Page 73 of From the Embers

“Yeah? Is that all you have to say? I didn’t know you were up to I love yous.”

“Well, I didn’t want to say anything just in case.”

“In case what?” The buzz for my door doesn’t break me out of my hands-on-hips stance, not until she gives me some info. “Carrie!”

“In case it didn’t work out, I guess. I haven’t dated or gone steady in a while.”

“Well, Rupert can report back to me in the future. I assume that he approves?”

“Rupes is a Goldie! He loves everyone.”

We both laugh. “Well, I think he’d put his foot down if Nicholas wasn’t a good guy. I’m happy for you. You should have brought him!”

Carrie shrugs. “I thought about it, but next time. He bought me a new telescope, we’re gonna try it out some time.”

“I bet!” I waggle my eyebrows as I edge towards the door and buzz Abby and Daryl in. “We’re not done talking about this,” I holler.

Eric and Brax said they’d come over later, too. Eric stepped up with Rachel and they’re going steady. So it’ll be a good chance to get to know her a little better.

Abby and I have become great friends these past few weeks, kind of surreal that we all knew each other forever ago. And here we are. Their folks and mine are on their way a little later, our moms are bringing desserts—which I think will consist of a mountain of pies—while we tackle the rest here. Turkey is already in the oven. Denver should be here any minute too with Hope. We stayed at his place last night and they went to grab Hope’s things and some extra supplies at the store. She’s like his little shadow, it’s so cute.

The only thing missing is Delaney, but she’s planning a visit in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait to show her around.

“You better bring him next time,” I say. “You deserve to have the very best, sis.”

“We both do. We just got to find a nice girl for Daryl now.”

“That’s true. We might have to set him up on some blind dates.”

We both have a laugh before they all arrive because Daryl isn’t the kind of guy who likes those kinds of surprises.

It’s not long before the kitchen is bustling with us girls, while Daryl tries to make himself useful by chopping vegetables at the kitchen island.

When Denver and Hope arrive, Rupert lets out a hearty woof because he loves her and she gives Rupes long belly rubs. He practically splays on the floor waiting for one whenever she’s around.

Hope hobbles up the hall and wraps her arms around me as I pull her into a big hug. Her injuries have been healing well, but she’s still a bit slow on her feet. “Wow, honey, what was that for?” I say as Denver rounds the corner and walks over to quickly peck my lips before he greets anyone else.

“Thank you for the unicorn!” She waves the big purple soft toy we got her as a surprise in the air. “Duckie loves her! And Mr. Pickles will, too!”

Denver gives Daryl a pound hug and it’s then I notice he has Duckie under his arm. It tugs at the corners of my mouth what a sweetheart he really is and how good he is at this. Some conversations have been really difficult, but Denver handles it all with ease.

“You’re welcome, honey. I’m so glad Duckie and unicorn have met and they like each other. Do they want to stay for Thanksgiving?”

“Yessss!” she cries out in delight. It’s probably the first time we’ve seen her so happy and engaged. It comes and goes with her grief and confusion.

We know it will be a long road for her, but one day at a time.

“Well! I best set some extra places for them, hadn’t I?”

Hope toddles off down the hall to her room happily, which is half my office and half her bedroom for the moment. I know she’s going to grab Mr. Pickles. In a flash, she’s coming back down the hall with him.

“Aunty Abby will help!” Abby says, taking Duckie from Denver after he gives her a hug.

“Mr. Pickles loves potatoes!” Hope declares.

That makes us all laugh.

“Ha! Lucky Uncle Daryl makes the best mash potatoes you’ve ever seen!” Daryl puts his bit in.