by Ciara Knight
She read where the arrow pointed to James 1:6. But when you ask you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown, and tossed by the wind.
The light changed, but she didn’t move. An overwhelming calmness fell over her. “Oh Frank. You are one special man.” She swung her car around and raced to the B&B, unable to contain her excitement, the overwhelming desire to open her heart and take a chance.
At the sight of the B&B and all the people, a nervous energy took hold, but she got out of the car and held Frank’s gift to her heart. Everyone congregated in a large room talking about what they were thankful for, but when she stepped inside, Chase’s gaze darted to her and all eyes followed.
Silence. Something she’d never witnessed form the Roberts clan. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
Ally scooted forward in her chair. “Please join us.”
Jack and Erin, Emma and Cooper, Bri and her man, Bekah and her man, Mike, Spike, and their significant others were all housed in one side of the room. On the other were Sam and Lina, Molly and Charlie, and Rex and Ally. Not to mention more Roberts she didn’t even know. “I…I don’t mean to intrude.”
“No intrusion,” Mike said waving her into the room.
Mia stepped around the back of the large sofa where Mike, Zach, Spike and Amy sat. “I would like to share something that I’m thankful for.”
Molly nodded. “Go ahead, hon.”
Mia took a long breath and locked gazes with Chase, he didn’t look happy. “I’m thankful that my career brought me to Silver Springs. That I met so many amazing people.” Chase stood and turned to leave. “I’m thankful for what feels like family for the first time in my life.” He stopped and turned back to face her.
She took a stuttered breath and held tight to Frank’s words. “Frank. I’m most thankful for Frank because he gave me so much.”
Chase’s lips pressed together in a firm line, and she knew he wasn’t following her so she had to get to the point, even if he turned her away in front of everyone.
“You were right about one thing, Chase. Actually, you were right about a lot of things.” She rounded the chair that housed Emma on Cooper’s lap. “Ally gave me this, and said Frank wanted me to have it.” She held up the bible. “You said Frank always had to have the last word. Well, even after he has passed on, he still had to tell me something.” She opened the bible and read the passage. When she looked up Chase hadn’t moved, hadn’t shown any sign of understanding. “You said I was running away because I was scared and you were right. I didn’t have to get to my mother. Heck, I don’t even know where my mother is. I haven’t known family for a long time. My family died the day my brother lost his life and only decayed from there. I had to hold my parents up when he was gone, then my mother when my father left. I’ve always been the one to hold my family up. I’ve never leaned on anyone. And then you were there. Offering support, but how would the broken, one-armed man be able to handle his own issues let alone keep me from falling.” She swallowed the lump rising and the threat of tears.
Whispers between Roberts were scattered throughout the room and she wanted to crawl underneath the nearest love seat and hide, but she wouldn’t. “Then you showed me how strong you are and how a family can support one another. I’m not sure if there are any families in the world like the Roberts, but I know your family is nothing like what I had. Each of you are exceptional.” She broke and tears slid down her cheeks and then she realized several of the girls were crying. Even some of the men swiped a wayward tear. She only hoped Chase felt her words, too.
She dared to step closer to within an arm length from him. “Chase, you were right. I do care for you. I more than care for you and that scares me, but sometimes you just have to have faith. Thanks to Frank and his last words, I believe a family can be all that I’ve witnessed since coming to Silver Springs. A family can stick around, can support you, can love you.” Her voice cracked.
Chase lifted his chin. “It takes courage to come into the Roberts lair and say all this in front of everyone. You’re braver than you think.”
Mia sniffled and sucked in a quick breath. “I don’t expect you to trust me right now, but if the offer stills stands, I’m going to remain in Silver Springs. It’s time for me to let go of my past and look for what comes next in my life. I guess I’m trying to tell you that yes, I felt that kiss. Yes, I do care for you. And, yes, I want to stay with you. That is, if you want me to.”
Chase closed the step between them and his good hand slid to the nape of her neck, his amputated arm to her waist. “You had me at your entrance.”
His lips pressed to hers, and all her fears melted away as she realized Chase was right about one more thing.
His kiss did curl her toes and make her forget all else in the world.
When their kiss ended, and they both clung to each other, and the Roberts clan surrounded them with congratulations and promises of friendship and family.
And in that moment, in Chase’s arms, she had faith that she’d be a Roberts someday.
Epilogue
Three Years Later
The Roberts clan filled into Bri and Bekah’s Bed and Breakfast once again. They were growing their family so quickly that they were starting to expand into the hallway. Chase tucked Mia into his side and listened to her read the remaining verses from Frank’s old bible about the day of Jesus’s birth. After she closed the book, she smiled at each of the family members and retrieved the Christmas blessings basket. It was Chase’s favorite tradition. A chance for each of the Roberts to write an anonymous message of what they were most thankful for. Of course, the fun part was trying to guess who wrote which note.
Mia held out the basket in front of Steve. He drew one of the folded pieces of paper and passed it to Patricia. Everyone quieted and listened. Patricia cleared her throat and read, “We’re grateful that the Alpine Village in town has come together and managed to open in October. Rocky Mountain Adventures has grown, and we love being able to help underprivileged kids.”
Everyone shouted, “Mike and Zach.”
Zach placed a hand on Mike’s tummy. “And I’m grateful for something else, too.”
Bob and Christina both cheered and hugged their mother-to-be daughter. “Are you feeling okay?” Bob asked.
Spike bounced his little girl, Cissie, onto his other knee and Ethan, now eight, squished between him and Amy. “Geesh, you’d think it was your first grandkid.”
“Molly shifted her two-year-old in her lap and pointed to the basket. “Your turn, Mike.”
Mike picked a blessing and read, “We are thankful for a successful law practice that continues to thrive and the health of our two-year old boy. We’re also grateful for happy endings and this loving family. And most of all, we’re happy that pickles and donuts with sprinkles exist when needed.”
Mike smiled, I know who that is. “Sam and Lina!”
Sam nodded and took the basket to draw the next blessing.
He read with an enthusiastic tone, “We are thankful Emilia came into our lives and that the adoption is final, because without her, we might have never realized how much we love each other.”
“Awwwe,” the Roberts girls said.
Molly raised her hand. “Wait, there’s more. And for the takeoff of my online jewelry business, and for the new baby about to enter our lives.”
They all nodded and gave lopsided Roberts’ smiles. Chase was sweltering between the body heat and roaring fire, so he pushed up the sleeves of his sweater. Mia ran her nails down his scars, and he didn’t mind at all that everyone could see his arm. His new life was too good to care about old wounds.
Molly drew the next message and read, “We’re thankful for Martha and Mo, for our two beautiful children, and for the success of Rocky Mountain Adventures. We’re glad Josh is in Ethan’s life and that our family has grown and stayed together over the years, through good times and bad.”
“Spike and Amy, no doubt.” Mo said
and reached for the basket. It wasn’t technically his turn, but no one complained. He drew one, opened the paper, and held it out as far as his arms would reach, and then squinted.
“Oh, give me that. You forgot your readers again, didn’t you?” Martha teased her husband. “Okay, this one says, we are thankful for our new baby girl Keira, and our rescue puppy Willow, for second chances and forgiveness.”
“Jack and Erin,” Bri shouted.
Erin waved her hands. “I’m only allowed two lines or I would’ve also put that I’m thankful for Jack finally managing to find me a new Jeep that is the exact same color and model as my beloved Shirley that went to Jeep heaven.”
The basket passed to Erin and she read, “We’re blessed with family and friends that are amazing and for getting to work every day with my best friend and cousin. We’re also thrilled to announce that a certain mystery writer’s series has been picked up by HBO for a new mini-series.”
“Bekah and Hunter for sure,” Bri shouted.
The basket continued to pass with laughs and hugs. When it reached Melinda, she pulled a blessing from the basket. Her shiny new engagement ring flashing under the Christmas lights. It was about time. Chase thought he’d have to hog tie David to finally get married to Mel. She opened the card and read, “We are thankful that the final custody hearing for our niece Sadie is over, and we’ve been given approval to officially adopt her. And we are thankful for the support of the community that has helped my Books N' Beans and the radio station become a success. Lastly, we are thankful for the new addition we will be welcoming to our family in seven months.”
“My Emma and Cooper,” Angela shouted.
The basket passed to Emma. She cleared her throat and eyed the paper. “Um…okay, we are thankful that Chase and David have done an amazing job with our company so that we could try to start a family. Although it hasn’t happened yet, we know God has a plan for us and right now we want to concentrate on the Frank Home for Returning Vets.”
Chase squeezed Mia to his side. “We thank you, Ally and Rex, for giving us a shot. I mean, David and I can be a handful.”
“All you boys were a handful growing up,” Steve said. Patty nodded her agreement.
They all nodded their agreement and laughter erupted again until Ally drew one from the basket and cleared her throat. “I’m thankful for being able to work my dream job every day, for being married to an amazing man, and for having a two-year-old that plays with her cousin daily.”
Bekah patted her own two-year-old daughter’s head and eyed Bri.
Mia smiled, paused, and looked up at Chase. He read over her shoulder and shook his head. “That figures.”
“What is it?” Bekah asked.
“And she’s thankful to be carrying twin boys.”
The room erupted, Bekah squealed and leapt over three other Roberts to hug Bri. The Roberts’ men shook Anthony’s hand with enthusiasm.
Mia laughed. “They should rename this town Roberts’ Springs since this family seems to be populating it at record speed.”
Mia touched her belly and Chase’s chest tightened. All gazes settled on her and silence filled the room. “I didn’t write this down, so I’m not sure I can share.”
“Forget traditions, spill it sister.” Molly said, her hand resting on her oversized belly. Chase wasn’t sure she’d even make it through the party before she had her baby.
Mia turned to Chase and smiled. “The doctors were right that there was still a chance even after all your injuries from the IED. I wasn’t sure how to tell you this, but we’re gonna have a baby.”
Emotions choked him and tears slid down his face, he pulled her into him and then let go. “Sorry, I don’t want to squish you. Is the baby okay? How did this happen?”
“Uncle Steve, didn’t you ever have the talk with Chase?” Spike shouted.
Chase wiped the tears from his eyes.
“So much for the macho marine,” Ally teased.
Chase smiled and glanced around the room at his family and friends. There was one thing Chase knew for sure, the Roberts were truly a blessed family.
The End