I glanced at Knox.Told you, my look said. The corner of his mouth tilted upward in a suppressed smile.
“It would be my pleasure,” Knox replied.
“Ellie, do you want to go first or last?” Connor asked, putting his arm around the squirmingtoddler.
“First!” She exclaimed, jumping up and down.
Her mother chuckled. “What a shock,” said Colleen, pinching Ellie’s cheek.
“Okay then. Ellie, what are you thankful for?” Connor prompted.
“Ummmmmm…” Ellie put her finger to her chin, eyebrows scrunched, clearly thinking hard. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she leaped to her feet. “Elmo!!” She held her stuffed Elmo above her head proudly.
We all dissolved into laughter. I was surprised to see how heartily Knox laughed along.
“Okay, Connor, your turn,” I said as Ellie settled back onto the couch between her parents.
“I’m thankful for my beautiful family and for special holiday traditions,” Connor answered.
Colleen piped up, “That’s my answer as well.”
Typical, I thought. I loved them, but sometimes theirLeave it to Beaverlife made me roll my eyes.
“Birdie, how about you?” Colleen asked.
I paused, considering. “The opportunity to visit this beautiful country and make new friends.”
Connor rolled his eyes. Colleen gave him a look that I knew meantBe nice.
“And last but not least. Knox, what’s something that you’re thankful for?” Colleen asked, turning back to the camera.
Knox paused. I was about to jump in to tell him he didn’t have to answer when he spoke.
“Well, I guess tonight I’m thankful for the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving for the first time in fifteen years,” he said, looking from my family to where I sat beside him. I caught his gaze and my heart caught in my throat at the gratitude in his eyes.
“Okay, well, uh, we should probably let you guys go,” Istammered, turning back toward the camera. “Our food is getting cold, and I know someone could probably use a nap before her grandma and grandpa get there.” Right on cue, Ellie yawned, rubbing her eyes.
“No, I not tired!” she protested.
“Mmhmm, sure,” my brother said, scooping her up. She nuzzled her curly head against his shoulder.
“Have a good rest of the evening,” Colleen said. “Happy Thanksgiving! Lovely to meet you, Knox. We love you, Birdie!”
“Love you guys, too. Happy Thanksgiving," I said, reaching for my iPad.
“Happy Thanksgiving. Nice to meet you,” Knox intoned as I hung up the call.
I turned to Knox. “Thanks for hanging in there through that. Time to eat!”
“So, how did you manage to get all of this food?” Knox asked, helping himself to a second slice of chocolate tart. “Chef Bruno isn’t exactly known for being overly friendly.”
“Chef Bruno just hadn’t met me before,” I winked at Knox, setting aside my empty plate. I knew I would probably end up eating another plate of dessert before I went to bed, but for now I needed to let the rest of the meal digest.
Knox eyed me, raising a brow as he chewed a bite of tart.
I laughed. “Look. I’ve been waiting tables for a while. I know how to charm and befriend grumpy line cooks. You never know when having them on your side will come in handy. When I got here, I just made sure I befriended the kitchen staff. Did you know that Bruno has a two-year-old grandson and a Weimaraner he adores in almost equal measure? Turns out, he was happy to make me as traditional of a Thanksgiving meal ashe could when I asked. He was really upset that he couldn’t get me an actual turkey. Although I’d say the game hens weren’t a bad substitute.”
Knox sat back against the loveseat and nodded. “Considering we picked them clean, I’d say they were more than satisfactory,” he chuckled. Eugene whined from where he was now sprawled across my bed. “Oh, don’t act like you didn’t get a bite,” Knox scolded, rolling his eyes at his dog. He turned back to me. “I have to say I’m impressed, though. It’s not every day that you see people befriend the household staff.”
