Page 99 of Harvest Heat

Lured back in by his sweet smile, Caleb reached for him again, but Rhys shook his head. “Go, or we’re going to be late. We can’t deprive them of the marshmallows.”

Caleb laughed. The casserole was one of the few dishes Rhys could make. His mother had always made sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving, and Rhys had loved them so much he’d insisted she teach him how.

A few moments later, Rhys came out with Caleb’s latte in a to-go cup. Caleb had been trying to stand where Agnes, who was walking down the street, couldn’t see him, but she noticed Rhys immediately.

She waved enthusiastically and veered toward them. “Hello there. Happy Thanksgiving. I just love that you two are spending your first holiday together.”

“I was happy to stay in town to celebrate,” Caleb said.

“Aww. You’re such an adorable couple. What are you taking to the Moores’ house?”

Of course she knew they were going to the Moores’ Thanksgiving. Caleb wanted to reach for Rhys’s hand. He knew this type of attention made him nervous, but Rhys surprised him. “We made my mom’s sweet potato casserole and oyster dressing.”

“Perfect. I’m so glad you’re continuing your mom’s traditions.” She patted Caleb on the arm. “You’re one lucky man.”

“Happy Thanksgiving, Agnes,” Caleb said. “We’d better get going.”

“Oh, don’t let me hold you up. I’ll see you tomorrow at the Small Business Friday celebration.”

She hurried off down the street, and Caleb pulled Rhys to him. “You’re amazing.”

Rhys frowned. “What did I do?”

“You didn’t even look rattled when she cooed over us.”

“Oh, I’m used to it now.”

“That’s a big deal.”

“I don’t think⁠—”

“Rhys.”

“Okay, I guess it is, but being with you is… it’s too good to hide.”

Caleb kissed him again. This time, he had to fight for control. He couldn’t keep things soft and gentle. Finally, Rhys pushed him away. “No show for the neighbors.”

Caleb grinned as he caught his breath. “I’ll just have to wait until I can get a repeat of last night.”

Rhys’s cheeks were bright pink, and Caleb loved how flustered he looked. “Get in the truck.”

Tessa, Finn, and their family welcomed Caleb, and none of them made a big deal out of his relationship with Rhys. He’d met Mr. and Mrs. Moore several times. They’d been into Cloud Nine, and he’d seen them around town, so the only family member who was new to him was Rowan, Tessa and Finn’s younger brother, who’d flown in from New York. Rowan was so much like Tessa that Caleb felt like he already knew him.

It took a while to finish up food prep and warm things back up, but finally, everyone took their seats around the table.

Mrs. Moore called everyone to attention. “Before we dig into our feast, let’s all share something we’re thankful for.”

Tessa went first. She said how thankful she was to have a loving family who could be together and friends like Rhys and Caleb to share the day with. Finn said essentially the same thing, and then it was Rhys’s turn.

“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to, dear,” Mrs. Moore said. But Rhys shook his head.

“I’ll share, because I’m extra thankful this year that I met Caleb and that we needed to work together for the festival so we could find out that… well, that we love each other.”

“Oh my gosh, that is just too sweet,” Mrs. Moore said.

Tessa’s eyes were wet with tears, and it was all Caleb could do to hold his own back. He reached for Rhys’s hand and laced their fingers together.

“That’s the first time you’ve ever shared at Thanksgiving,” Tessa said.