AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I prefer pumpkin and pecan,” he says.
“He’s an old soul,” Zeke says, stuffing his free hand in his pocket. “Likes his pecan pie with strong coffee, and then follows it up with a stogie and a brandy.”
“I do not,” Ivan says, kicking at Zeke’s shoe.
“What about you, Faye?” Sarah asks, her brown eyes round and smiling.
“I think peach pie is delicious,” I say.
Rachel beams.
“No,” she says, with a shake of her head that sends her dark curls bouncing, just like her daughter’s. “For Thanksgiving? Will you join us?”
I feel all eyes on me and it’s a little intense.
“Oh? I, uh…” I’m not sure what to say. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
Last year I was too busy with classes to do anything more than grab a tray of turkey and mashed potatoes at the hospital cafeteria, or if I’m feeling fancy, I might order one from Huber’s. I guess I just assumed I would open a can of cranberry sauce and drink some wine with the girls at a Friendsgiving.
“Oh, please, Auntie Faye!” Rachel squeals, swinging her weight toward me in Freddy’s arms.
“Yes, please Auntie Faye!” Freddy imitates her, batting his eyes.
Zeke’s fingers thread between mine and suddenly it’s all I can focus on.
“You should come,” Zeke says, his voice closer than expected.
When I meet his kind blue eyes, his sweet, open gaze sends warm flutters to my core.
“Um, yeah. I think I can make that work,” I say, turning back to Sarah, but feeling Zeke’s gaze. “Just let me know what I can bring?”
“We can work that out later?” Sarah says as Zach squeezes her into his side and says something in a low voice that has her slapping his chest and mumbling, “I am not…”
“Time to hit the road!” Zeke says, clapping his hands together.
Ivan and Rachel take their turns giving goodbye hugs. Freddy gives me a little squeeze before he gets in the car to drive Zeke to the airport. I catch him shoot Zeke a heavy look. Zeke nods as he hugs Sarah and pats Zach on the back. Then it’s just me and him.
“I guess I’ll see you in a few weeks?” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Yup,” he says. “I’ll be flying straight there from Dallas.”
I nod and wait for him to say something more. He looks like it’s on the tip of his tongue. But when he doesn’t, and it starts to feel awkward, I go in for a hug.
“Good luck? Is that what I’m supposed to say?” I say as I wrap my arms around his torso and press my cheek against his hard chest.
It takes him a moment before he wraps his arms around me, but when he does, he curls around me entirely. He presses his face into the top of my head and takes a deep breath, sending chills down my spine.
“I’ll miss you,” he says in a quiet voice.
I let myself press into him a little deeper, and he strokes the back of my shoulder with his thumb.
“I’ll miss you too,” I say.
I pull back and as I’m about to step away, he holds me in place.
“What?” I look up.
He takes a deep breath and cups my face with his hands. They feel rough and warm against my cheeks and impulsively, I close my hands around his wrists.
