“I love it here. This is where my family is.”
“Speaking of family, my sister is hosting Thanksgiving thisyear. I’d really like you to meet the rest of mine,” he said. “We’re having it at Courtnie’s house. I’m frying the turkey.”
“I’ll make something to bring,” said Natalie.
“That’s a yes?”
“It is, but do you think there’s room to invite a couple people from here? Maybe Orene and Paul?”
“Yes, and Sheila too.”
“You already thought of Sheila too. Of course you did. You’re so thoughtful.”
“When you were upset, I called her to come. I thought you might need her,” he admitted.
“She’s on her way?”
“Yes. She should be here any minute. There’s always room for family even if we have to use a card table and a tent. We’ll make it work.”
“Don’t you make me sit at the kids’ table, future sheriff.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “You do have a certain sheriff aura about you.”
He tilted his head. “You think?”
“I do.”
“Save thatI dofor something more special in our future.”
At that moment, Tucker’s truck rolled up and he and Sheila piled out of the truck, heading their way.
“Family.” She nodded with a huge smile. “Are you tempting me with a good time?”
“One that’ll last forever,” Randy said. “Seriously, I want to make a life together in Chestnut Ridge with you, Natalie. No matter how long it takes, or what comes our way.”
He kissed her on the forehead.
“I want to be part of your family.” She hugged him, then nodded toward Tucker and Sheila. “I think we have some explaining to do.”
“We do. I hope you don’t mind a little long-distance dating until we get all this worked out.”
“I’d wait forever for you,” she said. “I used to think the most important thing in the world was having a family, and then you showed me how anyone special can be family too.”
