Chapter 19
Knox stood in the hall, his hands in the pockets of his jeans, wearing the same beanie and thick plaid flannel from the day I met him in New York. Eugene sat by his feet, tail wagging excitedly.
Shit! I had been so focused on talking to the kitchen staff about what I needed for Thanksgiving that I had forgotten all about our auction “date” that night.
“Knox! Oh my God. I totally lost track of time.”
“Oh.” Knox shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “I can come back later if you want,” he muttered.
I glanced behind me to the iPad where my brother and his family were still drawing and laughing, and to the spread of food by the loveseat.
“No, you know what? Come on in. I’m just FaceTiming my family for Thanksgiving and was going to eat in a minute, but the cooks made me way too much food. You should join me.”
Knox peered around me, taking in the scene. A wash of realization swept over his face. “Oh no, I couldn’t impose like that.”
“Don’t be silly. My niece is going to have to go down for her nap soon and then it was just going to be me and a whole chocolate tart. You may as well save me from myself there.”
“Okay, if you’re sure,” Knox said, stepping into the room, Eugene bounding along behind him.
I strode back toward the desk. “We just have one more family tradition to finish up. My brother and sister-in-law are for sure gonna make you participate, so you better be ready,” I said, turning the camera and microphone back on.
“Hey guys, this is Knox,” I said, gesturing to where he stood awkwardly behind me.
“He’s Oliver’s best friend and stopped by for a contest thing.
And that,” I said, turning the camera toward the armchair where Eugene had immediately settled himself, “is Knox’s dog, Eugene.
Knox, this is my brother Connor, his wife Colleen, and my niece, Ellie. Say hi to everyone.”
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you,” Knox said, stepping up to stand beside me.
Connor’s eyebrow raised. Colleen cut in before he could say anything. “Knox, it’s nice to meet you. Are you American?” she asked, noting his accent.
“I am; my family moved to Wexstone when I was ten. It’s been years since I celebrated Thanksgiving, though.”
“Well, we were just going to each share something we are thankful for before Ellie goes down for her nap. You have to join us!”
I glanced at Knox. Told you, my look said. The corner of his mouth tilted upward in a suppressed smile.
“It would be my pleasure,” Knox replied.
“Ellie, do you want to go first or last?” Connor asked, putting his arm around the squirming toddler.
“First!” She exclaimed, jumping up and down.
Her mother chuckled. “What a shock,” said Colleen, pinching Ellie’s cheek.
“Okay then. Ellie, what are you thankful for?” Connor prompted.
“Ummmmmm…” Ellie put her finger to her chin, eyebrows scrunched, clearly thinking hard. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she leaped to her feet. “Elmo!!” She held her stuffed Elmo above her head proudly.
We all dissolved into laughter. I was surprised to see how heartily Knox laughed along.
“Okay, Connor, your turn,” I said as Ellie settled back onto the couch between her parents.
“I’m thankful for my beautiful family and for special holiday traditions,” Connor answered.
Colleen piped up, “That’s my answer as well.”
Typical, I thought. I loved them, but sometimes their Leave it to Beaver life made me roll my eyes.
“Birdie, how about you?” Colleen asked.
I paused, considering. “The opportunity to visit this beautiful country and make new friends.”
Connor rolled his eyes. Colleen gave him a look that I knew meant Be nice.
“And last but not least. Knox, what’s something that you’re thankful for?” Colleen asked, turning back to the camera.
Knox paused. I was about to jump in to tell him he didn’t have to answer when he spoke.
“Well, I guess tonight I’m thankful for the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving for the first time in fifteen years,” he said, looking from my family to where I sat beside him. I caught his gaze and my heart caught in my throat at the gratitude in his eyes.
“Okay, well, uh, we should probably let you guys go,” I stammered, turning back toward the camera. “Our food is getting cold, and I know someone could probably use a nap before her grandma and grandpa get there.” Right on cue, Ellie yawned, rubbing her eyes.
“No, I not tired!” she protested.
“Mmhmm, sure,” my brother said, scooping her up. She nuzzled her curly head against his shoulder.
“Have a good rest of the evening,” Colleen said. “Happy Thanksgiving! Lovely to meet you, Knox. We love you, Birdie!”
“Love you guys, too. Happy Thanksgiving," I said, reaching for my iPad.
“Happy Thanksgiving. Nice to meet you,” Knox intoned as I hung up the call.
I turned to Knox. “Thanks for hanging in there through that. Time to eat!”
“So, how did you manage to get all of this food?” Knox asked, helping himself to a second slice of chocolate tart. “Chef Bruno isn’t exactly known for being overly friendly.”
“Chef Bruno just hadn’t met me before,” I winked at Knox, setting aside my empty plate. I knew I would probably end up eating another plate of dessert before I went to bed, but for now I needed to let the rest of the meal digest.
Knox eyed me, raising a brow as he chewed a bite of tart.
I laughed. “Look. I’ve been waiting tables for a while.
I know how to charm and befriend grumpy line cooks.
You never know when having them on your side will come in handy.
When I got here, I just made sure I befriended the kitchen staff.
Did you know that Bruno has a two-year-old grandson and a Weimaraner he adores in almost equal measure?
Turns out, he was happy to make me as traditional of a Thanksgiving meal as he could when I asked.
He was really upset that he couldn’t get me an actual turkey.
Although I’d say the game hens weren’t a bad substitute. ”
Knox sat back against the loveseat and nodded.
“Considering we picked them clean, I’d say they were more than satisfactory,” he chuckled.
Eugene whined from where he was now sprawled across my bed.
“Oh, don’t act like you didn’t get a bite,” Knox scolded, rolling his eyes at his dog.
He turned back to me. “I have to say I’m impressed, though.
It’s not every day that you see people befriend the household staff. ”
“Says the man who knows the names of all of the staff at the palace,” I said with a conspiratorial smile.
“Wish I could say I was surprised, though,” I sighed, thinking of Renata.
“But I didn’t grow up being waited on hand and foot.
To be honest, I’m more comfortable doing things for myself, although it’s been nice to have the staff to chat with on days when we don’t have anything on the schedule. ”
“I understand that. Why do you think I chose to live in the old caretaker’s cottage?
” Knox poured himself a cup of tea. “Even after my family moved here, we never had any household staff, so it was a real shock to my system when I moved into the palace after my parents died. I never really got used to it, so when Oliver left for uni, I asked Leroy and Isobel if I could have the caretaker’s old place and job since he had retired.
They told me I could do anything that made me happy, although I still come home periodically to find all my linens freshly washed and folded, and my pantry and fridge never go empty, so I know Isobel still has some of the staff checking in on me if she doesn’t do it herself. ”
My heart twisted, remembering what it was like to have a mother worrying about me. “You said you hadn’t celebrated Thanksgiving in fifteen years. Is there a reason why?” I asked, reaching for the teapot and pouring myself a cup.
Knox took a sip from his mug. “My parents died in a car crash when I was fifteen. I assume Oliver told you that much?” I nodded.
Knox ran a finger around the rim of his cup.
“Even after we moved to Wexstone, my parents always made sure we celebrated Thanksgiving with a big, home-cooked meal. Oliver even joined us a couple of times. After they passed away, I wanted to continue celebrating. But it seemed like there was always something going on at the palace, and I was just a teenager, and…”
“And it was just too heavy,” I finished quietly.
Knox met my gaze, a question in his eyes. “Yeah. It was. Isobel and Leroy offered to celebrate it with me, but…well. You said it. It was too heavy.”
I set down my cup and turned toward him on the loveseat, pulling my feet up underneath me. I took a shaky breath.
“My mom’s birthday was Christmas Day,” I said.
“To say that we went all out for Christmas is an understatement. The woman loved Christmas and she loved birthdays. So Christmas was always a huge fucking deal for us. Even the year she was sick, she still made sure that Connor and I had full stockings and tons of gifts under the tree, no matter how much she had to scrimp and save to do so.” I picked at the sleeve of my sweater.
“After she died, Christmas lost its magic. My dad checked out mentally and emotionally, so it was on me to make sure Con had gifts to open. I was only fourteen. I kept it up until I left for college, but it was too hard to be a mom and sister while taking a full load of classes and working…” My words trailed off.
Knox reached over, grabbing my hand. A sea of sadness and understanding filled his eyes.
“Anyway,” I continued, taking encouragement from the feeling of his warm hand over mine, “Christmas hasn’t really been the same since she died. I enjoy the season but sometimes I kind of hide myself away from all the festivities.”
“That’s understandable,” he said, squeezing my hand before pulling away. I felt suddenly cold without his warm fingers wrapped around my own. “Your dad, is he around much?”