She grinned at him.He was impossible to argue with.“Okay, if you insist.”
Thirteen
As it was, Miles had already said too much about Roy.He had to stop himself from going on rants.
Yet how could he stay quiet?The guy was a despicable coward.
Having twins wasn’t easy, but how did Roy think Annie felt?How could this guy decide it was all too much for him, then run off to the city and leave his wife and kids?
And to tell Annie he’d use the island as his home base because he needed his own space?The audacitywas unreal.
Heat crept up Miles’ neck every time he thought about it.
Maybe that was why he couldn’t stop talking about it.He found Roy’s behavior so ridiculous, so outrageous that he was compelled to tell Annie.She needed to know it wasn’t her fault.She needed to know any reasonable person who heard her side of the story would feel the same outrage.
What was Roy’s side of the story?What story did he tell himself?That Annie refused to move to Seattle, and that was why he didn’t see his kids?
He could tell Annie tried to hold herself back.She stayed polite.She didn’t want to “gossip.”As far as Miles was concerned, Annie wasn’t outraged enough.
Whatever the reason, it didn’t matter.He had to let it go and focus his attention on Thanksgiving, and on not bringing it up again.Bella was thrilled when she heard they’d be hosting Annie’s little family.
“Do you think the twins would like pumpkin pie?”she asked.
“I think they would love pumpkin pie,” Miles told her.
She grinned.“I’m gonna make everything from scratch, even the crust,” she said.“I’ll need your credit card to get this place ready.It’s not fit for guests.”
Normally he wouldn’t hand his card over for such a request, but she was right.They hadn’t hosted in years.Last year, they’d taken an Alaskan cruise during Bella’s holiday break.It had been an epic adventure, but it left them without proper placemats, as Bella pointed out.
When Thanksgiving arrived, Miles could admit they’d both gone a bit overboard.Bella went all out on the house: rich wine-colored linens for the table, monogrammed cloth napkins, golden turkey napkin rings, new dishes and serving platters, and an ornate turkey-shaped candelabra where the long candles made up the turkey’s tail feathers.She also bought an apron for Miles, head chef, with a turkey face prominently displayed on his chest.
For his part, Miles cooked two turkeys – one in the oven, and one deep fried.He made vegetarian and non-vegetarian stuffing, mashed potatoes and candied sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with a balsamic drizzle, homemade dinner rolls, corn bread, and just for kicks, a side of sloppy joes.
That was for the twins.He wasn’t sure what they’d like from the spread, so he’d made something he knew they’d enjoy.
To top it off, he crafted a fall-inspired sangria and covered half of the kitchen island with an extensive charcuterie spread with various cheeses, meats, nuts, and dried fruit.The twins had their own charcuterie board with crackers, mozzarella cheese, and bites of chocolate.
It was enough food to feed the fire station, but he couldn’t help himself.Before dinner, he sent Bella down to help Annie pack up the twins, their highchairs, and her mom.
Miles stayed back, putting on the finishing touches as he transferred the sides to their fancy new dishes, soft music playing in the background.
The door opened and a flurry of noise poured into the peaceful kitchen.
“Okay, okay,” Clara repeated loudly.“Noel, I will pick you up after Leon’s turn is done.”
“NO!”she screamed.
“Mom, you’re not supposed to be picking them up anyway.They’re too heavy,” Annie said.
“Nonsense.I feel great.”
Miles filled two glasses with sangria, making sure to throw in a few cranberries, and walked out to greet them.
“Happy Thanksgiving!”he called.
Annie looked up, catching his eye as she took off her coat.She wore a velvet red dress, the fabric catching the light with her every move, clinging to her curves like liquid silk.
Miles’ breath caught in his chest.
