Page 266 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

“A guy I know sort of inspired me— gave up eighty full hours of his time.”

“Sounds like a stud.”

“Oh, he is,” she assured him. “Trust me, he is.”

Ellie liked Nash’s references to the future, whether it was a comment about tomorrow night’s dinner, his question about new pursuits, or the way he spoke about Thanksgivings at Copeland Brothers Ranch and how he couldn’t wait for her to see how they celebrated, it gave her a thrill every time.

Nash wanted to be a part of her future as much as she wanted to be part of his, and that made Ellie look forward to it all the more.

CHAPTER 31

Nash had said that Thanksgivings at Copeland Brothers Ranch were something to behold, and he hadn't been kidding. They knew how to do it right. Appetizers started before noon, the main meal just after two, and now that five o’clock was nearing, it was just about time for pie.

Since her first pie-making experience back in September, when she learned how to make peach pie, Ellie had added half a dozen more to her domestic repertoire.

As Halloween neared, the family teamed up with the Emersons to create the harvest corn maze and fun center Jackie told them about. By way of refreshments offered at the event, the men and women from both families worked together to pick apples and make six dozen beautiful pies. They divided and froze those pies, baking just three a night while the corn maze was open throughout the month of October. The pies were cut and sold by the slice, first come, first served. All proceeds went into the donation pot, along with the contributions made for entries, tractor rides, and games, totaling a whopping $5000 for the Convoy of Hope. In addition, an anonymous donor—and yes, Elliewouldmaintain her anonymity—doubled the donation for a grand total of 10K.

Halfway into November, Ellie learned to make several more pies in preparation for the big Thanksgiving feast and the plentiful leftovers they all counted on. They made razzleberry, pecan, and cherry, which were similar to the fruit pies she'd already made; quite different, however, was her experience with pies such as lemon meringue and blueberry cream. And man, were those delicious. But her favorite, so far, was the process of making pumpkin pies.

Ellie recalled the childlike excitement that sprang up during their visit to the Bagleys’ Pumpkin Patch. It had been a family affair, the men pushing wheelbarrows while the ladies picked out the perfect pumpkins for pies. They picked a few large pumpkins to decorate their porches, which looked adorable next to a cluster of corn stalks, Jackie stated, and she was right.

They'd gathered on a later day to scoop out the centers and bake the pumpkins while Grandma C and Rosie prepped and seasoned the pumpkin seeds for toasting. Once the pumpkins were pureed, it was time to add the spices, and that’s when the magic happened. Scents of warm cinnamon and spicy clove melded with the earthy, sweet scent of pumpkin, creating the most mouthwatering aroma. But it did more than that; the fantastic fall scent—which smelled just like her favorite autumn candle—gave Ellie all those wonderful, fall-time feels.

Ellie soon learned that this family didn't bother with canned whipping cream, which was often delivered to Ellie’s suite when she ordered a hot chocolate bar or pancakes with fruit. The Copelands used real cream that they whipped up with a mixer, adding just a bit of sugar for that perfect creamy topping—a topping Ellie was currently whipping in the kitchen.

"Aunt Jackie says she and Grandma C are trading shifts with us," Nash announced as Ellie finished whipping the cream. He dipped his finger into the bowl and dabbed the tip of her nose before licking his finger. "Mmm…"

Ellie’s heart fluttered. Nash’s hypnotic gaze never failed to affect her. She gave him some Eskimo kisses, the two grinning before wiping the topping off their noses.

She set her mind back on what he’d told her. "Trading shifts?" A glance into the adjacent family room gave her the answer she was seeking; the two women were cuddling the newest additions to the Copeland crew. Babies Ian and Isaac were born just four days apart, a few weeks after Halloween, meaning they were just over two weeks old.

"It's our turn with the babies?" Ellie was already removing her apron in preparation and heading to the sink to wash her hands. She and Nash were probably the only ones who hadn't had a turn cooing over the baby boys that afternoon. Ellie could hardly wait to get some snuggles from those sweet little bundles.

Baby Jane, of course, was making the rounds as well, happily smiling, babbling, and impressing everyone with her latest accomplishment—sitting up. By Christmas, she might even be crawling, Belle had announced proudly with a grinning Cash by her side.

Nash and Ellie made their way into the front room and took seats on the sofa to receive Isaac—Nash took him—and Ian, who went to Ellie. Yet just as Grandma C and Jackie started to head to the kitchen, Cash blew out a short whistle to gain everyone's attention.

Ellie glanced about to see most of the others seated around the family room and the adjacent dining area. Bonnie and Clyde thundered into the room, one after the next. Clyde chased a toy-toting Bonnie around the coffee table once, twice, and stopped short when Bonnie darted onto Lloyd’s lap with a great bound.

Resigned, Clyde curled up at the foot of Lloyd’s recliner chair and began licking his paws.

"Who are we still missing?" Lloyd asked as he wiggled the toy from Bonnie’s teeth.

Wes shot to his feet and started heading toward the back patio. "Looks like Rem, Wyatt, and Wade."

"I'll go with you to get them," Rosie cheered, already hopping to her feet and skipping toward Wes. He took Rosie's little hand and headed toward the patio.

Ellie set her eyes back on the sleeping perfection in her arms. “You’re the sweetest little thing ever, aren’t you?” she asked him. “And you too,” she said, leaning over to take in Ian’s adorable little cousin.

"What are they doing out back?" she heard Lloyd ask.

Nash shrugged, his gaze focused on Isaac. "You got me."

Soon, the stragglers came into the room and Belle, who was now standing beside Cash with baby Jane on her hip, told everybody they had an announcement.

"Rosie already has three baby cousins—Jane, Ian, and Isaac. We’re excited to announce that soon, Jane will have a little brother or sister, and the Copelands will add another cousin to the count."

She barely got the words out before the women rushed toward her with oohs and ahs of celebration. Ellie carefully got to her feet and shuffled with the sweet baby to join the crowd, smiling as the ladies hugged Belle, then Cash, in turn.