Page 25 of Accidentally in Love

I picked my phone back up and sent him another text.

ME: You’re forgiven.

NOLAN: I’m here for you. For you and Peanut. Always.

His words meant everything to me, even though I knew they weren’t quite the ones I wanted to hear. Nolan would be a good father, but I wished I could have more from him.

“Is the bird done yet?” my dad called from the living room as I took the turkey out of the oven.

Today was Thanksgiving, which meant my favorite time of year was quickly upon us. Once we got through today, it would be time for me to break out my mom’s recipe book and start making all my Christmas cookies. I loved the holidays, and making cookies with my mom had been a favorite pastime when I was a kid. I kept up the tradition after she passed, mainly to keep her memory alive. Someone had to continue the family traditions. God knew my sister had no interest.

My Aunt Karen and I rolled our eyes in unison at my dad’s nagging. He had been asking that all morning. Yes, we were one of those weirdo families that ate Thanksgiving dinner at two o’clock in the afternoon.

I opened the oven and pulled out the turkey. Aunt Karen helped me check it was done.

Since mom died, my aunt and I tag-teamed Thanksgiving. Mainly because Dad and Gemma were useless in the kitchen. The same went for my cousin Mason and Uncle Bill.

“Almost!” I yelled back.

“We want to eat!” Uncle Bill called back.

Aunt Karen shook her head. “That man, I swear.”

I laughed and wiped the sweat from my brow. It was hot in here, and I felt nauseous.

I was still dealing with morning sickness, which sometimes wasn’t just in the morning. The relief band Nolan bought me had helped a little. Yesterday he came over to my apartment with ginger tea that he read might help too. That had been sweet of him, and I was grateful for it. Ever since my last appointment, he had been going out of his way to atone for being such a dick to me. I still felt like things were tense between us, and I wondered if our friendship could survive this pregnancy.

“I’m used to it. Bird looks good to me. Let’s get the table set,” I said to my aunt.

“GEMMA! MASON!” Aunt Karen yelled to my sister and my cousin. “Come in here and help set the table.”

I gave her a small smile. “Thanks, Aunt Karen.”

“They’re doing the dishes tonight,” she said with a grin. She gave my hand a little squeeze. “Your mother would be so proud of you, Avery.”

“Thanks.”

Aunt Karen could tell I was having a hard time today, but it wasn’t for the reason she thought. She probably thought I was missing my mom. I missed my mom; I missed her every day, but that wasn’t why I was off today. It was because the smells in the kitchen were making my morning sickness worse. I hadn’t told my family I was pregnant yet, so I couldn’t even complain about it. I didn’t want to explain that I was pregnant and the father and I weren’t together.

My sister and cousin set the table while my dad and uncle strolled in with MacGregor Brothers Brewing Company beers in both of their hands. Dad loved that Gemma worked at the brewery and we had befriended the owners. I wasn’t sure how he’d feel when I told him one of them had knocked me up.

My Aunt said grace for everyone, and then we all dug in… except for me. I pushed my food around on my plate and had two bites of plain turkey with no gravy. Which sucked, but I didn’t want to throw up again.

“You okay, Avery?” my aunt asked.

I didn’t have to explain myself because my sister nearly jumped out of her chair. “Hell yes!” she cheered as she looked at her phone.

“What’s up?” Dad asked as he gently pushed her back down in her seat. My sister could be a bit excitable.

“We got the tree lighting ceremony.”

“The what now?” Uncle Bill asked.

“In Drakesville. You know how they do the tree lighting ceremony in the town square? The brewery applied for a booth this year, and they said yes.”

“Really?” I asked.

That might have explained why Nolan looked super stressed lately. Some of the local restaurants sold hot chocolate and cider during the ceremony. Still, I don’t remember the town ever letting any beer be sold before. I would have figured Sullivan’s, the oldest bar in town, would have gotten that deal before the brewery.