Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
My mouth dropped open. “But…football is on, Mom.”
She gave me that look that told me I had better stop talking, and I let out a frustrated sigh and said, “Yes, ma’am.”
Pressing her lips together to contain her smile, Harmony looked back down at the mashed potatoes. My mother walked up to me and kissed me on the cheek. “That’s a good boy.” Turning, she reached into the oven and pulled out a pumpkin pie. The smell filled the kitchen and Harmony and I both let out a moan. Laughing, my mother put the pie in the middle of the island.
Wiping her hands off, she leaned against the counter and looked from Harmony to me. “I was telling Harmony how beautiful she looked today.”
Harmony’s eyes captured mine and she smiled the most beautiful smile ever. Smiling back, I said, “She does.” Harmony had her hair braided to the side and had on jeans and a baby-blue shirt that made her eyes even more insanely blue. We had lain in bed for a few hours that morning talking before Harmony crawled on top of me and took me to heaven and back.
“She has a…glow…about her. Wouldn’t you say, Preston?”
A beautiful flush swept over Harmony’s face. Walking up to her, I placed my hands on the sides of her face and ran my thumbs over her skin as her lips slightly parted. We hadn’t talked about letting anyone know what had happened between us, but I needed to kiss her. Right at that moment, I needed to kiss her.
Brushing my lips across hers, I gently kissed her. Pulling my head back, I said, “She certainly does, Mom.”
Harmony smiled and shook her head slowly. Dropping my hands, I took a few steps back when I heard Wes and Angie heading into the kitchen. Giving Harmony a wink, I turned and finished gathering all the dishes for the table. Taking a peek at my mother, I saw tears in her eyes. Quickly gaining her composure, she shouted orders out to everyone as I attempted to calm my racing heart.
Everyone began bringing out the plethora of food my mother, Angie, and Harmony had cooked. Dad brought out the turkey and got ready to carve it. The smells of the turkey mixed with all the other smells had me ready to eat. Everyone groaned when Dad stood up and cleared his throat and got ready to give his yearly speech. Harmony had met my grandmother and grandfather earlier, and my grandfather was stuck on her like glue.
Glancing over at Harmony, I was taken away by her laughter. Granddad was saying something to her that had her laughing. Covering her mouth, Harmony shook her head and looked across the table at me. Dropping her hand, she smiled. Her eyes looked so happy. My heart was soaring above the clouds. I never wanted this feeling to end.
“Now, I know how much everyone loves my yearly speeches,” my father said as everyone let out another groan. Harmony giggled as she watched my father.
“This year is going to be different, though. I have not prepared a long speech.”
Angie clapped as my father shot her a dirty look. “Sorry, Daddy. I got kind of excited at the thought of actually eating Thanksgiving dinner before it got cold.”
Glaring and pointing his finger at her, my father said, “Watch it, young lady.” Smiling innocently, my sister blew him a kiss. Looking around the table, my father cleared his throat. “This Thanksgiving, I think, has been one of my favorites so far. Seeing my children happy is probably the greatest thing to be thankful for. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that we’ve all had a little…Harmony…come into our lives.” Everyone laughed as Harmony rolled her eyes and shook her head while she laughed. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Honestly, it’s been an honor having you with us this year, Harmony.”
Harmony’s smile faded some as her voice cracked when she spoke. “Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your family holiday.”
Angie reached for Harmony’s hand and took ahold of it. “You brought a breath of fresh air to us all, Harmony.”
Looking down, Harmony let out a nervous laugh. “I…I’m not sure what to say…but thank you.”
My father clapped his hands and said, “All right, let’s do this. It’s give-thanks time.” Leaning over the table, I told Harmony, “Everyone has to give thanks for one thing that has happened to them this year.”
Harmony nodded and gave me a smile.
Finn was the first to give his thanks, followed by Wes, Angie, my grandparents, and my mother. Everyone looked at me as I stared at Harmony. Pulling my eyes from her, I glanced around the table as I smiled.
“Preston, you’re up!” Angie said.
Clearing my throat, I stood and said, “I have a lot to be thankful for this year.”