by Ava Miles
“Can we, Mark?” Paige asked. “And, on a more serious note, thank you to Mark. You’re the love of my life, and you taught me everything I know about how to love someone. Haley, my precious girl. Thank you for letting me be your mama. And to our little one inside me… Oh, I can’t wait to meet you.”
Sadie felt Riley lurch against her.
“I’m pregnant,” Paige whispered. “Due about the same time as Susannah.”
Sadie flew out of her chair and hugged her sister.
“Thank goodness she finally said!” Haley told Jess. “I was going crazy keeping it to myself after they told me this morning.”
More hugs were given. More tears shed. Sadie was especially touched when Paige placed Riley’s hand on her belly and said, “This is your future niece or nephew.”
He had a glazed look on his face, but it turned into a grin. “I’ll be ready with his or her superhero outfit.”
Paige nodded, and then Riley man-hugged Mark off the floor. Jess did a little dance and hugged Haley.
“Yay, you’re gonna have a brother or sister,” she said. “Finally!”
“I know!” the little girl echoed, and they hugged each other tightly.
When everyone settled back into their chairs, Mark took his wife’s hand. “I’ll be brief. Paige and Haley, I love you with all my heart. To our new family, thank you for welcoming us like you have. And to Riley and Jess—and now Sadie—you’re the best neighborhood family in the world.”
“I’m grateful for my new brother or sister, and my mama and daddy,” Haley said. “And Jess. Okay, and Riley too. And Sadie for moving in next door.”
“I’m grateful for Sadie marrying my dad soon and becoming my mama,” Jess said, looking straight at her and breaking her heart.
The little girl had embraced her completely as her new mama, and she got choked up every time she thought of it. She was going to do everything she could to live up to it.
“I’m grateful for everybody,” Annabelle said. “Rory, be quick. I’m starving.”
Her brother gave a half smile. “I’m grateful for everybody too. And our dogs.”
“Right,” Annabelle said. “Them too. Uncle Rye? You go.”
Rye settled back in his chair. “Tory’s up. I’m last.”
Tory looked down at Boone. “I’m grateful for our son, and for Rye. Most days. The rest of you guys know how much I love you. Okay, Rye, make it quick.”
“Honey, I don’t do anything quick,” he said, standing up. “I wanted to go last not only because I’m grateful for our son, but because it’s like Daddy said. We had a bunch of holidays growing up that were different than they are now. A lot of that is because of the people in this room, but most of it is because we all remembered what’s really important.”
Sadie’s eyes blurred when Rye paused and coughed to clear his throat.
“I might have been one of the most pig-headed people in this group, which is why it took me so long to get it, but I get it now. I’m grateful for a family who really loves each other and supports the best in each other. Thank y’all for remaking this family right alongside me.”
“It’s like y’all stitched it back together,” Riley whispered.
“We did indeed,” she said, hearing the reverence in his voice.
Hampton raised his wine glass. “Hear, hear.”
Everyone followed suit and raised their glasses.
“To the true meaning of family,” Rye said, clinking glasses with those around him.
Sadie and the others reached as many glasses as they could and then everyone drank to punctuate the toast.
Dinner came and went with lots of laughter and enough food to make everyone feel well fed and nourished.
Needing to walk off her meal, Sadie stood and took Riley’s hand. “How was your first Thanksgiving with us?”
“Perfect,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Sadie McGuiness, I love the heck out of you.”
Words guaranteed to curl her toes. “I love you back.”
Rye put a hand on Riley’s shoulder. “I think it’s time you and me had a bourbon.”
Her fiancé’s mouth twitched. “Ah… Right. Your new drinking partner is out of commission for a while.”
Rye nodded to Paige. “Couldn’t have happened to a better person. Another baby. We’re going to be bursting at the seams with all the babies this group will have. Of course, I’m trying to talk Tory into having another right away. Every time I mention it, she threatens to bean me with her favorite cast-iron frying pan. Come on, bubba. Let’s drink.”
Riley gave Sadie one last look. “Come find me in twenty minutes. I have a feeling Rye can drink me under the table.”
“You bet your ass,” Rye said. “Wanna come, sugar?”
Sadie shuddered. “No thank you. I’m going to congratulate Paige again.”
Riley grinned. “It’s the best news ever. A new baby next door…” Rye led him off, and her man gave her an amused shrug before following.
Sadie headed over to her sister. “Oh, Paige,” she said. “I’m so happy for y’all.”
“I know,” Paige said. Her mascara had slightly run, but she’d never looked more beautiful to Sadie. “The news was so surprising, and yet Mark’s right—somehow it was all perfect. It was like meeting y’all and becoming part of this family opened us up to a miracle. Sadie…I owe you so much.”
“I owe you back,” she said, hugging her tight.
“You know the quilt you mentioned wanting us to make together,” Paige said, pulling away. “I’ve been doing some thinking about it.”
She’d had the idea they should collaborate on one about their family, and she’d already given thought to the color palette they might want to use. Somehow she had to find a way to use all the colors since each of the people around them represented the full spectrum of love in her life. There had to be hearts and chocolate flowers and something that represented music, obviously, or Rye would hem and haw to high heaven.
“I think we should call it the patchwork quilt of happiness,” Paige said, “and rotate it from family to family. It feels…important for everyone to have a share of it somehow.”
“I love that idea,” Sadie said, feeling her heart swell to bursting.
Paige gazed at her steadily. “I also have a suggestion for the prayer we can sew inside this quilt.”
Sadie felt tears gather in her eyes. “Tell me.”
“May our family always be happy,” Paige said, gesturing to everyone in the room.
Sadie thought about everything they’d all gone through. How Rye and his entire family had found their way back to each other better than ever. How she and her siblings had faced down their father’s abandonment and healed, and how they’d found Paige, their new sister. And how they’d welcomed in spouses and a grandmother along the way.
“I have a better idea. How about we change it slightly from a prayer to a promise? Our family will always be happy.”
A smile crested across Paige’s face. “That’s perfect!”
As Sadie looked across the expanse of the chocolate garden at all of their loved ones, young and old, current and future generations alike, she affirmed that promise in her own heart and knew it would be so.
* * *
Curious about what’s next after Dare River? Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to hear. Exciting things are coming…
Did you know I put out another cookbook called HOME BAKED HAPPINESS? If you loved COUNTRY HEAVEN COOKBOOK, you’re going to want this one! We’re talking bread, muffins, scones, our family cinnamon rolls, etc. Is your mouth watering yet?
Can’t wait to read more of my stories? Make sure you have all of them. I have lots of them (fiction and non-fiction). Check out the full book list. You might have missed something!
Interested in becoming your own superhero? I have a highly acclaimed self-help/spiritual series called THE GODDESS GUIDES to being a woman that I’d love to share with you on topics that trip many of us women up in our
quest to be our best and happiest selves. Think of the woman in Jess’ princess quilt.
Ready for more awesomeness? Join my Facebook community or follow me on Instagram. I’m known for fun and motivational posts guaranteed to make your day happier and inspire you.
* * *
Dear Reader,
Dare River has been all about reuniting families since COUNTRY HEAVEN, and we’ve gone through the beautiful reconnection of both Rye’s family and now the McGuinesses’. It’s been a beautiful journey, and this book marks the end of this incredible series, one that has changed my life and so many of yours too from all your messages. I want to thank Rye especially for being the first character to come to life for me. You’ll always be in my heart, my friend. I have a feeling you’ll manage to make another appearance in our Dare Valley series, won’t you?
If you enjoyed this book, I would love for you to post a review since it helps more readers want to pick up this story and enjoy it themselves. When you post one, kindly let me know at [email protected] so I can personally thank you. Thank you for spreading the word!
Are you wondering what’s next? Make sure you join my newsletter to find out. More incredible characters and books are coming…
Once again, thank you for loving this series so much and for being part of this extended family. I wish every one of you your own patchwork quilt of happiness with those you love.
Lots of light and blessing,
Ava
About the Author
International Bestselling Author Ava Miles joined the ranks of beloved storytellers with her powerful messages of healing, mystery, and magic. Millions of readers have discovered her fiction and nonfiction books, praised by USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly. Women’s World Magazine has selected a few of her novels for their book clubs while Southwest Airlines featured the #1 National Bestseller NORA ROBERTS LAND (the name used with Ms. Roberts’ blessing) in its in-flight entertainment. Ava’s books have been chosen as Best Books of the Year and Top Editor’s Picks and are translated into multiple languages.
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Acknowledgements
Team Ava, who rocks my world.
Dr. Richa Thapa, goddess extraordinaire, for connecting me to Dr. Kristin Homburg, who provided insights from child psychology for this story.
All the quilters on my Facebook page who provided so much help and feedback and sent me notes. I can’t name you all, but a few people deserve special mention for their extra help, including Char Scott and Jenny Anderson. I did my best to capture this incredible craft, and if I got something wrong, all I can say is, “Oops.”
T.F. For being my patchwork quilt of happiness.
Copyright April 2018, Ava Miles.
ISBN: 978-1-940565-95-8
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means—graphic, electronic or mechanical—without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally.
www.avamiles.com
Ava Miles
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
About the Author
Acknowledgements
