Garth’s brow furrowed before he answered. “How about if we save Thanksgiving until you get out of here?”
"But I won't be able to cook," I said.
"You can supervise," Mom said.
Jack nodded. "We’ll prop you up in a comfy chair and you can call out instructions."
Wait? Did this mean that Jack was joining us for Thanksgiving dinner?
As if I’d asked the question out loud, Jack answered, “Brandi has asked that we all go to their house for Thanksgiving. She doesn’t want to miss out on the fun but promised to stay on the couch as long as she can come downstairs.”
"All of us?" Mom asked softly.
Jack looked over at her and gave her a gentle smile. "The whole family. That's the way we're going to do it from now on."
My mother burst into tears. “Oh, Jack, thank you.”
“The gratitude goes both ways, Jennie. You didn’t have to share your girl with me. I don’t know that I deserve it, but I’m grateful.”
“I think we’ve all talked about who deserves what way too much,” I said. It was true. Garth’s mom. My mom. Jack. All of them certain that redemption could not be theirs. “Let’s simply be thankful for what’s happening right at this moment and stop apologizing for the past.”
“I’m in,” Jack said.
“Me too,” Mom said.
The small muscles in Garth’s face twitched as if he were trying not to cry. But me? All I could do was grin.
23
Garth
My mother and father arrived together at my house two days before Christmas. They hadn’t said much about what was happening between them, other than my dad had been “staying” in Bozeman since they’d left Emerson Pass a week after Thanksgiving. I’d asked him a few times about what was going on between them, and he said they were happily dating and having fun together.
Thus, it was a great surprise when at breakfast on the morning of the twenty-third, my dad popped a bottle of champagne. Crystal and Mom were already seated at the dining room table. Crystal had made waffles and bacon and now that my cast was removed, I could help her. I’d never been so happy to say goodbye to anything in my life. I was now in the process of rehabilitation and growing stronger by the day.
I’d told my dad the night before that I planned on officially proposing to Crystal on Christmas Eve with a ring. Trapper had asked if we could come to their house so that Brandi could join in the fun. It would be a merry crew of Trapper, Brandi, Jack, Jennie, Dad, Mom, and of course Crystal and me. I planned to surprise her with the ring.
“I have something to toast,” Dad said as he poured us each a glass.
I brought the ladies their glasses and sat next to Crystal. My mother and father were on either end of the table. Dad stood and held up his glass. “Your mother and I have an announcement.”
I looked over at Mom. She was beaming, her eyes fixed on my father.
“Sam, do you want to tell them what we’ve done?”
“No, you do it,” Mom said.
“Your mother and I got married last weekend in Vegas.”
My mouth dropped open. “You got married?”
“Eloped,” Mom said gleefully. “We already had one wedding. We didn’t need another one.”
“But aren’t you still married to wife four?” I asked.
“Not as of last Friday. We got married on Saturday.” Dad smacked the table. “We couldn’t get to that chapel fast enough.”
“But how could this happen?” I blinked rapidly, hoping this wasn’t a dream. “I mean, after all this time apart?”
“When we were here together last month, we started talking and talking,” Dad said. “And we figured out we wanted to keep talking.”
“Your dad came to Bozeman and basically never left.” Mom smiled at my father. “That’s how our courtship was back in the day. A whirlwind. Your father doesn’t hesitate when it’s something he wants.”
“I missed her for twenty years. When fate brought us back together, I seized the chance to see if I could win her back.”
I didn’t know what to think. Married. My parents were officially back together. Christopher had been right. My accident had caused all this to happen.
“Congratulations,” Crystal said. “I’m happy for you both. Will you stay in Bozeman?”
“I’m taking Sam to all the places we wanted to go when we were young and didn’t have the money,” Dad said. “But we’re going to buy a home here. Your mother quit her job. She’s officially retired. I quit all the boards I’m on and am ready to enjoy the rest of our time here to the fullest.”
“That’s wonderful,” Crystal said.
At the same time, I said, “Dad, here in Emerson Pass? Really?” I couldn’t believe my ears.
“We don’t want to miss anything,” Mom said. “You’re our children, and we want to be near you.”
“Maybe there will be grandchildren, for example,” Dad said. “We’d hate to miss a moment with them.”
“God willing,” Crystal said as she glanced upward.
“Here’s to you two,” I said, finally recovering enough to speak coherently. I lifted my glass and we all toasted.
Then we dug into Crystal’s delicious breakfast as my dad and mom told us about all the places they wanted to visit. What a turn of events, I thought, as I helped myself to several pieces of bacon. All because of an icy road. One just never knows what is around the corner. Life could change for better or worse in an instant. What was there to do about it, really? As Crystal and I had learned and accepted, all we have is the moment. We’d vowed to make the most of each one with the people we love without worrying about the future. In the end, I understood better than I ever had that when love arrives, open to it without fear. The unknown will always have the power to frighten us. We must go out into the storm anyway.
On Christmas Eve, we all gathered at Trapper’s house. Before dinner, I asked Jennie and Jack to accompany me outside. The three of us bundled up and went out to the firepit. Trapper had turned it on for me, knowing I wanted to tell Jack and Jennie that I was proposing to Crystal tonight. I didn’t need their permission. Crystal and I were grown-ups, and both married before. However, I wanted to start out on a respectful note with my in-laws.
“What’s up?” Jack asked.
“I have a feeling.” Jennie’s eyes sparkled.
“At dinner, I’m going to propose to Crystal,” I said. “I wanted to let you know before I did it. I’m hoping neither of you have any objections?”
“Even if I did, which I don’t, I wouldn’t get in your way,” Jennie said. “My daughter has never been as happy as she is here with you.”
“What about with Patrick?” I had to ask. Would I ever stop being jealous of a ghost?
“They had a deep love,” Jennie said. “But they weren’t equals like you two are. Plus, there’s a way she looks at you with so much love and respect. I’ve never seen that particular look in my girl’s eyes before. Don’t spend any more energy worrying about whether she loves you as much or if you’re as good for her as he was. You are. Just as you are.”
“I don’t know what it was like between her and Patrick,” Jack said. “Frankly, it doesn’t matter. You’re here. Crystal’s here. And you two make a great team. You’re obviously best friends as well as being passionately in love. A man can’t ask for more. It’s time to let go of that chip on your shoulder.”
“The guy was a billionaire,” I said. “And a genius. I’m so ordinary.”
“Each of us has something special to offer the world,” Jack said. “What you have is just as good as the next guy.”
“I’ve always been second place,” I said. “Or I felt that way, regardless if it were true.”
“Not this time,” Jennie said. “You won her reluctant heart. No small feat.”
“You’re good to her and for her,” Jack said.
“You brought her out of a bad place.” Jennie glanced up at Jack before returning to me. “Bit by bit,
you thawed her out and breathed life into her.”
Jack nodded as he squeezed my shoulder. “I agree. Whatever’s in your wallet has no relevance here. Your character is what counts. You’re a good person who, as far as I can tell, always puts my daughter first. I’ll be proud to call you son.”
My throat ached from the myriad of emotions that his words gave me. “I can promise both of you that I’ll do my very best every single day to show up for her.”
“That’s all we ask,” Jack said.
I hadn’t realized I actually did need their approval. “Thank you. Both of you. I wish I didn’t think about all this and if I’m good enough, but I do.”
“No one can blame you,” Jack said. “Heck, I feel that way about the guy too. I mean, what does she need me for?”
“What’s in your wallet has no relevance,” I said, repeating back the words of encouragement he’d just given me. “You’re everything she wanted and needed.”
“Thanks, bud,” Jack said. “Welcome to the family.” We shook hands.
“Come here,” Jennie said as she held out her arms. “Give me a hug.”
I did so. “I know you’ll take good care of my girl’s tender heart,” Jennie said. “That’s all I care about.”
Crystal showed up at the French doors and beckoned for her mother. “What’s going on out here? Are you guys having a family meeting without me?”
Jack laughed. “You could say that.”
“I’ll expect a full report later,” Crystal said, laughing. “Dinner’s almost ready. Mom, would you come in and light the candles?”
“You got it,” Jennie said.
After she left, I glanced over at Jack. He’d gone quiet. His hands were inside his jacket pockets as he gazed down at the fire. The slump of his shoulders troubled me.
“Anything I can do?” I asked.
He raised his eyes to meet mine; the sadness in his eyes confirmed what I’d thought.
“You know that way Crystal looks at you?” Jack asked. “Jennie used to look at me that way. Until I broke her heart. Don’t ever break my baby girl’s heart.”
“I won’t. I can promise you that.”
He smiled. “You know what? This time I’ll be there to walk her down the aisle. Thanks for giving me that opportunity.”
We were silent for a few minutes, watching the fire. A few lazy snowflakes tumbled from the white sky. Was it possible that Jack’s feelings for Jennie had been resurrected? “Jack, if there’s anything still left in your heart for Jennie, you should tell her.”
“I’m not sure there’s any hope that either one of us can let go of the past. We’ve agreed to be friendly for Crystal’s sake, which is our priority. There’s a lot of damage there between us. My fault, all of it. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a giant hole in my heart. We were like you and Crystal back then. Made for each other.”
I didn’t say anything further. Sometimes, things are obvious to the observer before they are to the observed. The story of Jack and Jennie wasn’t finished. My parents had come back together because the foundation of love was still there even though they’d made mistakes. Forgiveness of each other and of themselves had come at last. Miracles could happen. I’d witnessed more than one over the last few months. They needed a little time and a little help from God, but they’d find their way back together.
“Come on inside, kid,” Jack said. “Let’s go help your bride.”
“Yes sir.” As we reached the glass doors, I tugged on the sleeve of his jacket. “Miracles happen. Don’t give up the faith that one could come your way.”
Jack gave me a sad smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Later, we all gathered in Trapper’s dining room. Jennie had decorated the table with fir boughs, silver lights, and white roses. The flickering flames of candles interspersed cast the room in a golden glow. A feast was displayed on the buffet, including a prime rib and Yorkshire pudding that Crystal had made using Lizzie’s recipes. At Dad’s request, my mom had brought a green bean casserole with crispy onions on top as we’d had for every holiday when I was a kid. In addition were a garden salad made colorful with cranberries, and ruby red lettuce salad and a sweet potato casserole.
Brandi, who had gotten permission from her doctor to come downstairs for dinner with us, sat at one end of the long wood table and Trapper at the other.
Jennie was seated across from Jack, looking elegant in a sparkly red dress. My mother had on dark blue velvet and a pearl necklace and had already taken her seat next to Jennie. They had their heads together chatting quietly. I had a feeling they were discussing how soon they would become grandmothers.
Brandi glowed in a black sheath that displayed her ever-growing baby bump. We were all grateful for the baby who remained nestled in her mother’s womb where she belonged. She just needed to hang in there until the first spring wildflowers bloomed in the meadows.
I escorted a flushed Crystal to her seat. She’d worn an apron for most of the day over a green cashmere sweater and white jeans but had taken it off for dinner. Her hair was up in a twist, showing off her slender neck. I’d have rather nibbled there than have the prime rib, and I love a good slab of meat. My stomach fluttered when she looked up at me. “Merry Christmas,” she said to me.
“Merry Christmas,” I whispered in her ear. “I can’t wait to take you home and get you under the mistletoe.”
“I hope you hung it over the bed,” she whispered back.
Having decided to stay at my house instead of rebuilding Crystal’s, during the month of December we’d fully embraced the idea of nesting. Together, we’d made my house a home. As Crystal had done to my heart, the furnishings and decor had softened all the hard edges.
It had occurred to us today that her property could very easily house two cottages. One for my parents and one for her mother. If they wanted, the land was available. We planned on putting the offer into their stockings tomorrow morning.
For the umpteenth time that night, I checked for the ring box in my inside jacket pocket. Still there. Trapper knew the plan. As soon as the champagne had been poured, I would fall onto one knee. We’d made sure Crystal was seated on a corner.
My dad and I filled everyone’s glasses with champagne before taking our seats.
“Thank you all for being here and Merry Christmas,” Trapper said. “Before we start to feast on Crystal’s amazing dinner, Garth had a little something he wanted to say.”
I stood as Trapper sat. I had a speech planned in my head and hoped nerves wouldn’t derail me. “I wanted to thank everyone at this table for being insanely supportive in what seems on the surface to have been a hellish year. Strangely enough, that’s not the case. The fire and all that followed brought me the most important thing, far more valuable than any object could bring—love. I have two new friends in Brandi and Trapper, when before we were only acquaintances.”
Trapper gestured toward me with his glass and nodded. “Cheers, bud.”
I turned to Brandi. “Thanks for letting me invade your home during a time that should have been a honeymoon phase for you and Trapper.”
Brandi patted her belly. “I think that ship has sailed. Anyway, there’s nothing to thank us for. We loved having you guys here.”
“This is Emerson Pass,” Trapper said. “No one is left out in the cold. Friends become like family. Our door is always open, should you need us again.”
“As is mine,” I said.
Next, I addressed my parents. “Mom and Dad, thank you for coming to take care of me. I had no idea of what was to come, but I couldn’t be happier.”
My dad actually teared up, which made me almost do the same. I kept it together long enough to look over at Jennie. “Jennie, thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all. Bringing your daughter into the world.” I glanced at Jack. “And thanks for making her so happy these last weeks.”
I dropped to one knee in front of Crystal.
“Are you doing this now?” Crystal ask
ed, looking somewhat horrified. Too late to back out now.
“I am.”
She whipped around to look at her mother and then Brandi before returning to me.
“I would never have thought that losing my home would bring me the best thing that’s ever happened to me. A scary night for both of us, but that was the beginning of us. The fire brought you into my life, and for that I will be forever grateful.” I took the box from my jacket and lifted the lid. “Crystal, will you be my wife and make all my dreams come true?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
With a shaking hand, I slipped the ring on her finger. It was a solitary diamond, not very big but all I could afford. If she wanted something else, she could pick it out later. Adjusting to the idea of her wealth was a work in progress. “Will you accept this ring and my promise to put together an ironclad prenup in case you decide to run off with the pool boy?”
Everyone laughed. “We have a pool boy?” Crystal asked as she brought the ring up to the light.
“Not yet,” I said. “But someday we might.”
“I’d recommend against that,” Jack said. “Given the prenup.”
Crystal sobered as she returned her gaze to me. “It’s me who is grateful to you. You saved my life that night and you breathed life into me in the months that followed. Every day I think I can’t love you more, but I do. I look forward to a long life together.”
Only I knew how loaded that statement was. She was betting on a long life with me even though she understood more than most how quickly that dream could be snatched away.
“Kiss her,” Brandi said.
“Yes, kiss the girl,” Jennie said.
I did so, lingering to take in the taste and scent of her. Then I rose to my feet to take my seat next to her, where I belonged.
“Shall we eat?” Dad asked. “I’m starved and can’t wait for some of that green bean casserole.”
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