I reached for her and she shook her head. “No way. We’ve been gone too long.” She pushed me out the door and took a right down the hall toward the bathroom with a little wave.
“Shit.” I made sure my shirt was tucked in and I didn’t look like I just debauched Sadie and Thomas’s freaking daughter. One helluva way to start Thanksgiving dinner.
Too cowardly to go in alone, I waited for her to finish in the bathroom. Her lips were a little puffy from my kisses and her phenomenal skills with making me go brain-dead. She laced her fingers with mine and pulled me into the delicious scents of family and home.
If I wasn’t already in love with Amber, her secret smile over her shoulder would have done the job.
And when we sat down and gave thanks, I didn’t need another damn thing in my life right then.
After dinner, James, Amber, and I cleaned up while another football game was in the background. When everything waswrapped up, I took the plate Sadie had made for my dad with me.
“Tomorrow’s the day.”
“It is.” I stood with her on the back porch.
“I’m proud of you, Tate. I know it’s going to be amazing.”
“I couldn’t have done it without my team. Thanks for sticking with me even though it’s been nuts.”
“I loved watching it come to life. Now comes the crazy part.”
“It wasn’t crazy enough?” I laughed.
“Now it gets people-y.” She cupped my face and brought me down to meet her mouth. “Say hi to your dad for me.”
“I will. Tell your mom thanks again for feeding the both of us.” I brushed her nose with mine. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
I could see the worry in her eyes. “Remember, Rudolph.”
She tapped her nose. “I probably look like Rudolph right now.”
“Maybe a little.” I gave her another quick kiss. “Get inside, it’s cold.”
The rain had let it up, leaving a misty ring around the farm. I walked through the village with all the lights off making it feel like it was sleeping one last moment before showtime.
I climbed the last trail to the fence line of my father’s part of the farm. A few of the horses were out grazing now that the worst of the weather had passed. My dad’s cabin was tucked at the very back corner of the property against the tree line. A stream of lazy smoke rose from his chimney. All the lights were off save for the familiar flickering of the television.
I’d hoped all the commotion would pull him out of his cabin to check things out, but as usual, he stayed to himself.
I’d learned long ago not to take it too personally that he’d retreated from the world. I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d react if I lost the love of my life.
The pang that hit me as Amber’s name popped into my mind nearly took me out at the knees.
Maybe I’d react much the same.
I knocked before I opened the door. “Hey, Pop.”
He grunted from his recliner. He had an old quilt over his legs and his salt-and-pepper hair stood up as if he’d put his fingers through it.
“Sadie and Thomas sent you a plate.”
“Appreciate it.”
“Do you want it now or put it in the kitchen?”
“Kitchen.” His eyes barely left the television.
