Chapter 57
“Ireally hope she likes it,” I say as we walk up the path to Kade’s parents’ house.
“She’ll love it. Pumpkin pie’s her favorite.”
Kade rests a hand at the small of my back, gently guiding me forward while I clutch the pie, nerves bubbling just beneath the surface.
It’s been four months since that day at the lake—since I almost drowned. Some days are still hard, for both me and Kade, but together we’re doing okay. Healing isn’t linear, but we’re getting there.
A couple of days after the accident, Kade called my parents.
They weren’t shocked, considering Caleb’s body had already been taken back to Glenwood Hills by his family.
I’d love to say that when Kade told them I almost died and was still being monitored in the hospital for fear of secondary drowning, they expressed concern or worry for their only daughter.
But that wasn’t the case. I’ve long since accepted that my parents never cared about me the way Kade’s parents care about him.
Does it make me sad? Yeah, a little. But the family I’ve found here in Mayridge is more than enough, so the sadness doesn’t stick around for long.
A few days ago, we went to the police station and were given the final update on the investigation into Caleb. Some of it was hard to hear, but it brought a kind of closure we both needed.
After searching his camper, they found a disturbing amount of evidence that corroborated my statement—live footage from hidden cameras he’d planted in my house, and hundreds of photos. Of me. Of Kade. Of his family.
They also recovered tools that linked him directly to the scaffolding tampering.
The only thing they couldn’t tie him to was the Fourth of July—when I was drugged. He’d confessed that part to me directly but there was no proof, just his words burned into my memory.
We are still no closer to finding out how Caleb found me, but the police suspect he used a private investigator, but seeing as Caleb is no longer around, I don’t have to live in fear that this would happen again. Mayridge is safe for me now. Probably safer than it’s ever been.
“Hey.” Kade’s voice pulls me gently out of my thoughts. I glance up to find him watching me, his brow slightly creased. “We can leave whenever you want if today gets too much."
I exhale slowly, the cold air turning my breath to mist. The pie is still warm in my hands, grounding me. I look at the front door—wreath on the glass, voices faintly echoing inside, laughter spilling out like light through the windows.
“I’m fine,” I say, softer than I mean it to be. But I am. Maybe not perfectly fine. But I’m standing here. With him.
And that counts for something.
He nods, and squeezes my side gently, then leans in to press a quick kiss to the side of my head. “Alright. Let’s go be thankful.”
Walking into the house, the warmth hits first.
Then the smell—roasted turkey, cinnamon, cloves, something buttery and sweet baking in the oven. It wraps around me like a blanket, thick with comfort.
Kade closes the door behind us, and before I can even take a full step forward, his mom is there.
“Liv!”
Her arms are around me before I can say a word. The pie nearly slipping from my hands as she pulls me into a hug, one that’s tight, and full of love. She smells like rosemary, flour, and something deeply nostalgic I can’t quite name.
I freeze for half a second, then let myself exhale into the hug.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” she whispers near my ear, her voice thick with meaning.
I nod as we pull apart, blinking faster than I want to. I know Cora’s been worried—about me, about Kade, about all of it. For a while after the accident, Cora was practically a permanent visitor at Kade’s house, always showing up to make sure we were okay.
“I wouldn’t have missed it, I’ve heard amazing things about your Thanksgiving Dinner,” I say softly, a small smile flickers across my face.
I lift the pie in my hands, suddenly bashful. “I made pumpkin pie.”
Her face lights up as she takes it from me gently. “Aren’t you the sweetest. Pumpkin pie just happens to be my favorite.”
I glance sideways at Kade, smirking. “I may have had some insider information.”
Cora tracks my gaze, narrowing her eyes at her son in mock seriousness, though the warmth in her smile betrays her.
“I plead the fifth,” Kade says with a grin, tossing me a wink.
Cora takes the pie from my hands with a grateful smile. “Why don’t you head into the living room? Everyone’s in there watching the game. Dinner won’t be long.”
“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” I ask, glancing toward the kitchen.
“Positive. I’ve got everything under control.” She winks, then turns and disappears through the swinging door, pie in hand and purpose in her step.
Kade gently steers me toward the living room, his hand brushing the small of my back.
The living room is cozy and full of life—blankets draped over the backs of couches, a football game humming softly from the TV, and the scent of Thanksgiving dinner still hanging warm in the air.
Kade’s dad is settled in an armchair by the fireplace, a drink in hand and an easy, content expression on his face. “Well, look who finally showed up,” he teases as we step inside, rising to his feet with a grin.
He pulls Kade into a hug first, giving him a hearty slap on the back before turning to me.
“Hello sweetheart how are you doing today?” he asks, his voice gentler now as he draws me into a tight, fatherly hug.
“I’m doing good. Thanks,” I say, the words quiet but steady.
“That’s what I like to hear.” He smiles, then claps Kade on the shoulder, giving him a small nod—one that says a lot without needing to say anything at all. Kade smiles back and slides an arm around my waist, pulling me close.
We make our way around the room, exchanging greetings.
Brandon and Trent, both give me the same tentative look—it's been this way since the accident. They’re more cautious around me now, even though they don’t need to be.
I guess it shows they care, but I can’t help hoping that one day they’ll look at me like I didn’t almost die.
I return their hesitant smiles with one of my own, just as Aubrey jumps to her feet.
“Finally.” she says, practically throwing herself into my arms. “The testosterone levels in here were starting to suffocate me.” She laughs, then tugs me toward an open seat tucked in the corner of the room.
Kade settles on the arm of the couch nearby, already drawn into a conversation with Brandon and Trent. I take a moment to look at Trent—standing beside the couch, arms folded across his chest, mid-story, a faint smile tugging at his mouth.
"How’s he doing?" I ask quietly, nodding toward Trent.
Aubrey follows my gaze, a softness settling in her expression. "He's doing really good," she says with a small smile.
I smile, eyes drifting back to Trent just as he says something that makes Brandon shake his head and Kade grin. "I'm glad," I say, my voice low but sincere.
My eyes drift across the room. “Hey, where’s Conrad?” I ask Aubrey.
She lets out a soft sigh. “Couldn’t get leave. Mom cried, obviously. She’s trying to be strong, but him joining the military hit her harder than she lets on.”
She pauses for a beat, then adds, “Lucy was invited, but her family is in town. Though I’m sure coming here without Conrad is hard for her. We all understand but obviously it makes mom sad.”
I nod, a dull ache settling in my chest. I know Conrad leaving for training has been hard on everyone—but especially on Lucy.
Before I can say anything else, Cora’s voice calls out from the kitchen, warm and commanding in that motherly way that makes people actually listen.
“Alright, everybody—dinner’s ready! Let’s get to the table before it gets cold!”
There’s a shuffle of movement around the room as people start rising, conversations trailing off mid-sentence. The football game is muted, laughter echoing off the walls as chairs scrape and footsteps move toward the dining room.
Kade stands, offering me his hand like it’s second nature, and I take it without thinking. He guides me to the table and pulls out a chair for me, flashing a wink that sends a flutter through my chest and turns my knees to jelly.
One by one, everyone finds their seat, the room buzzing with quiet chatter and clinking silverware. But before anyone can reach for a dish, Cora remains standing, a dish towel still tucked into her apron and that familiar no-nonsense glint in her eyes.
“Alright,” she says, smiling as she looks around the table. “Just like every year, before we dive into this food, I want us to go around the table and say what we’re thankful for.”
Groans ripple from a few family members, but they’re good-natured—it’s a tradition, so I’ve been told, that’s been around for years.
One by one, they stand and share what they’re thankful for, each voice unique, weaving together the story of this family.
Kade rises, hands folded in front of him. His eyes find mine, heavy with emotion. “I’m thankful for my girl. I love you so much, and I’m thankful every day that you’re here—and safe.”
He slides back into his seat, reaching out to cup my face. His lips meet mine softly. When he breaks the kiss, I hear the faintest sniffle as he rests his forehead against mine.
He leans back into his chair, and I stand, my voice steady but full of feeling. “I’m thankful for Kade—he saved me in more ways than he’ll ever know, I love you so much. And I’m thankful for my newfound family.”
As I sit down, I swipe a tear from my cheek and smile softly. I catch Henry and Cora’s eyes, their smiles tender and full of unspoken understanding. But it’s Kade’s hand resting on my thigh that draws me back to him.
“Us against the world, baby.”
“Forever?” I ask.
“Always.” He answers, sealing it with another kiss as the room begins to fill with the sounds of plates being passed and laughter rising.
If you’d told me growing up that there was a world waiting for me—one filled with choices and freedom, a family who loved me like I was their own, and a man who made my heart ache in the best way—I wouldn’t have believed you.
I made a choice once, to run away from a life that was cold and empty. The road hasn’t been easy, but right here, at this table, surrounded by this family, and Kade by my side—I’d make that same choice again and again, every single time, just to have this.
I catch Kade’s eye and smile, the future no longer a daunting unknown but a horizon we’ll face side by side.
Whatever comes next, we’re ready.
Because some stories don’t end with the closing of a book—they begin with the beating of hearts brave enough to love and fight for tomorrow.
THE END