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“Make your own snowflake design out of construction paper,” Aria suggested.
Rory smiled faintly. “I don’t think I remember how.”
“Well, if anyone can figure it out, you can.” Aria started out of the room. “Come on, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Rory followed her sisters into the kitchen as Jake and Hunter stomped in the front door, their hair tousled and faces flushed with cold. Hunter carried a jug of apple cider, and Jake was bearing three different kinds of pie.
“Parade clean-up completed.” He set the pies on the counter and turned to plant a kiss on Callie. “Turkey Tom should last one more year, though his tail feathers are getting a little droopy.”
“Better his than yours.” Callie patted his rear.
“Mrs. Higgins says Happy Thanksgiving.” Hunter put the cider in the fridge. “She wants everyone to stop by for cookies later. Damn, that turkey smells amazing.” He pulled Aria in for a hug. “So do you.”
“It’s all ready.” Eleanor waved them toward the dining room with a potholder. “Go sit down. Henry and I will bring everything in.”
As the group started out of the kitchen, Rory tugged Hunter to a halt.
“Hey, do you have a minute later tonight?” she asked. “I want to talk to you about something.”
“Sure. I’m planning on eating everything twice, so I’ll be at the table for a few hours.” He patted his flat stomach in anticipation. “What do you want to talk about?”
“I’m not sure yet.” Rory walked beside him into the dining room. “But it has something to do with scissors, a snowflake, and Aria flashing her boobs.”
He laughed. “Well, then. I’m definitely in.”
* * *
Going back to SJ. Will LYK when I get in.
Rory’s text was followed by a little turkey emoji.
Without responding, Grant shoved his phone into his pocket and shut the car door. He hadn’t seen her on Thanksgiving, and over the past few days, they’d been keeping in touch via text.
While he’d never liked texting, he’d been grateful for it as a way to quickly contact her. But now, the shorthand messages they exchanged were like bones stripped of meat. He avoided asking questions and struggled to respect her need to “be alone.”
He hated forcing himself to back off. He hated that she wanted to keep him at a distance. After years of being accustomed to his own privacy, to not having anyone around, there was now a Rory-shaped hole in his life. He had no idea how, orif, it would be filled again.
He rang the bell of his parents’ house, and his mother welcomed him with a smile that held a hint of nervousness. They hadn’t spoken since the fight.
“Did Nathan tell you that Alice wants to visit Bliss Cove?” Joanna poured a scotch and handed it to him. “She was so intrigued by my descriptions that she’s anxious to see the town for herself. Nathan is going to call you to work out the details.”
“Good to know.”
“So, how is everything?” Joanna smiled brightly. “Did you spend Thanksgiving with Rory’s family?”
“No.” He rubbed a hand over his hair. “I haven’t seen her in a few days.”
“Oh, dear.” Dismay crinkled her forehead. “I really botched things up for you, didn’t I?”
“Honestly, Rory wanted to handle the situation by herself before you…did what you did,” he admitted, setting the glass on a table. “She’d never want anyone to rescue her.”
Joanna lifted an eyebrow. “That must be hard on you.”
“Yeah. But it’s also one of the reasons I love her. She’s so strong. Sometimes I have to do what she wants instead of what I want.”
A shadow crossed his mother’s face. She spread out her hand and studied her fingernails. “Sounds like a lesson I need to learn.”
Grant’s heart softened. “I know you have good intentions, Mom. But instead of your behind-the-scenes plotting, maybe straightforward talking would have better results.”
