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Clearing my throat, I stood and said, “I have a lot to be thankful for this year.”
“You can only pick one,” Angie said as she chuckled.
Harmony’s eyes met mine as they danced with light. “I’m thankful for the New York Yankees.”
Everyone at the table let out a gasp. Harmony continued to stare at me as she narrowed her eyes and tilted her head.
“That’s blasphemy, Preston James Ward!” my father shouted as my brothers both said I needed to be kicked out of the house.
Granddad laughed as he looked at Harmony and shook his head. Standing, he waved his arms around and said, “Leave the boy alone. He has his reasons.”
My father stood up and pointed to me. “Well, it better be a damn good reason.”
Smiling, I nodded. “You would have had to see her in a Yankees baseball cap, Dad, to understand.”
Glancing over at my father, I saw him staring at me like I was insane. “See who?”
Turning, Granddad spoke to Harmony. “Harmony, darling, it’s your turn.”
Standing, Harmony never took her eyes off me. “I’m thankful for Preston. If it wasn’t for him…I’m not sure where I would be right now.”
My heart stopped as I looked into Harmony’s eyes. I was stunned into silence by her words as she smiled and sat back down. I didn’t think she would ever realize how important those words were that she had just spoken.
Everyone sat at the table in silence. Sitting down, my father leaned over to my sister and said, “Please tell me Harmony is not a Yankees fan.”
—
Holding Harmony’s hand, we walked along the worn-out path in peaceful silence. I had no desire to be anywhere else than right where I was.
Harmony began humming, which was something I’d never heard her do before. Letting out a deep, contented sigh, she began to speak. “I’ve never experienced such an amazing Thanksgiving. Your family is wonderful, Preston.”
Smiling, I nodded. “Yeah, they are pretty amazing.”
“My heart felt so empty a few days ago. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it through this knowing TJ wasn’t here, but I did. Thanks to you and your family.”
Pushing me slightly on the shoulder, she gave me a look that only a mother could give. “I wonder how your mom found out it was my birthday? I mean, she had to have known a few days ahead of time to order that amazing Italian cream cake. Which happens to be my favorite cake ever.”
Shrugging my shoulders in an innocent way, I said, “I can’t believe she ordered that cake! What a crazy coincidence.” Laughing, we both shook our heads as we looked straight down the path again.
“It was a beautiful and delicious cake, though. Her friend did an amazing job on it,” Harmony said as she leaned her head on my shoulder as we kept walking.
Nodding, I replied, “Yeah, she did.”
Stopping, I turned to face Harmony. “Tell me what you’re thinking right this second, Harmony.”
Biting her lip, she looked away. “I’m thinking about how this feels like a dream. Guilt is starting to settle in because I feel the happiest I’ve felt in a very long time. I’m also thinking how my heart feels—complete. That’s the only word I know to use to describe it and that scares me.”
Placing my hands on the sides of her face, I brought her eyes back to mine. “Why does that scare you, baby?”
Tears formed in Harmony’s eyes as she closed them, then opened them again, only to let them release a tear to roll down her beautiful face. “It scares me because I heard what you whispered to me last night, Preston.”
My heart slammed in my chest. Damn it. I’m pushing her into this too fast. Shit. Shit. Shit.
“I heard you say that you loved me and…and…”
Slamming my lips against hers, I wrapped my arms around her as she did the same. I wanted to pour as much into the kiss as I could. The last thing I wanted to do was push Harmony away.
Pulling my lips back, I spoke softly. “Harmony, please don’t feel like you have to say anything in return to me. The last thing I want to do is push you into something or push you away.”
