Layla came pounding up the steps, a serious pout on her face. “Tommy won’t play with me. I’m gonna tell Mom!”
Shouting for her mother, she stormed into the house. Out beside the barn, Jesse, squatting on his heels, was deep in conversation with Tommy. When Tommy walked away, Jesse picked something up from the grass.
Nicki’s laughter drew Clay’s attention. He smiled at the radiant glow on her face. Kasey was demonstrating her dancing ability by gyrating wildly to a tune Miss Cassidy was humming for her.
“You did a good thing.”
Clay glanced over his shoulder to find his brother standing behind him. Jesse’s praise meant more than he would ever know. “Thanks. I have to admit, I’m feeling a bit like Father Christmas.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“I’ll try not to.”
“Here.” Jesse extended his hand. He held a small black glass horse. “One leg seems to be missing, but I’m amazed it isn’t in worse shape. I must have walked past that clump of grass a hundred times since the storm. Guess I was meant to find it today. You should keep it. You always liked it.”
“Thanks. This means a lot.” Clay closed his fingers around one of his grandmother’s treasures. The shadowbox might be gone, but he could build a new one and start a collection for Kasey and her children. That is—if he could convince Nicki to marry him.
“How’s the job at the Rocking P going?” Jesse asked.
“I knew it was only temporary when I took it. I’m going to have to look for something else now that I’m not heading back to Canada. Any suggestions?”
Jesse rubbed a hand over his chin. “It wouldn’t pay much more than the Rocking P, but you might consider working on the Circle-L, instead.”
Clay looked at his brother in disbelief. “You’re asking me to come to work with you. For real?”
“We could try it and see how it goes. No promises.”
Deep emotions tightened Clay’s throat. Maybe someday he’d be able to redeem himself in Jesse’s eyes. “Thanks. I’d really like that.”
“Guess we should go in and give Maya’s turkey a try. I’ve got to admit, I’m a little leery.”
The smells of roast turkey, dressing and apple pie drifting out of the house were enough to make Clay’s mouth water. “You’re thinking of that meatloaf she used to make.”
“Yeah. How did you know that?”
“The look on your face. Who could forget that disaster? Actually, she’s grown into a pretty good cook.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, her chili is awesome.”
“Are you talking about me?” Maya, who had gone inside, reappeared holding one of the triplets.
“I’ll take her,” Jesse said, smiling softly at his daughter.
Maya handed her over. “It’s wonderful having you both here.”
Clay ruffled her hair. “If you’re this excited now, what are you going to be like at Christmas?”
Her grin faded a little. “I hope it will be as happy a day as this one, but Greg and I have run into a problem with our plans for Tommy’s adoption.”
Jesse nodded toward the door. “I hear one of the other girls crying. Let’s go inside.”
In the living room, Jesse handed Brooke back to Maya and picked up Madison. When he had her quiet, he turned to his sister. “I thought the adoption was going to be final in a few weeks.”
“It should be, but there’s been a snag with the paperwork. We wanted to give Tommy the news on Christmas Day, but it looks like it will be after the first of the year.”
“Mom, something’s burning,” Layla announced from the kitchen doorway.
Maya pushed Brooke into Clay’s arms and rushed to the kitchen. Jesse and Clay exchanged amused glances. Just then Nicki, with Kasey in her arms, came in followed by Miss Cassidy.
Nicki’s gaze met Clay’s. Her eyes were brimming with happiness. He gathered his courage and asked, “Nicki can I speak to you for a second?”
“Sure.”
He caught her hand and led her back out onto the porch and around to the side of the house. Once there, his courage wavered.
“You’ll never guess what?” Nicki began in an excited rush. She kissed Kasey’s cheek and hugged her close. “Miss Cassidy has agreed to let me go ahead with Kasey’s adoption. Her only stipulation is that she be allowed to visit frequently. Can you believe it?”
“That’s great.”
“Yes, it is. I’m so happy. But what did you want to tell me?”
“I wanted to tell you that I love you beyond all reason, Nicki Appleton, and I’ll never be a whole man until I have you by my side forever. I want us to be a family. You and Kasey and me. Will you marry me?”
“Yes, oh, yes. This is the happiest day of my life.” She threw one arm around his neck and hugged him tightly.
He gathered her and Kasey close. Nuzzling Nicki’s hair, he whispered. “You are what I’ve been looking for all my life. I’m so glad the Lord led me back to you.”
“I love you, Clay. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of saying that.” She cupped his cheek with her palm and kissed him with a tenderness that dispelled any doubts he may have had.
In that instant, Clay knew he had ended up exactly where God intended him to be. Home—with a family of his own.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nicki drove into the church parking lot and got out of her car. Glancing across to the park, she saw Clay putting up the last panel of lattice on the gazebo. Her heart overflowed with love and gratitude for the man who’d returned so much to her and to her town.
The man she was going to marry. The thought sent bubbles of happiness zipping through her. They’d talked about a spring wedding but hadn’t set a date yet.
She crossed the winter-brown grass to watch him work. As he nailed the final wall in place, she began clapping.
He turned around and saw her. The look of love that filled his eyes sent joy flooded into every fiber of her being.
He took a small bow. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“It looks beautiful, Clay.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
“Ah, what a sweet thing to say.”
“I’m a sweet guy.”
“I’ve heard that about you. Everyone in High Plains is singing your praises.” She glanced over her shoulder at the Old Town Hall where a flurry of construction was underway thanks to the arrival of the crew from Dallas.
Clay stepped backward inside the pavilion and beckoned her by crooking one finger. “Come here, soon-to-be Mrs. Logan.”
Managing a coy look, she shook her head. “I don’t think so. I seem to remember that you made improper advances to me the last time we were inside a place just like this.”
Crossing his arms, he leaned his shoulder against the frame of the opening. “All the more reason you should come here, now.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because I’d like to make some proper advances toward you.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Sauntering up to him, she lifted her face for his kiss.
He didn’t hesitate. He pulled her inside and proceeded to kiss her breathless. Drawing away at last, he smiled into her eyes. “Was that better than the last time?”
“It was good, but I think you need a little more practice.”
He growled and jerked her close once more. The shrill ring of his phone interrupted them.
Releasing her, he pulled it from his pocket. “I think I liked it better before I had one of these.”
Opening it, he said, “This better be important, Jesse, because your timing stinks.”
Nicki chuckled, but as Clay’s face grew sober so did her own. She listened to the terse conversation with growing concern. Then Clay said, “Nicki’s right here. I’ll ask her.”
Holding his hand over the phone, Clay said, “Tommy is missing.”
“What?”
“Maya took the kids out to the ranch to visit today. She was
getting ready to leave but they can’t find Tommy anywhere. They think he’s run away. Jesse wants to know if you can come out to the ranch and watch the babies while he gets a search party together.”
“Tell him absolutely. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Clay spoke into the phone again. “We’re on our way.”
He hung up and tucked the phone in his pocket, then he cupped her face between his hands and gave her a quick kiss. “Thanks, I knew you’d help.”
“Of course. They’re my family, too.” Grabbing his hand, she pulled him toward the church and her waiting car.
“I’m afraid that boy is going to give Maya as much grief as I gave my folks.”
As they hurried across the park, Nicki knew this was how it was meant to be. The two of them facing whatever challenges lay ahead, together—hand in hand—and trusting in God’s loving grace to carry them through.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed A Family for Thanksgiving and all the stories in the AFTER THE STORM series. The old saying that truth is stranger than fiction certainly held true for me in writing this book.
Several weeks after I was invited to participate in this continuity by Steeple Hill in the summer of 2008, the town of Chapman, Kansas, was heavily damaged by a tornado. I attended high school in Chapman and it has always been a place dear to my heart. The damage to the community was extensive, but just as the town of High Plains struggled and succeeded in recovering, so are the residents of Chapman facing their heartache with faith in God and in each other.
No element of this story was taken from that tragedy. In fact, the basis for the series was laid out months before that tornado struck. However, I know that photos, news stories and eyewitness accounts of that event helped add realism to my own story.
Chapman’s road to recovery has been long and it isn’t over yet. The town will bear the scars of that storm for decades. But the people of Kansas are a resilient bunch. I have no doubt that their community will emerge stronger and more steadfast because of the trials they have borne. I wish them well and ask that you keep them in your prayers.
As always, I enjoy hearing from readers. You can contact me by mail at P.O. Box 16714, Wichita, Kansas 67216, or e-mail me at [email protected].
Blessings,
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Clay’s renewal of faith occurred in a life-and-death struggle to save a child. Do you know someone whose faith was reborn from a life-changing event?
Clay sought answers to why God sent him back to High Plains. What answers do you seek from God in your own life?
Both Clay and Nicki recognize that their attraction in high school wasn’t lasting love. What part of that relationship did they cling to and why?
Has your community or the community of someone you know been affected by a natural disaster? How did that impact your faith?
Nicki’s mother did not approve of Clay. Have you, or someone you know, faced similar opposition to a romance? How did those feelings change the outcome for the couple? For the rest of the family?
What symbolism did water play in this story?
Clay and his brother achieved the start of a reconciliation in A Family for Thanksgiving. Have you had a falling-out with a family member? How has that changed your life?
Clay doubted that he would make a good father. If you have children, what doubts have you had about your ability to parent? How has your faith played a role in this?
What do you see as the real reason Clay wanted to rebuild the gazebo?
The loss of Tommy’s dog in the storm is a heartache the little boy couldn’t bear to face. Pets sometimes play an important role in our lives. Do you own a pet? Have you lost a pet you loved? If so, how did that impact your life?
What do you foresee for Clay and Nicki in their lives? What would you imagine them doing in five years? In ten year? In fifty years?
How has this story or this series changed your perception of Kansas?
Nicki couldn’t have children of her own and was brave enough to foster babies in need. Do you know people willing to open their homes and hearts to such children? What blessing has this added to their lives?
The Logan family engagement ring has never been found. What heirloom, if any, do you hope to pass on in your family?
The next book in the series is Clay’s brother Jesse’s story, Jingle Bell Babies. What do you think will happen between the brothers in that book?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4343-3
A FAMILY FOR THANKSGIVING
Copyright © 2009 by Harlequin Books S.A.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
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Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Questions for Discussion
A Family for Thanksgiving (Love Inspired) Page 18