His eyes closed, but he pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Take her home. Jaz can drive me when I’m done.”
“Are you sure?”
“Mmm. Yes.” Darkness was closing in. He was so tired, and his head was spinning.
The soft brush of her lips on his was the last thing he felt before he drifted to sleep.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Delaney had never celebrated Thanksgiving away from her parents and sisters, away from Maine.
But here at the Aylett house, she felt at home. And she had so much to thank God for.
Steam rose from the pot of mashed potatoes as Noah stirred in the butter and cream, then mashed them like they were an enemy.
“You’ve won the battle.” Delaney nudged his shoulder with hers as she reached for the salt.
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Just making sure there are no lumps. Charlotte hates lumps.”
“Charlotte hates green beans, too, but she’ll try some today.” Delaney pulled casseroles from the second oven and covered them with foil.
He transferred the potatoes to a serving dish. “But it’s Thanksgiving.” His voice took on a whiny note, making her laugh. She loved how attuned he was to his daughter’s preferences.
His daughter.
Both Violet and Jasper had waived their parental rights—Violet had refused at first, but her attorney had advised herthat doing so might help her legal case. Considering she’d be in prison until Charlotte was an adult, there was no reason for her not to relinquish her rights.
Jasper’s signature on the paperwork had arrived via courier, the man himself conspicuously absent since the day after the dramatic confrontation at the abandoned house. He’d stayed just long enough to make sure his brother was going to be okay, then taken off.
The adoption wasn’t final yet, but Noah’s attorney assured him the state would rush it through, since he was a relative—and he’d had custody for months.
It might not be legal yet, but Charlotte was his daughter in every important sense of the word.
Delaney had stayed on as Charlotte’s nanny, but she’d rented an apartment outside of town. She drove over every morning in her new car—another Highlander, like the old one—and was off the clock every afternoon when Noah got home from work, though she usually stayed to have dinner with him and Charlotte. Sometimes, Noah hired a babysitter, and the two of them went out on a date.
In the three weeks since the incident, they’d only grown closer.
She didn’t know what it would mean long term, but for now, she was happy with this little family. And if she dreamed of being a part of them someday…
That was up to God. He’d taken care of her this long. He could be trusted with her future.
“The turkey’s been resting long enough,” she said. “Will you carve it?”
Noah wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “I’m not ready to join the mayhem.”
“Mayhem? They’re your friends.”
“They’reourfriends, and I’m glad they’re here. But that doesn’t keep me from wishing for one moment alone with you.”
She snuggled against him. His wound was still covered with a bandage, but it was healing, as was hers. When all was said and done, they’d have similar scars, though hers would be hidden by her hair.
Things could have turned out so differently. She thanked God every day that He’d spared them all. Even Violet, who was currently in a mental hospital while she awaited her trial.
He backed away, reached into the pantry, and came out with a grocery sack. He pulled a gift bag from it. “I wanted to give you something and…it’s probably stupid, and the timing is terrible, but…” He shrugged. “I want you to have it now.”
She took the bag. “Our family didn’t exchange Thanksgiving presents.”
“This is more of a… Just open it.”
