Chapter Nine
Holding a pie in one hand, Paige rang the doorbell to Wes’s parents’ house. Thankfully, she’d met his parents last week—though she’d unofficially met his mom at the farm—so she didn’t have those nerves to contend with. His mom had put her immediately at ease with her kindness, and his dad reminded her of Abe Lincoln with a Santa Claus personality.
Wes opened the door, dressed in a pair of casual slacks and a navy sweater. He stepped on the porch and closed the door behind him, giving them a few minutes of privacy. “I’m glad you could come.”
“Me too.” She handed him the pie. “I brought this. Mom insisted.”
“Perfect since Dad dropped our pie while bringing it in.”
Her eyes widened. “He didn’t!”
“Unfortunately, yes.” He chuckled. “Good thing you weren’t here ten minutes ago, or you would have witnessed my parents in a rare fight.” His eyes twinkled. “And by fight, I mean, Mom chiding Dad for trying to bring in everything on one trip instead of making multiple ones.”
“I can sympathize. I prefer getting it all in at once.”
Holding the pie to his side, he leaned forward and surprised her with a kiss. After he broke contact, he backed away and winked. “Sorry, but not really. I’ve been thinking about that all day.”
Giddy butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “You can do that anytime, no apology needed.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Feeling the heat of a blush creep up her neck to her cheeks, she smiled bashfully. “How did the visit go?”
“Really well until the end.”
“What happened?”
“Myla didn’t want to leave.” The corners of his mouth turned down. “She cried herself to sleep on the way home.”
Paige’s heart ripped in two for Wes’s sweet niece. “I can’t imagine how hard it is for her.”
“Me either, but when she woke up, she seemed better. We took lots of pictures of the two of them together and seeing them makes her smile.”
“How’s Jenna?”
“Like a whole new person.” His frown turned around. “I know there’s still a long road ahead, but she’s trying hard to turn her life around. In a few months, she’ll get to start vocational training so she can find a career job once she finishes the program.”
“Sounds like a tremendous facility.”
“It is. They don’t only treat the addiction, but the whole person. Jenna even shared with us about a devotion she’d read that morning.” Excitement quickened his pace of speech. “For years, she’s refused to have anything to do with God, and now she’s proactively sharing what she’s learning about him.”
“That’s a miracle from Him.” Though she ached for the pain Myla experienced, she found joy in hearing about Jenna’s recovery. She said a short, silent prayer that they’d all have a happy ending.
The door opened, and Mrs. Caldwell stuck out her head. “Happy Thanksgiving, Paige.”
“Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.”
“Dinner is on the table whenever you two are ready. Better hurry before Dad eats all the turkey. I’ve already caught him sneaking two pieces.” Mrs. Caldwell flashed a grin before returning inside.
Wes grabbed her hand. “That’s our cue.”
They went inside and founds seats at the table after Wes added the pie to the counter. Mr. Caldwell sat on the far end, Myla and Mrs. Caldwell on one side, then she and Wes on the other. Each plate had a rust-colored cloth napkin wrapped with an acorn napkin ring made from rhinestones. A table runner matching the napkins had been placed down the center of the oval heirloom table. Wes’s mom must have transferred the food from the takeout containers because each menu item had been placed in white porcelain serving bowls and trays.
Mr. Caldwell led the family in a prayer of Thanksgiving before the meal began. After the prayer, he looked at each of them. “This hasn’t been an easy year, but the Lord’s given us many things to be grateful for, and I just want to take a minute to tell each of you I’m thankful God placed you into my life.” He made eye contact with Paige. “Even though we’ve only recently met you, you’re included. You’ve been a bright spot in my son’s life during a difficult time, and that means a lot.”
Her heart filled with love for this family, and she choked out a similar sentiment to express her gratefulness for welcoming her with open arms.
“Now, it’s time to enjoy this meal so lovingly prepared by Down Home Café.” Mr. Caldwell lifted the turkey platter and served his wife.
