Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Are they here?” I hear Ellie call out. She comes rushing down the hallway as we step into the house and almost plows Lily off her feet.
“Careful,” I mutter.
“I’m so glad to meet you,” Ellie tells Lily. “I told Callan if he didn’t bring you around, I’d break into his apartment.”
Lily lets out a chuckle. “Hi, Ellie.” She glances at everyone. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
Naomi joins us, and I have to wait as everyone talks to Lily before I’m able to pull her back to my side.
Dad looks at us with a twinkle of mischievousness in his eyes. “I was starting to think Callan was never going to bring a girl home. I have so many embarrassing stories to tell you.”
“Dad,” I grumble.
“Don’t shush your father,” Lily chastises me. She walks closer to Dad, and hooking her arm through his, she says, “Tell me everything.”
With a smile curving my lips, I follow them into the living room, and when Dad sits down next to Lily, I have no choice but to sit on the recliner.
Ellie slides up to my side and whispers, “She’s so pretty. Did you talk to her?”
I nod. “Lily’s fine with you staying with us while you study.”
Ellie's face brightens up at the news. “She is?’
“Yes. She’s actually looking forward to it.”
“I’m so happy!” Ellie gives me a quick hug before moving to sit on the armrest next to Lily. “Callan told me the good news,” she interrupts their conversation.
“What good news?” Lily asks.
“That it’s okay if I stay with you,” Ellie explains.
“Oh.” A smile spreads over my woman’s face. “I can’t wait. It will be fun.”
There’s a knock a the door, and Naomi goes to open it.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” I hear Harper say.
I get up as Harper and Daniel enter the living room, and I shake Daniel’s hand. “I’m glad you're here. I need your help silencing my father. He’s telling Lily all my embarrassing moments.”
Daniel lets out a burst of laughter. “Hell no, brother. I’m here for the show.”
We all find a place to sit, and I watch as Lily gets to know the important people in my life. They keep vying for her attention, which has me smiling.
“Callan.” My eyes turn to Harper, then she says, “We need to talk about the meeting –”
A chorus of ‘no’ fills the air.
“No talking about work,” Dad orders with a stern look at Harper and me.
We both start to laugh because they fall for the same thing every time. It’s Harper’s favorite way to get them riled up.
“Let’s move to the dining room,” Naomi says before hurrying back to the kitchen.
I follow after her and help by carrying the massive golden brown turkey to the table.
When I take a seat next to Lily, I grip her hand beneath the table and lean in to whisper, “How are you holding up?”
Her eyes sparkle with happiness as she admits, “It’s amazing. Your family is so welcoming.”
Knowing they’ve already accepted Lily, I correct her, “Our family.”
Lily
Henry, Callan’s father, clears his throat, then says, “I’ll start.” The room grows quiet before he continues, “I’m thankful for my family, their health, and the delicious food my beautiful wife prepared.”
When I walked into the house, I felt overwhelmed, but they’ve all gone out of their way to make me feel welcome.
The atmosphere is loving and peaceful, which is something I never experienced growing up. Our Thanksgivings were always stiff, as if we were all attending a business meeting.
“I’m thankful I didn’t burn the turkey,” Naomi says, then she glances lovingly around the table. “And I’m thankful for another year with my loved ones.”
“My turn.” Ellie clears her throat. “I’m thankful I’m almost done with school.”
“You still have college,” Callan mutters beside me.
She levels Callan with a scowl. “You know what I mean.”
Daniel is next, but Harper has to elbow him before he says, “I’m thankful you’re all here to witness how Harper abuses me.”
She gives him a shocked expression.
He lets out a chuckle. “I’m thankful for my wife, who’s the most amazing woman I know.”
“That’s better,” she mutters playfully before saying, “I’m thankful the company’s tenth-anniversary celebration is over and that it went well.”
“Christ, you and me both,” Callan agrees. He gives my hand a squeeze and locks eyes with me. “I’m thankful that somehow I got you to fall in love with me.”
I grin at Callan until I realize it’s my turn.
Oh shit.
I glance at everyone, and still trying to think of something to say, the truth spills over my lips, “I’m just thankful Callan agreed to escort me to dinner.”
“He jumped on your application like white on rice,” Harper mentions, making everyone laugh.
Henry gets up and starts to cut pieces off the turkey, then places a couple of slices on everyone’s plate.
The conversation starts to flow, and I get lost in watching Callan’s family and friends tease each other.