Page 131 of Wilde Ride

Levi smiled as he asked, “Is there a pre-Christmas warm-up dinner?”

I grinned. “No. The Sunday before Christmas is pizza night.”

“Cool! I can’t wait until pizza night!” Rhett exclaimed with excitement.

“Same,” Gatlin said before picking up Rhett and tossing him into the air, causing a round of giggles from the boy.

“You’re going to drop him one of these days, Gatlin Wilde,” my mother chastised as she followed my father in, who set the roast down in the middle of the table. Mom motioned for everyone to sit down. “That’s it, everyone, take your seats.”

The moment everyone was seated, food was passed around.

“May I make your plate for you, Rhett?” I asked.

“Yes, please! Lots of carrots. I love carrots.”

“A young man after my own heart,” my father said with a wink in his direction.

“I want to grow big and strong like you, Papa!”

My heart warmed as my father beamed at Rhett. He’d started calling my father ‘Papa’ and my mother ‘Minnie’ about a month ago, and I knew my parents were over the moon about it. They’d tried to act all nonchalant when it first happened, but I saw my mother’s eyes fill with tears. We still weren’t sure where Minnie came from, but Mom had declared that was her official grandma name.

“Emeline tells us that you’re going to be making your first turkey this week, Levi,” Mom said with a smile.

“I am. I’ve been googling the proper way to thaw and cook it.”

“Think you’re up to the task?” Caden smirked.

“I do, thank you very much.”

Dad had a worried expression. “Please tell me you’re baking it and not trying to fry it?”

“You can fry a turkey?” Levi and Gatlin asked at the same time.

“You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it,” my father said.

Ensley asked, “What sides are you making?”

Levi wiped his mouth and looked around the table, a proud smile on his face. “I’m having stuffing, green bean casserole, fresh cranberry sauce, rolls, and mashed potatoes. Oh, and turkey gravy.”

My mother’s brows shot up. “That’s a pretty hefty menu to handle by yourself.”

“I’m gonna be helping, Minnie!” Rhett told her. “And Emeline’s gonna make the pumpkin pie and stuffing.”

“You’re sure you don’t mind Emeline spending Thanksgiving with us?” Levi asked my parents.

Mom’s grin was answer enough. “We don’t mind at all. I love that the three of you will be spending the day together.”

“We’re still going to a movie afterward, right?” Gatlin asked. “It’s our Wilde family tradition.”

Rhett looked at Levi and asked, “Are we Wilde family now?”

Before Levi could answer, my father did. “Always have been, always will be a part of this family.”

Levi glanced my way and winked. A warm sensation washed over me as our eyes met and held for a few moments.

“Um, hello? Can you not stare at my sister like that at the family table?” Caden complained, spoiling the moment.

“Very funny,” I said, balling up my napkin to throw at him, but my mother quickly interjected.