Chapter 44
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Delaney had never celebrated Thanksgiving away from her parents and sisters, away from Maine.
But here at the Aylett house, she felt at home. And she had so much to thank God for.
Steam rose from the pot of mashed potatoes as Noah stirred in the butter and cream, then mashed them like they were an enemy.
“You’ve won the battle.” Delaney nudged his shoulder with hers as she reached for the salt.
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Just making sure there are no lumps. Charlotte hates lumps.”
“Charlotte hates green beans, too, but she’ll try some today.” Delaney pulled casseroles from the second oven and covered them with foil.
He transferred the potatoes to a serving dish. “But it’s Thanksgiving.” His voice took on a whiny note, making her laugh. She loved how attuned he was to his daughter’s preferences.
His daughter.
Both Violet and Jasper had waived their parental rights—Violet had refused at first, but her attorney had advised her that doing so might help her legal case. Considering she’d be in prison until Charlotte was an adult, there was no reason for her not to relinquish her rights.
Jasper’s signature on the paperwork had arrived via courier, the man himself conspicuously absent since the day after the dramatic confrontation at the abandoned house. He’d stayed just long enough to make sure his brother was going to be okay, then taken off.
The adoption wasn’t final yet, but Noah’s attorney assured him the state would rush it through, since he was a relative—and he’d had custody for months.
It might not be legal yet, but Charlotte was his daughter in every important sense of the word.
Delaney had stayed on as Charlotte’s nanny, but she’d rented an apartment outside of town.
She drove over every morning in her new car—another Highlander, like the old one—and was off the clock every afternoon when Noah got home from work, though she usually stayed to have dinner with him and Charlotte.
Sometimes, Noah hired a babysitter, and the two of them went out on a date.
In the three weeks since the incident, they’d only grown closer.
She didn’t know what it would mean long term, but for now, she was happy with this little family. And if she dreamed of being a part of them someday…
That was up to God. He’d taken care of her this long. He could be trusted with her future.
“The turkey’s been resting long enough,” she said. “Will you carve it?”
Noah wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “I’m not ready to join the mayhem.”
“Mayhem? They’re your friends.”
“They’re our friends, and I’m glad they’re here. But that doesn’t keep me from wishing for one moment alone with you.”
She snuggled against him. His wound was still covered with a bandage, but it was healing, as was hers. When all was said and done, they’d have similar scars, though hers would be hidden by her hair.
Things could have turned out so differently. She thanked God every day that He’d spared them all. Even Violet, who was currently in a mental hospital while she awaited her trial.
He backed away, reached into the pantry, and came out with a grocery sack. He pulled a gift bag from it. “I wanted to give you something and…it’s probably stupid, and the timing is terrible, but…” He shrugged. “I want you to have it now.”
She took the bag. “Our family didn’t exchange Thanksgiving presents.”
“This is more of a… Just open it.”
She reached in and pulled out a package of hair bows more suited to Charlotte than to her. “Wow. They’re pretty.” But as the words came out, they triggered her memory of that terrible day when she was eight years old and had failed to protect Kenzie.
Noah didn’t laugh, just stepped closer and took the package. He tossed it on the counter next to the potatoes. “They’re a symbol. I was trying to say something at the hospital, but I don’t think I said it properly.”
“You were a little out of it.”
He took her hands and looked into her eyes.
“I love the way you love my daughter, but that’s not why I love you.
I love you because…just you. You’re everything I want.
You’re a great nanny, and you’ll be a wonderful mother.
But also, you deserve to have all the hair ties and…
whatever you want.” His lips pressed into a grimace.
“I’m not saying this right. It’s that…I love that you love her. ”
“And you,” Delaney said.
His smile was slight. “And me, yes. But you need to know that you matter too. What you want, what you need. You matter to me. What I love about you is…you. It’s not what you do. It’s who you are.”
“Oh.” Suddenly, those were the most precious hair bows she’d ever seen. She stepped into his arms, amazed at this man who’d known exactly what she needed to hear.
They stood like that for a long moment.
“I’m so thankful for you.” He tipped her chin up and tenderly touched his lips to hers.
Charlotte darted into the kitchen, took one look at them, and yelled to the other room, “They’re kissing again!”
Delaney stepped away, laughing.
Noah groaned. “I need to talk to her about timing.”
Lowell joined Charlotte at the door. “You two need to focus. We’re hungry out here.”
“Five minutes.” Delaney grabbed serving spoons for all the side dishes while Noah carved the turkey.
Through the kitchen doorway, she could see Charlotte twirling among the guests in the living room, her curly hair bouncing as she showed off her new dress to anyone who would look.
Her laughter carried over the murmur of conversation, a sound that still made Delaney’s heart squeeze with love and relief.
She was healing. It’d been traumatic, but she was a strong kid.
Ellen, Richard’s wife, approached from the dining room. “The table looks beautiful, Delaney.”
“Thank you.” She’d spent the morning arranging autumn leaves and small pumpkins down the center of the long dining table.
That first day when she’d admired the crystal on the sideboard—it felt like a lifetime ago.
Back then, she’d worried about what kind of man Noah was, worried she wouldn’t be able to trust him.
Now, watching Charlotte giggle as she played with Lowell’s son, Bryce, Delaney felt the rightness of this home, this life, settle deep into her bones. She returned to the kitchen and ladled gravy into a gravy boat, inhaling the rich scent of turkey drippings and herbs. “Will you take this in?”
“Of course!” Ellen turned to the room and clapped. “Everybody, come help!”
Within minutes, the food had been transferred to the dining room, and everyone had gathered around the table. They’d had to bring chairs from other rooms so they’d all fit. It was tight, but worth it to be together.
Lowell had accepted Noah’s invitation. It was a little awkward as Noah and his old friend worked to mend their relationship.
But they were there. Lowell was trying, and Noah, wonderful man that he was, had forgiven Lowell for everything he’d done.
It didn’t hurt that Lowell had thrown his support behind Noah and his company.
They’d signed the merger papers a week before.
Noah waited until everyone was seated, then sat at the head of the table, Delaney on one side, Charlotte on the other.
“When I was a kid,” he said, “Mom used to make us go around the table and say what we’re thankful for. You all know what I’m most thankful for today.” His gaze skimmed to his daughter, then landed on Delaney. “Obviously, God has been”—he swallowed hard—“really good to me this year.”
“Amen.” Richard’s deep voice resonated around the room, and the rest of them murmured similar sentiments.
Lowell cleared his throat. “I’m thankful for…forgiveness and second chances.”
“Me too, my friend,” Noah said.
Charlotte bounced in her seat like she was dying to say something.
“How about you, Charlie-Bear?” Noah prompted. “What are you thankful for?”
“Daddy, and Miss Laney, and apple pie!”
Her lighthearted answer had them all laughing, and then eating and talking and teasing and sharing stories.
It was…beautiful. For Delaney, it felt like home.