“I love you,” she whispered, feeling sleep beginning to claim her, warm and secure in Ward’s embrace.
His response followed her into dreams:“I love you, too. More than I have words.”
∞∞∞
Grizzly Creek Ranch
Thanksgiving Day
Emily slipped out onto the wide back porch of Elle’s Victorian ranch house, letting the screen door close quietly behind her. She needed some fresh air and a quick break from ironing an endless succession of vintage table linens.
From inside the house, the sounds of the Swanson family preparing Thanksgiving dinner spilled out like music—Annabeth directing traffic around the double ovens, Maggielaughing at something Matt said, Elle instructing the table-setters on the proper way to fold napkins into turkey shapes.
Emily smiled, wrapping her cardigan tighter around herself as she leaned against the porch railing, taking in the stunning view of snow-dusted mountains beyond the ranch’s sprawling grounds.
She hadn’t intended to step away from her kitchen duties, but the knowing looks from Dane and Elle had finally become too much to bear. Of course, all the shifters could smell her pregnancy. Yet they’d respected her privacy, allowing her the joy of making her own announcement during the traditional“gratitude sharing” that preceded the Thanksgiving feast.
Through the windows, Emily could see the organized chaos that was the Swanson family at work. Three enormous turkeys roasted in the oversized ovens that Tyler had installed when he rebuilt the back of the house after a major fire twelve years ago.
The long kitchen island was covered with mixing bowls and cutting boards, where Grandma Elle supervised the preparation of more side dishes than Emily could count—mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, three different kinds of stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, and at least four varieties of pie cooling on the sideboard.
In the dining room, the youngest members of the clan carefully arranged silverware and napkins on the massive oak table that had been extended to its full length with all three leaves inserted. Emily had learned that Ward had built the table soon after becoming a journeyman carpenter.
The screen door creaked open behind her, and Emily turned to see Ward stepping out, balancing two steaming mugs of cocoa. His hair was slightly mussed, with a smudge of flour on his cheekfrom where he’d been helping roll out pie crusts. The sight of him—this strong, gentle man who had given her a new life, a new family, and now a child—filled Emily with such overwhelming love that she felt it might spill from her in visible waves.
“Thought you might get cold out here,” he said, offering her one mug.“Grandma Elle said the baby needs extra warmth.”
Emily accepted the cocoa with a laugh.“So she definitely knows.”
“Bear shifters,” Ward said with a playful eye roll.“Can’t hide anything from them. But don’t worry—they’re all pretending they don’t know, so that we can make the announcement.”
“That’s sweet.” Emily sipped the rich cocoa, tasting cinnamon and a hint of chili pepper. It was Annabeth’s recipe.“I was just thinking about how different this is from last Thanksgiving.”
Ward stepped behind her, wrapping one brawny arm around her waist while balancing his own mug in his free hand. His warmth enveloped her, far more effective than her cardigan at keeping the chill at bay.“I imagine it wasn’t a happy day for you.”
“Mom had just passed away a couple of days earlier. Andrew was at his grandmother’s house, and I wasn’t invited because I was a teary mess, and he didn’t want to announce our engagement until I could look my best for his family. I ended up having a turkey dinner delivered from the neighborhood diner and I ate it alone in Andrew’s McMansion, while watching a movie in the living room.”
Ward’s arm tightened around her waist, his chest rumbling with a protective growl. Through their bond, Emily could feel his fierce protectiveness.
“Never again,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.“From this day forward, you’ll never spend your holidays alone.”
“I know.” Emily turned in his arms to face him, reaching up to wipe the flour from his cheek.“That’s what I’m thankful for this year. Having a real family.”
They stood together in comfortable silence, sipping their cocoa while the sun began its descent toward the mountain peaks. From inside, Emily could hear Elle calling everyone to bring dishes to the table.
Soon the clan would gather around that massive oak table, join hands, and take turns sharing what they were grateful for this year.
Emily already knew exactly what she would say.
She was grateful for Maggie’s friendship, which had given her a refuge when she needed it most. Grateful for Ward, whose selfless love had shown her what a real partnership looked like. And most of all, grateful for the tiny miracle they had created together: the newest member of the Swanson clan, growing beneath her heart.
“Ready to go in?” Ward asked, finishing the last of his cocoa.
Emily nodded, taking one last look at the mountain view before turning toward the warmth and light of the house.“Ready.”
As she went inside, Emily felt the last lingering shadows of her past life with Andrew finally dissolve completely.Thiswas where she belonged—in this town, with these people, building a future filled with love and safety for their child.
Bearpaw Ridge was her home again. Her forever home, this time.
∞∞∞
