Page 123 of Thorns and Ashes
“Leave it alone,” she warns before kissing him on the cheek.
He rolls his eyes and nods, but a few moments later, his narrow gaze lands right back on Chief.
“That should be entertaining,” Levi whispers for only me to hear, causing me to chuckle.
“If Blake thinks he can control that,” I discreetly wave toward Chief and Rory, “situation over there, I almost feel bad for him.”
“My money’s on Garrett,” Levi mumbles.
We all watch excitedly as Aeliana, or Sunny as everyone’s taken to calling her, tries mashed potatoes for the first time. The giggle that escapes her as she gets her first taste before diving in with both little hands is by far the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“She eats just like her uncle,” Della teases Caiden, causing an echo of laughter.
Before we dive in for dessert, Tom suggests we take turns going around the table, sharing our favorite Thanksgiving holiday memory and what we’re thankful for.
When it’s finally my turn, I think back on every Thanksgiving I’ve ever had and begin laughing hysterically.
“Is she okay?” Billy asks Levi.
I have to wipe the tears from my face from laughing so hard before I’m able to respond.
“I’m sorry, it’s just...” I laugh again. “This is going to sound crazy on account that I basically almost died today, but this is actually my favorite Thanksgiving memory.”
Rory cackles. “Of course it is.”
“There’s no way,” Mark says in disbelief.
“Unfortunately, yeah,” I admit. “I had a lot growing up, but I didn’t have this.”
I put my hands up and hold them out, motioning to everyone here before continuing. “Thank you all for saving my life today, for saving Thanksgiving, and for showing me what it looks like to truly have people in my life that I can count on,” I say sincerely, looking between them all.
“I’m not saying I’m going to be the perfect person,” I add quickly. “I am still me after all.”
A few laughs chime from around the table.
“But yeah, I guess that’s what I’m most thankful for this year... Oh yeah, and this guy.” I shake my thumb toward Levi.
He grunts before a genuine smile forms on his face as he holds his glass up for a toast. “To the family we make, to the loved ones we keep, and to all those in between that we can’t seem to shake.”
A few peoplewooandaweas everyone clinks their glasses around the table.
“You’re the ‘those in between,’” Billy teases, poking fun at Mark.
“Ha, and what do you think you are, bud?” Mark laughs. “Damn right, though. I’m not going anywhere.”
Laughter carries over to dessert, Mark is ridiculed for his store-bought apple pie, and by the end of the night, everyone is happily stuffed and ready to go home. Except I’m still not sure where home is for us right now. Seeing my slightly panicked expression, Callie walks over with Chief to where I’m helping Ainsley dry some dishes. She nods for Levi to join, so he finishes rearranging the tables back to where they belong and heads over.
“So Chief had his fire investigator take a look at the duplex to determine the cause of the fire,” she starts.
“The day before Thanksgiving?” Levi asks, sounding surprised.
Chief shrugs. “He owes me a few favors.”
“Please tell me it wasn’t the Christmas lights.” My stomach drops. “Levi warned me that they could be a fire hazard. Was this my fault?”
Something gentle moves through Callie’s gaze, and Levi wraps his arm around me.
“It wasn’t anyone’s fault,” Chief reassures me.
