“Short, sweet, and meaningful.” James smiled from across the table. “My kind of prayer.”
Her dad shook his head. “Ignore myeldestchild. Shall I start with the squirrel?”
“Go ahead,” she told him.
“I’m thankful for making new friends while here.” He smiled at the Fords then passed it to Mom.
Taking it, Mom rested her eyes on all her kids, one at a time, from oldest to youngest. “I’m thankful to have all my children under one roof this Thanksgiving.”
Julie’s turn came next. “I’m thankful Mom and Dad finally agreed to let Jess and I get an apartment off campus.”
Jessie winked “And I’m thankful we move in as soon as we get back and that I get the master bedroom.”
“I’m thankful for my sisters.” Almost as an afterthought, James added, “Even if two of them do want to grow up too soon.”
Janie agreed with him, but the twins scrunched their faces at him before switching to smiles.
Mr. Ford accepted the figurine from James. “I’m thankful for Janie’s invitation to join these wonderful people for dinner.”
A tear glistened in Mrs. Ford’s eyes. “I’m thankful that although my children can’t be with us today, they are sharing meals with their own loving families and none of them will be alone.”
Malcolm took the squirrel with trembling hands. “I haven’t had a real Thanksgiving meal since I joined the Corps. This reminds me of the celebrations back home, so I’m thankful for Janie reaching out and welcoming me into her home.”
His words touched a deep chord within her, and tears burned her eyes. She’d put aside her grief to extend the invitation, and the reward was greater than she could have imagined.
“My turn?” Jared stared at the squirrel for several seconds before answering. “I’m thankful to be on American soil this Thanksgiving, and Lord willing, every Thanksgiving from here out.”
He glanced at her as if ensuring his answer hadn’t upset her.
“Since it’s not my turn yet, this isn’t my official answer, but I second that.” She circled the table, kissing the cheek of Evan, Jared, Malcolm, and Mr. Ford—all men she held to the highest regard. Returning to her spot, she wiped her eyes. “Thank you each for your service so that we’re free to join here today without restriction.”
“How am I supposed to follow that up?” Evan’s voice wavered through the humor in his tone. “I’m thankful for God and His healing grace. Without it, I don’t know where I’d be today.”
Her dad’s arm moved behind her and squeezed Evan’s shoulder. “God is good.”
Janie picked up the squirrel from the table. “I’m thankful to each of you for being here today. I didn’t know how I’d survive this first Thanksgiving after Mike’s death, but the presence of each of you here means more to me than I can express. Thank you for your support this last year, and for not giving up on me.”
She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. Something brushed against her, and she looked down to see Evan’s hand covering hers under the table. For this moment, she’d indulge and not move.
“Thank you for your friendship,” she said, so low no one else could hear.
He squeezed her hand, silently telling her, “Thanks for yours, too.”
Chapter Six
An upbeat Christmas song played over the airport’s radio system. Evan had seen no less than three decorated trees since arriving at the airport, not including those outside that were strung with hundreds of multi-colored lights.
“Have I mentioned that I’ve never been on an airplane?” Janie stood with her carry-on bag beside her as they waited to board the plane.
“Never?” Incredulous, he arched a brow. “That’s a long drive from Iowa to North Carolina.”
“Twenty hours, give or take.”
“How come you didn’t fly?” He still found the fact hard to believe.
“At first, because it was cheaper to drive, and we were broke. We drove a fifteen-year-old sedan that first trip to North Carolina.” Her gaze darted from the window to the tarmac and then to the plane waiting to be loaded. “After the first two trips, we discovered we liked the drive. It was a nice downtime to enjoy each other’s company.”
“That makes sense.” Peering ahead, he watched a couple in line argue over who would hold a gift during the flight. Apparently, they’d purchased a fragile music box as a gift for their niece but hadn’t considered the specifics of transporting it cross country. He was surprised it was allowed on the plane in this day of heightened security.
