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She couldn’t stop smiling. She’d spent the weekend with his family before, but this time she wasn’t pretending to belong.

Biscuit slept in the backseat. Claire held a container of cookies. She had made chocolate chip cookies to bring because no meal was complete without cookies.

Noah told her Thanksgiving didn’t need cookies, but she made them anyway.

Noah glanced over at her.

“What are you smiling about?” he asked.

“Seeing your family again,” she replied.

“Emily called me yesterday. Ainsley can’t wait to see Aunt Claire.” He smiled.

“Watch out, Aunt Claire is going to take Uncle Noah’s place in her life,” she joked.

He frowned. “I’m pretty sure you already have.”

“No,” Claire reassured him, “nobody could take your place in her life. That girl adores you.”

“She loves you too.”

When they arrived, Maggie, Will, Emily, and Ainsley were all standing outside waving. Maggie hugged Claire before Noah. Ainsley ran straight to Claire.

“There she is!” Will exclaimed. “Our favorite daughter!”

Emily turned around. “I’m right here, Dad!”

Claire laughed, but something warm settled in her chest. They teased her the same way they teased each other.

Before Noah could even finish unloading the car, Emily led Claire inside. She was quickly made aware the Carter family had a strict routine for preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

Will fried the turkey.

Maggie was the main cook, of course. She was responsible for the dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and the baked mac and cheese.

Emily made homemade cranberry sauce and put Sister Schubert’s rolls in the oven.

Noah made homemade mashed potatoes and gravy.

“Noah makes the best mashed potatoes,” Emily told her like it was a fact. “The whole family agrees.”

Of course he did. They were comfort food.

She and Noah would be making the pumpkin pie together. Apparently, Maggie normally did that as well, but she wanted Claire to feel included without working too hard. They would be following her signature recipe.

“Can you help me peel the sweet potatoes so they’re ready for Mom?” Emily asked.

Claire nodded. “Of course.” Emily passed her a potato peeler and she and Emily started working, side by side.

Will headed outside to start the turkey. Emily and Claire peeled sweet potatoes for Maggie while she started on the dressing. Noah came in carrying pounds of regular potatoes and started washing them.

The kitchen was full of life and laughter, as they all worked to prepare the meal.

Ainsley wanted so badly to be useful, so Noah assigned her the extremely important job of playing with Biscuit. She was happy to do that.

“Noah, when are you going to tell us why your mashed potatoes are so freaking good?” Emily asked.

“Never.” He grinned. Claire glanced at him, curiosity in her gaze. I’ll tell you later, he mouthed. She smiled back in return.