by Amy Vastine
“I don’t know how to…repay you.”
Now it was mischief that lit his gaze. “I happen to know of a way!”
“Okay,” she responded, with a note of apprehension. “How?”
“Well, this weekend is Thanksgiving…”
It hadn’t occurred to Jax. Her family had never celebrated the holiday, even when her father was alive. They certainly hadn’t since he’d passed away. She didn’t understand how that was relevant to what they were talking about. “Yeah. So…”
“I’d like you to spend Thanksgiving with me and my family.”
“I can’t do that!” Driven by panic, the words tumbled out.
He stroked a hand along her arm. “Like I’ve told you before, my parents are good people. So are my brother and sister. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
“I… I don’t want to impose.” She’d never experienced a Thanksgiving celebration personally. She could barely recollect a Christmas that wasn’t strained and unpleasant.
“No imposition. They want you to join us. You’ll like them. Trust me.”
“I… I…” She didn’t know how to get out of it gracefully after everything Ryan had done for her, not to mention his mother and sister. The oddest part was that she wanted to go. She wanted to discover what it would be like to be part of a real family.
“Why don’t you think about it? We’ll have more than enough food so you can decide at the last minute.” Ryan’s eyes were encouraging. Understanding.
It made her want to go that much more.
In the end, Jax agreed. Although it hadn’t bothered her before, she didn’t want to spend Thanksgiving alone. Most compelling of all, she found that she actually had things to be thankful for this year. She was alive. She was recovering. She had Kyle. Most unexpectedly, Ryan had come into her life.
CHAPTER FIVE
“We’re so glad you’re joining us for Thanksgiving!” Ryan’s mother, Paula, said and hugged Jax. It was Jax’s first time using a cane instead of the wheelchair, and Ryan stood close by to support her, especially when Bongo bolted by her in his enthusiasm to greet Sam and Nathan. Jax smiled feebly over his mother’s shoulder. Olivia definitely hadn’t hugged her like that.
Ryan had described his family’s tradition of exchanging small gifts and the meaning behind them. Jax had gone with what she knew best—plants. Based on what Ryan had told her about his family, she brought small, potted plants for each of them. She’d grilled Ryan about their personalities to help her choose the types of plants. For Ryan, she’d deviated from that theme. Aware of his love of dogs, she’d gone online and ordered a ceramic St. Bernard rescue dog with a little barrel of first-aid supplies around his neck. It was intended to show her appreciation for everything he’d done to take care of her these past weeks. A way to demonstrate how much it meant to her.
“Usually we do the gift exchange after dinner,” Ryan told Jax after he’d helped her settle on the sofa. “This year, we’re breaking with tradition and doing it now. I think you’ll understand why in a little while.”
Jax was fascinated as she watched the gift exchange. The Hudsons shared such an obvious and easy affection. She laughed along with them and took part in their good-natured teasing. She was delighted to receive the gifts they each gave her. Since they didn’t know her, the presents were related to her business or her healing process. But as happy and included as she felt, there was an emptiness inside her, a yearning for the love and belonging these people took for granted, and she’d never experienced. Her thoughts turned to Kyle and she was overwhelmed by remorse, knowing that with Olivia it was merely another day for him. It fueled her conviction to ensure that he didn’t grow up missing out on normal family events and celebrations the way she had. And it made her that much more determined to get Olivia to participate in the Friends for Life program.
Samantha’s laughter at the small stuffed dog—identical to the one Ryan had given Jax in the hospital—drew Jax’s attention back to the group.
When all the gifts had been exchanged, Ryan took Jax’s hand in his.
“There’s one more gift to be shared this Thanksgiving, and it’s for you.”
It was only then that Jax realized she hadn’t received anything from Ryan yet.
“It’s a two-part gift,” he explained and placed a white envelope on her lap. When she reached for it, he stopped her. “This is part two. You’re not allowed to open it until after part one.”
Everyone in the room was watching her expectantly. Samantha covered her mouth in an attempt to stifle a giggle.
Goosebumps formed on Jax’s arms. In her experience, being the center of attention had never been good. She felt a strange mixture of trepidation and excitement.
“Ready?” Ryan asked.
She nodded and linked her fingers together to keep from fidgeting.
“Okay. Stay there and don’t open the envelope,” he said with mock gravity. He exchanged a conspiratorial look with his mother before walking out of the room.
Jax watched him until he turned the corner and disappeared from sight. She kept her eyes on the doorway. She could sense that everyone else was looking at her.
A moment later, Ryan stepped back into the room, and Jax felt her mouth drop open. Her little brother was holding Ryan’s hand. Seeing her, Kyle made a whooping sound and ran over, wrapping his small arms around her.
Jax returned the embrace, and blinked rapidly to clear her vision.
“Happy Thanksgiving!” Ryan exclaimed and it was echoed by everyone.
“How…how did you get Olivia to let you bring him here?” Jax’s voice was scarcely audible. She couldn’t imagine her stepmother approving. Olivia hardly allowed Jax to take him anywhere.
“Before we get to that, we’ll move on to part two,” Ryan responded.
Samantha called Kyle over and introduced him to Bongo, to keep him busy for the time being. Kyle excitedly slid down to sit on the floor next to the dog and play with him.
With a last uncertain look at Ryan, Jax extracted the single sheet of paper from the envelope. It was a certificate stating that Ryan Hudson had been named Kyle Warren’s official mentor through the Friends for Life program.
“Oh, my God,” Jax breathed. Her hand shook as she replaced the sheet of paper in the envelope. Her eyes filled with tears as she stared up at Ryan.
“Olivia agreed to this?”
“Yeah, with some…persuasion,” he said cryptically. Leaning over and murmuring in her ear, he added. “I told Olivia I was aware she’d hit you.” When Jax sent him a shocked look, he continued. “I also told her I’d bring it to the attention of my police friends, unless she met a couple of conditions. First, she will never strike you again, nor try to hurt Kyle. Second, she had to sign Kyle up for Friends for Life with a special request that the application be fast-tracked and that I be assigned as his mentor.”
Jax was incredulous. She wiped at the moisture on her face and her smile wavered, until she finally started laughing. Ryan sat down beside her and lifted Kyle into his lap. Jax hugged them both. She couldn’t have imagined being this happy.
* * *
After dinner, coffee and dessert, and with Kyle sleeping soundly on the sofa under Paula’s watchful eye, Ryan led Jax outside to the back patio to steal some time alone with her. The black-velvet sky was dusted with stars. A cool breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees bordering the Hudsons’ backyard, and she smelled the sweet scent of the potted frangipani shrub beside the glider where they sat.
Ryan snuggled her against him with an arm around her shoulder. “How are you enjoying the evening?” he asked.
“Your family is…” She struggled to find the right word. Finally, she said, “extraordinary.”
“Yeah, I’m very lucky. I’m immensely thankful for my family every single day.” With a fingertip under her chin, he tilted her face toward his. “I’d like you to think of us being here for you and Kyle, too. Can you do that?”
She gave him a hesita
nt nod.
“Can you go so far as believing that I’m going to be part of your life—yours and Kyle’s? Not just for now, and not just when it’s convenient?”
She looked at him with eyes that weren’t quite dry. For someone who didn’t cry, she seemed to be making up for lost time. With hope and fear and disbelief all jumbled up inside her, she nodded again.
Ryan lowered his head to touch his lips to hers.
The kiss was gentle and oh, so tender. Jax had been kissed before, but she’d never felt what she was feeling now, deep inside—something wonderful and profound. It crowded out the other feelings of uncertainty and unease until what remained was hope and a sensation so joyous and all-consuming she had trouble putting a name to it. As Ryan drew back, she saw the very thing she was feeling reflected in his eyes.
She knew it was love.
Ryan spoke softly in her ear, giving voice to what she’d recognized in his eyes, before brushing his lips once more over hers.
The last vestiges of doubt faded away.
Jax knew without reservation that Ryan wouldn’t let her down, as others had. She could finally trust someone completely, unconditionally.
She knew that what they had was precious and rare, and should be cherished. It would thrive and blossom with time and care, just as her gardens did.
And for the first time, she had something—someone—to be truly grateful for on this special day of thanks.
Ryan had kept his promise.
Be sure to check out the books in Kate James’s K-9 TRILOGY miniseries!
WHEN THE RIGHT ONE COMES ALONG
WHEN LOVE MATTERS MOST
WHEN I FOUND YOU
Available in paperback and digitally at Harlequin.com and through online retailers everywhere. And look for Kate’s next Harlequin Heartwarming book, coming in 2017!
Crab & Cream Cheese Appetizer by Kate James
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon horseradish
8 ounces backfin crabmeat
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons chopped shallots
Salt and pepper to taste
2 ounces slivered almonds
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Blend all ingredients except almonds together.
3. Place in a shallow baking dish.
4. Sprinkle almonds over top.
5. Bake approximately 20 minutes, until slightly browned.
6. Serve with warmed naan bread or crackers.
Wedding of His Dreams
By Cari Lynn Webb
CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Recipe: Creamed Corn
CHAPTER ONE
Had the Pope himself told Ruthie Cain she’d go from strolling the dignified grounds of Oxford University in England to scooping poop at the Marina Dog Park in San Francisco in less than forty-eight hours, she’d have laughed until her ribs ached and tears dampened her cheeks.
Her side ached, but not from laughter, rather from Duke, her sister’s one-hundred forty-five pound Great Dane, who strained against his leash. Unfortunately Duke had failed his dog training on boundaries and only Ruthie’s firm grip on his leash prevented him from escaping across the Golden Gate Bridge to another dog park deep inside Marin County. Duke squatted near Ruthie’s boot and turned his massive head over his shoulder to glare at her.
Sophie Callahan, Ruthie’s best friend since the ninth grade when they’d spent an entire semester being picked last for the volleyball teams in PE, peeled a doggie waste bag off an industrial sized roll. “When I think about the perfect bachelorette party location, I do not think dog park. I think male dancers in firemen attire and an open bar.”
“But you have to admit that this is perfectly Becca.” Ruthie watched her twin sister bounce barefoot through a group of friends near the picnic tables.
“It’s certainly your sister’s style.” Sophie handed her the doggie bag. “But I still prefer the kind of wedding you had planned for yourself. It was that perfect traditional, romantic wedding that every girl dreams about. Until the jerk ruined it.”
The jerk was Justin Cook, Ruthie’s personal runaway groom. She tightened the knot on the waste bag, pinching off the memory that still stung even nine months later. “If my groom had bothered to make an appearance, the wedding might have been perfect.”
The day would’ve been perfect. But the marriage, well, that would not have been perfect. Ruthie’s six month sabbatical teaching an industrial psychology class at Oxford had granted her the distance she’d needed for her broken heart to heal. The sweet older couple who’d offered Ruthie room and board in Oxford, had helped Ruthie realize she wanted a marriage, not just a wedding. And her ex-fiancé’s subsequent quickie courtroom civil union to Claire Slater one month after he’d abandoned Ruthie at the altar and his even more expedient separation from Claire had reaffirmed Ruthie’s belief in karma. The only lasting damage from her failed nuptials was the occasional tweak to her pride at her own naïve impulse to listen to her heart.
“You and Justin weren’t made for each other, not like Becca and Steve.” Sophie scooped another pile of waste into a bag, muttering about dog park rules and negligent pet owners.
Ruthie smiled as her sister’s fiancé, Steve, who picked up Becca and swung her around. Her sister’s bright laughter floated like fairy dust around the happy couple, softening Steve’s hard angles and dark edges and making Becca glow. “Theirs is that rare, once-in-a-lifetime, kind of love.”
“Do you think it’s only available to a certain kind of person?” Sophie tossed the doggy bags into a green metal bin. “People like Becca and Steve.”
“And not us, you mean?” Ruthie and Sophie were the behind the scenes crew, the ones no one noticed at the theatre, but without whom the show would fail. “It’s out there if you’re willing to risk everything for it.”
Becca waved to them, her deep blue eyes all the more vibrant with her new platinum blonde pixie cut. No one chopped off their waist length hair days before their wedding. Becca had taken the gamble without regret or tears or doubt. Becca had always defied convention and had always come out ahead. Ruthie had taken a risk once with Justin and she’d wound up standing at the altar alone.
A motorcycle revved into an empty space in the parking lot. The rider swung his long leg over the bike and unstrapped his helmet. Matthew Wright, Steve’s best man and the only other man who’d ever tempted Ruthie’s heart, had just arrived. But she’d long since graduated high school, earned her PhD and vowed never to trust her childish daydreams again.
“I would’ve risked a few things for a date with Matt Wright back in high school.” Sophie nudged her elbow into Ruthie’s side. “Admit it. You had a crush on him too.”
“You’re confusing me with Becca.” Ruthie watched Matt set his helmet on his motorcycle seat and scrub his hands through his dark brown hair. Sunglasses hid his eyes, but she knew they were hazel like a root beer float. And just like a kid surprised with that root beer float, there was always amusement lingering in their depths as if the world was his personal playground and he laughed his way through life. He’d certainly joked his way through high school. She said, “You know full well that crushing on a boy isn’t in my genetic make-up.” But her heart remembered, once upon a time…
“You were always more interested in your studies than the cute boys wandering the halls.” Sophie laughed. “So I took it upon myself to look for you and me both.”
Steve slapped Matt on his back before Becca wrapped him in a tight hug. Ruthie squeezed Duke’s leash. She’d never been as unrestrained and open with people as her sister. She’d never wanted to launch herself into a guy’s embrace, not even Justin’s. But something about Matt made Ruthie wonder if he’d catch her if she ran to him.
But guys like Matt and Justi
n wanted girls like Becca. She’d do well to remember that simple fact.
“Matt looks even better than he did in high school.” Accusation pierced Sophie’s tone as if he’d somehow wronged her.
Ruthie agreed. She hadn’t seen Matt in person in almost two years. And the pictures she’d seen posted by his family on the internet had failed to capture the strength in his shoulders, his quiet confidence, and the deep rumble of his laughter that hop scotched over her senses.
“He’s definitely the hottest best man to date. I’ve been to over a dozen weddings this year so I’m qualified to judge.” Sophie adjusted her baseball cap. “Maybe this weekend I can get Matt to lecture me about something other than installing a security system and changing the kennel design at The Pampered Pooch.”
Matt turned around and his grin shifted into a wide smile aimed at Sophie and Ruthie. Duke strained on his leash. Ruthie felt the same sudden pull and pressed her palm against her stomach. That twist in her stomach was indigestion from Becca’s wheat grass and carob chip brownie bites. It certainly wasn’t from some latent crush on Matt Wright. Hadn’t her heart learned enough of a lesson with Justin?
“The wedding party is all here.” Becca handed out paper cups to each of the guests. “Time to make a toast.”
Sophie nudged Ruthie again. “I want to be clear that an open bar at a bachelorette party does not mean spirulina and ginger-lemon juice shots.”
“If you pour it into the back of your throat, you miss the bitterness.” Ruthie took a paper cup from her sister. Duke ignored the food on the tables. He shared Ruthie’s love for real potato chips and fried chicken, not kale chips. And apparently her interest in Matt as well. He tugged on his leash to keep Ruthie walking around the tables, toward Steve’s best man.
She reminded herself that charmer Matt Wright was wedding material: a fun dance partner, someone to retrieve a drink for her and her escort down the aisle. But Matt wasn’t marriage material; he hadn’t been cut from that particular fabric bolt. And she’d promised herself the next guy would love her for who she was, not the woman he wanted her to be.