Boxcar Christmas: Delos Series, Book 8 by Lindsay McKenna

Author:Lindsay McKenna [McKenna, Lindsay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fiction, Military
ISBN: 9781929977574
Publisher: Blue Turtle Publishing
Published: 2017-12-31T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

November 22

The smell of the butter basted turkey made Jesse’s mouth water. She was in the kitchen with Holly, placing the final touches on the sumptuous Thanksgiving meal. Nick’s parents were in Hawaii for Thanksgiving and their wedding anniversary, or they would have come here, too. It was nearly four p.m., and Nick and Travis were setting the table in the open-concept dining area. Their two dogs, Snowflake and Lady, were lying obediently on their beds, watching all the action with great interest, occasionally lifting their noses to the air, sniffing with appreciation. Jesse brought over a bowl of fragrant sage dressing that Holly had already made the gravy for, as well as the mashed potatoes. She was known as the “Gravy Queen” of Hamilton and judging from a taste of it, she was more a chef than a cook in Jesse’s opinion.

“You look really pretty in your pink sweater and jeans,” Holly told her, a gleam in her eyes. “I’ll bet Travis took notice?”

Smiling, Jesse said, “You aren’t going to give up on this, are you?”

Holly handed her the bean casserole. “Nope.”

“I don’t see it.”

“Well, you’re sort of in a hurricane right now. You’ve just left the military and it’s your first year home.” She pointed her chin in the direction of the guys setting the table. “I met Nick shortly after he left the military. A lot of our issues were clustered around his symptoms.”

“And yet you overcame them?”

“We love one another,” Holly said, her voice softening, picking up the platter with slices of dark and light turkey meat on it. “And that’s what will get you and Travis through the tough days, too.” She beamed. “Well, that and a dog or two.”

Following Holly across the cedar floor to the huge round, antique oak table, she placed the casserole on a trivet. Both men lifted their noses, smelling the air, emulating the dogs earlier.

“I’m starved,” Nick said, winking at Holly, taking the large, bulky platter from her.

“Makes two of us,” Travis joined in, standing back, pleased with their efforts.

“Come on,” Holly said, “you can help us bring in the rest of the food. I want to eat it while it’s still hot.”

In no time, they were sitting down at the table. Holly wanted to say a prayer, so they all joined hands, bowed their heads and closed their eyes. Her prayer was short, but filled with emotion. They had already baked three turkeys in the charity kitchen below their apartment yesterday and made sure that every one of the elderly shut-ins had a wonderful turkey dinner at noon today, replete with a big slice of pumpkin pie and whipped cream. Now, it was their turn to sit down and enjoy their well-earned meal.

Jesse fought the urge to stare at Travis. He’d dressed up in a red flannel shirt with a black leather vest over it and black chinos, plus a pair of hiking boots. He’d showered and trimmed his beard earlier, too. Nick was in a pair of ivory chinos and wearing a bright red sweater.

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