“Yeah, something like that.”
“Hmm.”
“What’s that mean?”I demanded.
Her smile was tender.“Mama bear.”
I snorted.
“You are,” she said.“You never would’ve done something like that for Owen.”
“It would’ve fallen on deaf ears,” I pointed out.
“Probably.But that wouldn’t have stopped you from saying it.If you’d wanted to, I mean.Why did you go to bat for Lenni?For Archer?”
I fell silent.
“Uh huh.Thought so,” Poet said.
The sliding back door opened again and both Salem and Hadley trekked out in their coats.“What’s going on out here?”Hadley demanded as she waddled off the porch.
“Just trying to clear my head,” I explained.
“Clear your head about what?”Salem asked as she took a chair.
“She’s not trying to clear her head,” Poet explained.“She’s trying to clear her heart.”
“Ah,” Hadley said with a nod.
“How’s that going for you?”Salem added.
“It’s not,” I said with a sigh.“I have a confession.I tried to quit working for Archer.Like, Ireallytried to quit, but he wouldn’t accept my resignation.That was why I was with him when he got the call about Lenni.”
“He wouldn’t accept your resignation?”Hadley questioned.
I shook my head.
“You didn’t fight it that hard either, did you?”Poet asked with a knowing smile.
“Good,” Salem said.“I’m glad he didn’t accept your resignation.”
“Why?”I demanded.
“You have to stay, Wyn.So we can all be together again,” Salem said.
“Forever,” Poet added.“Forever and ever.”
The sliding door to the back porch opened and Muddy stepped out.“Food’s ready!”
Thanksgiving dinner was a boisterous affair.It was crowded and loud and it made my heart swell with happiness.This was family.
We all went around the table and said what we were grateful for.When it was time for Lenni to speak, I worried for a moment.But it turned out I didn’t need to.She listed out several things.Mildred.A new comforter.Steak.
Archer and I shared a look, and he smiled.It was filled with warmth, and something more.Something deeper than desire.
Poet wiped the tears from her eyes.Brooks pulled her to him and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
We passed dishes, the animals under the table begged for scraps, and when they realized that Lenni was the soft touch, they all crowded around her feet waiting patiently.
