AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I mentally scolded myself for even letting my thoughts go in that direction.I should have known better.It had been nine years.The man he was now was not the man I had once known.I was also far from that girl who had loved him with every fiber of her being.
When I pulled up to Wilder’s mom’s house, there were already four other vehicles outside.I glanced over at Sarah, who was over-the-moon excited about my being with her for Thanksgiving.
“There are a lot of people here,” I said to her.
She nodded, smiling brightly.“Yeah, that’s Uncle Scott’s Jeep and Mrs.Jojo’s red convertible.The blue car is Honey’s, and the gray truck is Pop’s.”
Great.I only recognized Honey as what Sarah called Wilder’s mom and Pop as what she called Wilder’s stepdad.I’d had no idea there was an Uncle Scott.
I nodded and reached in the backseat to get out the turkey-shaped charcuterie board we had made.This was the first time I’d driven Wilder’s Range Rover.But we’d needed the room to store the food safely and put Belladonna in the back.Wilder had put in a net screen that kept Belladonna in the very back of the car so she wouldn’t climb over while he was driving.
Belladonna barked at me, as if to remind me I needed to get her out too.I was glad that Sarah had asked about bringing her.I’d hated the idea of leaving her alone at home all day.
“I’m coming to set you free,” I assured her, then turned to Sarah.“You take in the tray of cake pops,” I told her.
They also looked like turkeys.At least, the fudge-centered ones did.The pumpkin ones had pumpkin pie centers.We had stayed up late last night, working on them.Wilder had told Sarah we didn’t need to take anything, but I wasn’t going to a house for Thanksgiving and not bringing something.I was from Georgia, for crying out loud.It was what one did.
“Some of our turkeys look like chickens,” Sarah said, giggling.
I laughed, looking over at the tray of cake pops.She was right.The turkeys hadn’t turned out as well as the pumpkin ones.
“But they’re yummy.”
“Yes, they are!”she said happily while Belladonna jumped down from the back of the Range Rover and ran over to the closest patch of grass to pee.
Sarah headed for the front door, and I followed her.I only remembered meeting Wilder’s mother at Sylvia’s funeral.I knew she had been at their wedding, but that day was not one I liked to think about.I’d been a mess emotionally and blocked out most of it.The front door to the Spanish-style home opened up, and Azalea Shelton stepped outside with her arms wide open, beaming at Sarah, who went as quickly as she could to her grandmother without dropping the cake pops.
Azalea was in her late fifties with a short brunette bob and brown eyes that were so much like Wilder’s.The bohemian dress she was wearing hung loosely on her tall, thin frame, and her earrings were feathers that almost brushed her shoulders.
“My best girl in the whole wide world!”she exclaimed, then clapped her hands as she looked down at the tray of treats Sarah was holding.
“We made these last night, Honey.The turkeys kinda look funny, but they are the best ones.They have fudge inside,” Sarah told her.
“Then, I’m going to sneak one right now,” she whispered loudly and took a turkey cake pop from the tray.
Belladonna finished her business and ran past me to get in on the action at the front door.Her bark caught Azalea’s attention, and she lifted her eyes to see the exuberant dog headed for her.Laughing, she bent down and met Belladonna face-to-face.
“So, you’re the famous Belladonna I have heard so much about.I think we will be fast friends, you and I.To make sure of it, I have some special treats just for you inside.”
I liked this woman.A lot.I was also instantly thankful that Sarah had this.A real grandmother.This was not the kind of reception she got from Cleo.Most holidays were very formal, and Cleo expected everyone to be dressed in their Sunday best, but no one could wear shoes in the house, and Belladonna was never welcome.She would be “in the way.”
Azalea stood then, and her eyes met mine.Her soft smile as she took me in made me feel welcome.“You are just as stunning as I remember,” she said.“We’ve never gotten a chance to chat and visit.I was thrilled when Wilder said you would be coming today.”
“Thank you for having me,” I replied.“I didn’t know what all you were making, but Sarah and I thought we’d make something extra to bring.”
Azalea’s eyes seemed to twinkle with delight at just having us here.It was more having her granddaughter, but it still felt as if she was pleased to see me too.
“It looks delicious.Both of you, come on in.Make yourself comfortable.Meet everyone,” she said, reaching out to take the tray in my hand.“Sarah, you follow me with those cake pops, and we will take these to the bar and set them out.We have hungry men who want to eat now and can’t seem to wait until the meal is served.”She took a bite of the cake pop in her own hand.“MMM,” she hummed, then winked at Sarah, chewing.
Sarah glanced up at me with her bright eyes shining.
I instantly felt bad that she’d missed so many Thanksgivings here.Where she would have had a much better time.Her memories would have been those she cherished.Not the uptight, uncomfortable, religious meals Cleo forced upon us.I hoped Sarah had this every year for the rest of her life.
Eighteen
Wilder
The laughter coming from the living room of my mom’s house filled my ears the moment I opened the front door.Belladonna came rounding the corner, sliding slightly on the tiled floor, then coming to an abrupt stop when she realized it was me.Her head tilted to the side, as if she wasn’t sure she was happy to see me.The poor pup probably realized that my appearance meant that Oakley would be leaving.
