself, sweetie. Everything looks amazing. Let’s give Maddie a round of applause. Yay, Maddie.” She put her fingers between her lips and whistled. Then she did a fist bump across the table to her best friend. “Awesome. Best Thanksgiving ever.”

Chance tugged on the back of her sweater. “Okay, Sweet Cheeks. We get it. Sit down so we can eat.” She took the seat between Chance and Betty Jean, her father sitting beside his wife-to-be.

Betty Jean leaned into her. “Honey bun, we’re going to have to go out and grab a bite later.”

Skye eyed the platters. “Load up on carrots and green beans.”

Chance grinned at her, then stuck a serving spoon into the whipped potatoes. Just as he went to put them on his plate, Lily shook her head. “We say what we’re thankful for first, Uncle Chance.”

“Are you shitting me?” he said in a low voice to Skye.

She surreptitiously elbowed him, even though she privately agreed with him. As Lily began, Skye tried to come up with something that wouldn’t tick off the man sitting across the table from her with his mother on one side of him, Claudia on the other.

“I want to give thanks for this amazing man that I had the pleasure of working with so closely this last year. He was robbed, but I know that one day he will have his chance, and I’ll be by his side to make that happen.” Claudia gave Ethan a simpering smile, then patted her father’s hand. “And of course I’m thankful for you, Daddy.”

A big hand closed over Skye’s. “Put down the knife, Sweet Cheeks,” Chance said out of the side of his mouth. She didn’t realize she’d been holding it, and loosened her white-knuckled grip. “You have nothing to be jealous about. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you,” he whispered in her ear.

“I’m not jealous,” she said, but she felt a little better for him saying so.

He gently tugged on her hair. “Careful, your nose is going to grow.” He cocked his head. “Actually, I think it already has, Rudolph.”

“You’re a pain,” she said, unable to keep the smile from her voice. She liked Chance McBride. He was like an annoying older brother.

From across the table, Ethan narrowed his eyes at them. His mother nudged him. “Darling, it’s your turn.”

He raised his glass of wine. “To Madison and Gage, for including us today. You guys are the best. There’s nowhere I’d rather be than here with all of you. Mom, I’m thankful that you’ve put up with me the last couple of weeks.” He turned to Claudia, who smiled prettily at him. “And I’m thankful for all the help you’ve given me this past year. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend or campaign manager.” Claudia’s smile fell, then she forced it back in place. Ethan held Skye’s gaze. “And most of all, I’m thankful that I’m going to be a father. I plan to play a very active role in my child’s life. Very active.”

He was doing well up until that point. Skye went to say something along those lines to Chance, then remembered that he’d lost his wife and unborn child, and kept her mouth closed. When they worked their way to him, she wasn’t surprised that all he said was “Thankful for all this fine food. Now, can we eat?”

Skye put her hand on his leg and gave the rock-hard muscle a light squeeze. When Chance looked at her with a raised brow, she angled her head at his father. He sighed and added, “Thankful to be here with my family. Good to see you all. Now can we eat?”

“No, it’s Auntie Skye’s turn,” Lily said.

Skye cleared her throat. “I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I have a baby on the way.”

Betty Jean reached over and rubbed Skye’s stomach, “Aw, our little hon bun.”

Lily giggled and Skye smiled, patting Betty Jean’s hand. “And I have a stepmama-to-be who I already love to bits.”

Betty Jean pulled her into a hug. “Aw, honey bun, I love you, too. Isn’t she just the sweetest thing?”

Skye imagined there were some rolled eyes at Betty Jean’s pronouncement, but she focused on her dad instead. “And I’m thankful for my dad. More than he probably knows. We haven’t always seen eye to eye, but we’re getting there.”

“Aw, Willy, did you hear that? I think I’m going to cry.”

Skye’s father winked at her as he handed Betty Jean a handkerchief.

“And I’m thankful I have the most adorable nieces and nephew on the planet, but most of all, I’m thankful that my best friend has forgiven me because she is the sister of my heart, and I don’t know what I’d do without her in my life. I love you, Maddie.”

“Damn you, Skye, did you have to make me cry?” Maddie said, swiping at her eyes.

“Daddy, Mommy said a swear.”

Gage grinned and put an arm around Maddie. “I’ll cover her this time, sweetpea.”

“ ’Kay, that’ll be two bucks.”

Chance laid a hand on his chest. “I’m wounded, Sweet Cheeks. Aren’t you thankful for me?”

“Thank you for protecting Vivi, Superman,” she whispered in his ear before kissing his cheek.

Once they made their way around the table, Chance said, “That was all very nice, but I’m starved. Can we eat now?”

“Hold your horses. I haven’t had my turn,” Nell said, her gaze lighting on everyone at the table. “I’m thankful to be here with four generations of McBrides. There’s nothing more important than family, and I’m damn proud of mine. You get on my last nerve every now and then, but I love you all. And I’m thankful my great-nephew had the good sense to marry this gal right here.” She waved her fork at Maddie. “Paul, you could learn something from your son. Anne wouldn’t want you to be alone.”

“Aunt Nell,” Paul growled.

“I’m old. I can say whatever I want.” She looked at Chance, and everyone held their breath. “I’d tell you the same, son, but you’re not ready to hear it. I hope one day soon you will be. Don’t tell the other boys, but you’re my favorite. I can always count on you to do what needs to be done.”

“Hey, last week you told me I was your favorite,” Gage said, lightening the mood.

“And I’m thankful we’re finally done with the thankful stuff. Dig in, folks,” Chance said, pulling the bowl of whipped potatoes toward him. He bowed his head and closed his eyes when Nell continued, “You know what else I’m thankful for? Now that Skye’s back in town, I’ll be able to write the happy ending for their story. Hop to it, kids. I’m on a deadline, you know.”

“Good luck with that,” Ethan muttered at the same time Skye said, “Don’t count on it.”