by Ava Miles
“I’m so glad.” Her demeanor seemed much older, and it made her think of Rory. The nasty business with his daddy had matured him before his time, but he’d healed with time and love, becoming a much happier boy. She prayed it would be the same way for Jess.
“Thank you for my princess quilt. I know I made you a card, but I’m glad Dad finally got over being silly so I could thank you in person.”
Silly? She looked over to where Riley was standing. He hadn’t moved from the middle of the parking lot, which didn’t seem smart. Why wasn’t he coming over?
“I’m going to go swing with Haley,” Jess said. “My dad wants to talk to you and say he’s sorry.”
Her heart picked up its pace.
“I also wanted to tell you…” Jess ducked her head. “I know I said no one else could be my mother, but Dr. Kate said it would be okay to have another one if I wanted. She said a real mother loves her kids and isn’t like mine. I know I’m not your kid, but if you wanted to be my mom, it would…I’d be okay with it.”
Tears streaked down Sadie’s face. “I’d be more than okay with it, Jess. It would make me so happy to be your mama.”
“Whew. That was intense.” Jess wiped at her tears and hugged her again. “Dad’s really sorry he was so stupid. He doesn’t know, but I’ve heard him crying a few times after he put me to sleep.”
Hold it together. Don’t completely lose it.
“I’ve cried too,” she admitted softly.
“I made him bring your ring,” Jess said, finally giving her a smile. “And something else… Dad, come over here. What are you waiting for?”
A mischievous look flashed in the little girl’s eyes, much like the old Jess, and then she ran off. Sadie rose to her feet slowly as Riley crossed the distance between them.
He held out his hands awkwardly. “I’ve gotten it all wrong, and I’m sorry. I thought I was protecting Jess and you and your family and…I meant well. That’s the only excuse I have. Sadie, I’m sorry. I can’t say it enough.”
His sorrow was obvious, as was his contrition. “I am too.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said, taking the last steps toward her. “Sadie, I love you, and I hope I haven’t ruined things for good. I hope…you can trust me again. That I didn’t remind you too much of your father.”
That puzzled her. “Why ever would you say that?” He was nothing like her father.
“Because I walked away from you,” he said, “and the reasons don’t change the hurt I caused. But I want to fix things. Can I show you something?”
She nodded, and he pulled out a large manila envelope and handed it to her.
“All of these sport jackets have finally come in handy.”
Opening it, she pulled out the papers inside, captivated by the vibrant colors. “Comics? Wait, she looks like me.” And she was wearing all gold, from her breastplate to her short pants.
He sidled up to her. “I told you how much you’ve inspired me, but I finally got her right. This is how I see you. Courageous. Powerful. Kind. Do you see the needles sticking out of her belt?”
They looked like knitting needles to her. “Yes.”
“I couldn’t figure out a way to make quilting sexy, but the concepts are there. She’s called the Weaver, and she uses the thread her mother gave her to do it. I’ll tell you about that another time. The important thing is that she can take a block of time, like one of your quilting blocks, and move it around to create a more just and happier future for the people she helps. Sadie, I want to restitch our future together…if you’ll let me. Can you forgive me enough to be with me again?”
She studied the woman he’d drawn. He’d shown her drawings of herself before, but this woman… She could do anything. She was the woman she’d tried to tell Jess she could become. She was…the woman Sadie wanted to be.
The woman Riley already saw when he looked at her.
Leafing through the rest of the pages he’d brought her, some of them complete, some rough sketches, she felt a smile stretch across her face. Did he know Nathaniel Gray resembled him?
“Do you promise to never shut me out again?” she asked. “Riley, we promised to support each other, and while I understand how much you want to protect Jess—”
“We can’t let villains win,” he said. “I’m sorry I almost allowed that.”
“I’m sorry too,” she said, finally meeting his eyes. “It hurt me, Riley.”
“I know,” he said, putting his hand on her arm. “I’ve been trying to restitch my own heart so I could be brave enough to come after you.”
She finally understood how hard his self-imposed isolation had been on him.
“Will you help me restitch my heart the rest of the way and let me work on yours?”
Her heart would be safe with him again, she knew that deep down in her bones. “I like your comic,” she said, “but the superhero needs a little more clothes.” Goodness, she had long legs, mostly bare.
“We can talk about that,” he said, “if you can forgive me and give me another chance?”
“I forgive you,” she said, “but I’m feeling a little power-hungry after seeing the comic you created.”
His eyes narrowed. “Okay…”
“No iguanas,” she said.
It took him a moment, but then he laughed. “All right. If you’re going to play hardball.”
With that simple teasing exchange, she felt a few pieces of her heart stitch back together on their own. She wiped the tears running down her face. “Jess said you brought my ring.”
He sucked in his breath, almost like he was surprised at her response. “Yes, I…didn’t want to presume, but she insisted I had to. You know how she likes to boss me around.”
That made a laugh sputter out. “Maybe I need to do more of that so you won’t do anything… What did Jess say? Silly?”
“Yeah,” he said, reaching into his jacket. “Silly works. Of course, Paige said I was stupid, and that seems more accurate. Sadie…”
He extended the ring, and she looked at it. The diamond winked at her, as if celebrating their reunion, but the wedding knots in the band drew her eye most. They looked stronger somehow, resting in his large hand, even though she knew it must be her imagination.
“The thread my superhero carries is in knots like this,” he said. “I don’t know if you noticed. I wanted it to be the strongest thread on earth.”
That made her heart soar. “Oh, I love you, Riley,” she said, holding out her left hand. “Of course I still want to be with you.”
He slid the ring on her finger and brought her hand to his mouth, kissing it softly. “I never want to be without you again.”
“Then don’t,” she said, leaning up on her toes. “Now you’d better kiss me or else.”
“Ah…here comes the bossiness.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “I think I’m going to like this side of you.”
She thought of his female superhero. She had some living up to do for it to be her new normal, but she was up for the task. “Me too,” she whispered. “Kiss me again.”
And with the Thomsons cheering alongside Jess in the background, they renewed the promise they’d made to love each other.
Forever.
Chapter 37
The chocolate garden seemed richer and more vibrant despite the end of the season as Sadie and the rest of her family gathered for Thanksgiving at J.P. and Tammy’s home. The children were situated at their special table decorated with the papier-mâché turkeys Jess and Haley had made at school.
Maybe it was because this was her first holiday with someone beside her—the man she was going to marry—but it struck her that everyone was sitting two by two mostly. As she looked around at her siblings and the members of her extended family, she felt a smile touch her face. Even Me-Mother was with them. Sadie’s mama had finally gone to visit her. She’d done the impossible and convinced her to join them for Thanksgiving.
“What?” Riley asked, leaning clos
er.
“Everything seems so…perfect.” She put her napkin on her lap. “I’m so happy, Riley.”
“Me too,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.
They’d done a lot of talking since that day at the park. She’d also gone to one of Riley and Jess’ appointments with Dr. Kate, wanting to be as much of a help as she could. From the first appointment, she’d known Dr. Kate was a miracle worker with kids, much like her mama was with the people she counseled.
Her eyes tracked down the table to where her mama was sitting next to Dale. For so many years, Mama had been their rock. And yet their father’s abandonment had left this hole inside all of them. Now that hole was finally filled. Somehow facing down their daddy in person had given them all the closure they’d been seeking, even Paige.
This was her family now, and she was lucky to have them. J.P. had been father and brother to her, and he would be the one to take her down the aisle when she married Riley. He’d stood by her side with love her whole life, and it seemed more than fitting. It seemed right.
Paige had added the final piece of healing by being a beautiful woman and coming into their family at exactly the right time. Funny how that made her think of Riley’s superhero who wove time. Now that she and Mark and Haley had joined them, the door to the past had been completely closed for all of them.
There was peace in that.
“Before we begin our dinner, I’d love for everyone to go around the table and share what they’re grateful for,” J.P. said, standing at the head. “Mama started this tradition for us McGuinesses a long time ago, when we were having a hard time connecting with gratitude.”
Sadie remembered. Their daddy had been gone for a few years, and times had been hard. They’d had a honey-baked ham courtesy of a local food bank.
“I’ll begin,” J.P. said, taking Tammy’s hand. “I’m grateful for my beautiful wife and our children, and I know I can speak for everyone when I say I’m also grateful for Paige and her family coming into our life like they did. And for Riley and Jess making our Sadie so happy.”
That choked her up, and she could tell Riley felt it too by how red his ears turned.
“I’m grateful to John Parker,” Tammy said, “for always knowing how best to support me. And to Rory and Annabelle, for giving me such joy as their mama.”
Sadie’s mama was next. “I’m grateful for this beautiful family. We’ve grown so much these past years with so many wonderful additions. We’d be here all day if I named them all, but I especially want to say I’m grateful to Paige… She knows why. And to Lenore for joining us and helping us all come together anew. Oh, I’m tearing up.”
Was it any wonder? Me-Mother was sitting next to Dale, looking radiant in a brand new peach dress. J.P. was still hoping she’d eventually move to Dare River—that she’d let them buy her a small home of her own here—and they all planned to show her how lovely it was while she stayed with them for the holiday.
“I think everyone’s entitled to a few tears after the past few months,” Dale said. “I’m grateful for Louisa here, who does so much for so many, and to all of you… I know I don’t say much, but y’all mean the world to me.”
Sadie had to wipe at the tears streaking down her face. She leaned in to Riley.
“It’s always like this,” she whispered. “We all end up crying.”
He looked a little alarmed, but rubbed her back in comfort.
“I’m more than grateful to be here with y’all,” Me-Mother said. “I feel blessed beyond words. Thank you, each of you, for welcoming this old woman with open arms. You’re a treasure to me.” Her lip quivered and then she waved a hand like she was finished.
“I guess I’m next,” Susannah said, sniffing. “I’m grateful for my wonderful husband, Jake. And for the baby we’re going to have this May.”
“That tops my list,” Jake said, “along with my beautiful wife here.”
Everyone stood up, exclaiming, and started to form a line to hug the happy couple.
“Oh, this is such good news,” Sadie told Riley. She remembered how afraid Jake had been to have children, given his recovery from PTSD. He’d worked hard to overcome it, and now they were going to have the family they’d always wanted.
When they were all back in their chairs, Amelia Ann made a show of dabbing a napkin under her eyes. “Are we going to get through this? Well, I’m grateful for my husband here, and for all the people I can help using the law.”
Amelia Ann hadn’t picked up the new comic series, which hadn’t yet gone on sale, but Sadie thought she was a lot like Nathaniel Gray, something she’d told Riley.
“I’m grateful for this woman here,” Clayton said, “and for the heart she puts into everything she does.”
“I didn’t hear you say you’re grateful to me for being your boss,” Rye joked.
Clayton rolled his eyes. “Like being your manager is any picnic. Mama?”
Georgia was up from Florida, visiting for the holiday. “I can say I was rarely grateful while I was Rye’s manager, but that was when he ran wild. Good to see you settling down, son.”
Sadie had to laugh. Only Georgia could get away with calling Rye ‘son.’
“I’m grateful to see the man my boy has become. Your daddy would be so proud. And for Amelia Ann. You’re the perfect partner for Clayton, and I don’t worry about him none now.”
“How nice,” Amelia Ann said, lifting her wine glass. “Cheers to me. Shelby, you’re next.”
Sadie’s middle sister sat back in her chair and patted Vander’s knee. “I’m grateful for hot stuff here.”
“Nice,” he said, shaking his head and laughing. “Classy.”
“We need some levity,” Shelby said. “And for all of my family, old and new. I love y’all.”
Vander handed her his napkin so she could dry the tears leaking from her eyes. “I never imagined having a family like this. I’m grateful. That’s all.”
“Succinct and to the point,” Shelby said, teasing him. “He’s so cute when he gets emotional.”
“Don’t make me—”
“Promises, promises,” Shelby said, interrupting.
“It’s Hampton’s turn,” J.P. said, clearly wanting to move things along.
The older man looked around the room, taking his time. “It’s been said, but it bears saying again. I’d like to say how thankful I am for this family. We had a lot of holiday celebrations when our children were growing up, but we were missing something. I’m glad we’ve finally found it. And to my wife here… We went through a lot. I’m glad we found a way to be happy together. It’s a good feeling. And to all my grandkids… I love y’all to pieces.”
“Me too, Grandpa,” Annabelle cried out. “Will everyone go faster? I’m hungry.”
“Annabelle,” Rory said. “I told you to eat your snack.”
“I didn’t want a snack,” she said. “I wanted dinner.”
J.P. was laughing. “We’re almost there, honey. Margaret, it’s your turn.”
Sadie leaned forward. Rye’s mama had been a hard woman, but she’d softened tremendously, which was why she and Hampton had found their way to reconciling after a long separation. “I’m grateful for my children. I mean, our children. For them being…kind to me and showing me…there was a better way to be. Thank y’all.”
“Nicely put, Mama,” Rye said, kissing her cheek. “Sadie, why don’t you go next? I’d like to go last.”
Tory gave him a look like he was purposefully being difficult, but Rye only shrugged.
Honestly, Rye could be as difficult as he pleased if you asked Sadie, after what he’d done for her and Riley. She’d decided to make him a thank-you quilt, one redolent with all the power, charm, and kindness he now exhibited.
“Okay, I’m happy to go,” she said. “I’m especially grateful this year for my wonderful Riley and his beautiful daughter, Jess, who are my new family.”
She thought of the other children they would have, and the quilts she would ma
ke them as they progressed through their lives. She planned to show each of them what was possible and remind them of who they truly were inside. Superheroes, all of them.
“I’m also so happy and grateful Paige took my quilting class and gave us all a chance to be her family.”
“Me too!” Haley said, making everyone chuckle. “What’s so funny? I am grateful.”
“And I’m grateful for you too, Haley,” Sadie said. “And for your dad. Y’all are my new neighborhood family. We’re going to have a lot of fun living next door to each other.”
“Yes, we are,” Riley said, clearing his throat. “I guess it’s my turn. I’m grateful for Sadie, for having the biggest heart of almost anyone I know. For my daughter, Jess, whom I love so much, for Paige, whom I consider a sister, and for Haley.”
“What about me?” Mark asked with a grin.
“I’m thankful for you too, you…silly head,” Riley said, making the kids giggle. “Okay, who’s next?”
She realized how nervous he’d been when he released a big breath.
“I’ll go,” Paige said. “I’m…”
She stopped, and tears filled her eyes. Sadie wiped the ones that had started streaming down her face.
“Give me a moment,” she said, sniffing and dashing at her tears.
“Take your time,” Mark whispered, taking her hand.
She nodded. “All of you know I didn’t grow up having Thanksgiving, and when I had my first one with Mark and his family I…I was kinda a mess. Well, I’m a mess here too, but that’s only because I’m so grateful for all of you. Sadie, thank you for coming to our door and asking me to be your sister, and to all of the rest of you—J.P., Susannah, and Shelby—I could never have imagined better siblings than you.”
J.P. had to grab a napkin, and that made Sadie smile through her own water works.
“I’m taking a while, but I just have so much to be grateful for. Louisa, thank you too. You know why. And Me-Mother…and the rest of y’all. Oh, and Rye, for letting me have your number in my cell phone.”
She laughed, and so did everyone else.
“I can send you an autographed poster too, if you’d like, sugar. Would look right good in your parlor,” Rye said, giving her a mischievous wink.
