She reached in and pulled out a package of hair bows more suited to Charlotte than to her. “Wow. They’re pretty.” But as the words came out, they triggered her memory of that terrible day when she was eight years old and had failed to protect Kenzie.
Noah didn’t laugh, just stepped closer and took the package. He tossed it on the counter next to the potatoes. “They’re a symbol. I was trying to say something at the hospital, but I don’t think I said it properly.”
“You were a little out of it.”
He took her hands and looked into her eyes. “I love the way you love my daughter, but that’s not why I love you. I love you because…just you. You’re everything I want. You’re a great nanny, and you’ll be a wonderful mother. But also, you deserve to have all the hair ties and…whatever you want.” His lips pressed into a grimace. “I’m not saying this right. It’s that…I love that you love her.”
“And you,” Delaney said.
His smile was slight. “And me, yes. But you need to know that you matter too. What you want, what you need. You matter to me. What I love about you is…you. It’s not what you do. It’s who you are.”
“Oh.” Suddenly, those were the most precious hair bows she’d ever seen. She stepped into his arms, amazed at this man who’d known exactly what she needed to hear.
They stood like that for a long moment.
“I’m so thankful for you.” He tipped her chin up and tenderly touched his lips to hers.
Charlotte darted into the kitchen, took one look at them, and yelled to the other room, “They’re kissing again!”
Delaney stepped away, laughing.
Noah groaned. “I need to talk to her about timing.”
Lowell joined Charlotte at the door. “You two need to focus. We’re hungry out here.”
“Five minutes.” Delaney grabbed serving spoons for all the side dishes while Noah carved the turkey.
Through the kitchen doorway, she could see Charlotte twirling among the guests in the living room, her curly hair bouncing as she showed off her new dress to anyone who would look. Her laughter carried over the murmur of conversation, a sound that still made Delaney’s heart squeeze with love and relief. She was healing. It’d been traumatic, but she was a strong kid.
Ellen, Richard’s wife, approached from the dining room. “The table looks beautiful, Delaney.”
“Thank you.” She’d spent the morning arranging autumn leaves and small pumpkins down the center of the long dining table. That first day when she’d admired the crystal on the sideboard—it felt like a lifetime ago. Back then, she’d worried about what kind of man Noah was, worried she wouldn’t be able to trust him.
Now, watching Charlotte giggle as she played with Lowell’s son, Bryce, Delaney felt the rightness of this home, this life, settle deep into her bones. She returned to the kitchen and ladled gravy into a gravy boat, inhaling the rich scent of turkey drippings and herbs. “Will you take this in?”
“Of course!” Ellen turned to the room and clapped. “Everybody, come help!”
Within minutes, the food had been transferred to the dining room, and everyone had gathered around the table. They’d had to bring chairs from other rooms so they’d all fit. It was tight, but worth it to be together.
Lowell had accepted Noah’s invitation. It was a little awkward as Noah and his old friend worked to mend their relationship. But they were there. Lowell was trying, and Noah, wonderful man that he was, had forgiven Lowell for everything he’d done. It didn’t hurt that Lowell had thrown his support behind Noah and his company. They’d signed the merger papers a week before.
Noah waited until everyone was seated, then sat at the head of the table, Delaney on one side, Charlotte on the other.
“When I was a kid,” he said, “Mom used to make us go around the table and say what we’re thankful for. You all know what I’m most thankful for today.” His gaze skimmed to his daughter, then landed on Delaney. “Obviously, God has been”—he swallowed hard—“really good to me this year.”
“Amen.” Richard’s deep voice resonated around the room, and the rest of them murmured similar sentiments.
Lowell cleared his throat. “I’m thankful for…forgiveness and second chances.”
“Me too, my friend,” Noah said.
Charlotte bounced in her seat like she was dying to say something.
“How about you, Charlie-Bear?” Noah prompted. “What are you thankful for?”
“Daddy, and Miss Laney, and apple pie!”
Her lighthearted answer had them all laughing, and then eating and talking and teasing and sharing stories.
