AllFreeNovel
Share Us
EPILOGUE
Two Months Later
Caleb
“That turkey smells delicious, Charlie, I think you’ve outdone yourself this year.” Caleb stood in the doorway of the kitchen and glanced around the crowded space. “I think we’re going to have to move this party somewhere else next year, though. There’s hardly enough room for us to breathe.”
“Yeah? And where would you suggest?” Wade called out from where he sat at the head of one of the two tables they now had set up.
“I don’t know. But we’ve nearly doubled in size. Don’t you think it would be a good idea to figure something out?”
Margot pushed past Caleb with a pan of scalloped potatoes. “I kind of like how crowded it is. Makes it feel homey.”
“Or suffocating,” Carter muttered behind Caleb.
Caleb turned and frowned at his brother. He looked completely exhausted. “Still not sleeping well?”
His twin gave him a dirty look. “What do you think?”
“You want to talk?—”
“Don’t ask me that. I told you. I’m putting all of that in my rearview. I’m not going to talk about what happened or why.” He spun around and headed away from the kitchen toward the stairs. These days it was hit or miss with him. Carter’s poor view of their large family seemed to be lingering. He might be able to understand the importance of a support system, but he still didn’t seem to like it.
Caleb frowned. No one knew better than him how hard it was to rewire his brain and way of thinking. He wished he could help Carter figure it out quicker. Watching his brother struggle was tearing him up in its own way.
Emma materialized from around a corner, holding a casserole dish of what could only be stuffing. She grinned at him like she’d just won the lottery. “Look what I made. Jessica said that it’s even better than my grilled cheese.”
“Well, with that recommendation, who could turn it down?” He reached for her, but she sidestepped him.
“Careful! It’s still hot.” She held up the dish, holding it with two potholders. “Let me put this in the kitchen, and then you can kiss me to your heart’s content.” She winked at him and hurried into the kitchen.
Caleb’s gaze drifted to Jessica, and he offered her a smile. “All done helping Emma move in?”
She nodded. “My mom’s not thrilled that I’m spending Thanksgiving here, but I promised I’d be home for Christmas, so she can’t be too mad.” She glanced into the kitchen and made a comedic grimace. “You weren’t kidding when you said it would be crowded. Maybe you should consider moving this party to Emma’s place next year.”
He gave her a strange look. “A year’s a long way off. What if we’re not even together by that point?”
Jessica’s blank expression made him give her a double take. She ducked her head, a smile spreading across her face. “You’re right. What am I thinking?”
Caleb watched her with confusion. Did she know something he didn’t? He preferred not to count his chickens before they were hatched. While he would like to think that his relationship with Emma would last, there simply was no telling how things would go.
Emma returned to his side and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I can’t wait for you to come visit. I’ve already got lots of plans for my new place.”
“Oh yeah?” he murmured. “Like having my family over for Thanksgiving dinner next year?”
Emma frowned and her eyes darted away. “Did Jessica?—”
“She might have said something.”
“Well, my placeispretty big,” she drawled. “And so is your family.”
Caleb chuckled. “True. I still can’t believe you closed so quickly.”
Emma tilted her head, her eyes dancing. “One of the nice things about having money and fame is that certain things move a little faster.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I guess you have a point.” He had to keep reminding himself that she wasn’t exactly like him. In fact, she was in a completely different universe when it came to finances. Thankfully, she didn’t flaunt it or use it to be manipulative. “I’m sure the folks who sold their place were pretty happy with the price you paid.”
She nodded. “From what I understand, it was a blessing for them as well. Win-Win-Win.”
