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Her lips turned into a sneer. “You’re Marley Matthews. You lived in a trailer at the inn.”
“I lived there, yes.” I wasn’t sure what this woman’s angle was.
“We went to school together.”
“I don’t remember you.” I had a feeling she was one of the mean girls who tormented me about my living situation. Thankfully, I must have cleared her name from my memory.
She laughed. “Is that what you’re doing now? Living on the Monroes’ dime?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I own a multi-million-dollar company. I don’t need to live on anyone’s dime.”
Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened slightly before it closed.
I put the ornament in the bag and handed it to her. “Have a happy Thanksgiving.”
She turned and walked away, a little stunned by my declaration. I didn’t usually mention my success, and especially not in those terms. But I didn’t like people accusing me of mooching off the Monroes. Sure, they’d been nice to me, but I helped out on the farm. I did the marketing and social media. I hoped the Monroes didn’t feel like I was mooching off them.
I was a little on edge the rest of the day. I was worried others would recognize me. But if they did, no one said anything. We locked up at three and walked over to the main house.
Heath draped an arm over my shoulders. “Are you ready to eat some good food?”
“I can’t remember the last time I was at someone’s house for Thanksgiving.” My stomach rolled with nerves.
“It’s no different from the other times we ate at the house. There’s just more food.” At Heath’s easy smile, I relaxed.
Before we walked inside, I stopped him with a hand on his arm. “You don’t think I’m mooching off you, do you? That I’m staying here to get something from you?”
His brow furrowed. “Why would you think that?”
“Someone said something today, and it got me thinking.” No matter how I tried to put it out of my mind, it snuck back in.
“I love having you here. No one thinks you’re using us. You could live at the inn, or even at your house. It’s just more convenient for you to be at my cabin.”
“Are you sure?”
“Baby, I love you.” He kissed me and drew me into his arms.
I wanted to sink into his touch and never leave the safety of his arms. People were going to think whatever. I think it bothered me because a part of me felt like it was true. It was why I wanted to buy a house instead of renting one as soon as it was feasible. It was important for me to be established, to have my own place, and to be successful.
“Let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
Inside, the house was the same as it always was, full of conversation and laughter. Everyone was here, including Cole. There was a ton more food than usual, including various pies and cookies. Every surface was covered with food of some kind. We finally sat down to eat at six.
We went around the room to say what we were grateful for. Each brother said family and their health. It sounded trite, but they’d said it with emotion. Those two things were the most important to these men after losing their father. That’s why it was imperative for me to be here for Heath.
He wanted me close, just like he enjoyed having his family nearby. I was the last one, and I was hoping they didn’t expect me to join in, but then Lori said my name, and my face heated. “I’m thankful to be surrounded by so much love.”
I must have said the right thing because everyone smiled and raised their glasses to say, “Happy Thanksgiving,” and Heath hugged me to him and kissed my temple. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I whispered to him, knowing it was the first time I’d said those three words out loud. I’d said I was falling for him but not this.
Heath beamed and kissed me again.
“Come on, you two. Get a room.” Talon threw his bun at Heath.
“Boys. That’s enough. Heath is allowed to kiss his girlfriend,” Lori said.
“At the table?” Talon asked, sounding like he was a teenager.
