Page 87 of Save a Wish

Sadie pulled at her dress then rubbed her belly. “I think lots of pie will fit in here.”

“Excellent,” my mother said. “Let’s go.”

She and Jimmy led us back to the farmhouse. It was a bit of a walk, but we all had fun busting on each other’s costumes and Hunter and Amelia started a leaf-throwing attack that had piles of leaves fluttering through the air. Dasha, Maggie, and Merlin came bounding over from wherever they’d been exploring—fortunately not covered in mud this time.

Not that I would have been opposed to cleaning up with Sadie again.

But pie first.

Inside my mother’s kitchen, we made quick work of lining up each of the seven pies that had been baked by original Hartleys. We had my pumpkin, Darius’s apple, Logan’s blueberry, Isaac’s peanut butter pie, Joshua’s ice cream pie, Vanessa’s chocolate chip cookie pie, and Mom’s bourbon and caramel pecan pie. I’d say the spread rivaled Sugar Rush Bakery’s offerings, but my pumpkin pie recipe with a special streusel topping had actually come from Ellen who owned the bakery.

“I have never seen so many beautiful pies in one location before.” Sadie’s eyes were wide as she licked her lips in anticipation.

“And this is a woman who has attended royal balls, people,” I said.

“Those royal balls would have been way more fun if they were all-pie dinners.” Sadie took the plate my mother handed her.

“Well, dive in, kids,” Mom said. “And a word to the wise, Sadie, start with small pieces so you can taste them all. It’s tempting to take huge chunks of pie at the start.”

We each put a slice of pie on our plates and found a spot at the dining room table—plus the extension that had to be added since all of us had found significant others to bring along and children were now involved with Hunter, Amelia, and Little Ben. It wouldn’t be long before more children were added and that table extension might have to stretch into the farmhouse’s living room someday.

As we filled our mouths with delicious pie, I thought about my father. If he was looking down at the Hartleys all gathered together today, enjoying each other’s company and baking skills, was he happy about what we’d become in the years since he’d been gone?

The microwave suddenly beeped in the kitchen, and while my siblings and Mom debated over why it had sounded, I knew why.

Glad you’re happy, Dad.

I scanned the table, pausing on my siblings, their mates, their children, my mother and Jimmy. On Sadie. When she licked whipped cream off her bottom lip, I had to kiss her.

“What was that for?” she asked.

“Just because,” I said.

But I was pretty sure my dad was also telling me to savor all these real moments because no video game could bring the kind of joy that love could.

Chapter Thirty

Sadie

“I can’t decide which one I like best,” I said after sampling everyone’s pie.

“Hey.” Beckett elbowed me. “You’re automatically supposed to say you like mine best.”

“Oh, right. Of course.” I pressed my hands together. “My apologies.” I turned to face Hunter who had been the one to ask me to choose a favorite. “The pumpkin pie is my favorite.”

“I like the ice cream one the best,” Amelia said.

“But I made the peanut butter pie per your request, Tiny,” Isaac said.

“I like that one too, Daddy.” Amelia swiped at her hair to get it out of her way. “But Uncle Joshua used moose tracks ice cream and I looove moose tracks ice cream.”

“That’s why I used moose tracks ice cream.” Joshua winked at Amelia, making her wiggle in her seat.

“Thanks!” She eyed the pies still on the table. “Can I have another piece of the ice cream pie?”

“Sure.” Logan got up and grabbed Amelia’s empty plate. “There are no limits on Pie Dinner Night.”

“I’m sending her to you when the sugar high comes,” Isaac said.