Every Step After: A Sweet Romance with Mystery by Kate Goodwin

Author:Kate Goodwin [Goodwin, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2024-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

You really should not have had that 4th cup… By 2:00 Thanksgiving Day I am positively vibrating. I think I can feel the caffeine in every cell of my body. But I didn’t sleep well last night and got up early to put the turkey in. So those repeat shots of espresso seemed like a good idea at the time.

“Mom?” Jared calls down the stairs. “Have you seen my red flannel anywhere? I know how you like us to dress for the season and all.”

“Yep, it’s hanging in your closet! I ironed it last night,” I call back, my face splitting into an even wider smile. I’d picked him up from O’Hare yesterday afternoon and it felt so, so good to have him home. Even if it was only for a few days. I had been a little nervous to tell him about inviting Bash over for Thanksgiving dinner. But he’d been typical Jare about it. Listened quietly, asked a few questions then responded with kindness and support. This 18-year-old had greater emotional maturity than most people my age.

“We did good, Rob,” I whisper to the stove, wiping my hands on my apron.

One hour to go til the guests arrive. Time to put in the casseroles. I’m so nervous my hands are shaking. Or maybe it’s the espresso. Both, definitely both. You’ll likely drop the turkey platter carrying it from the kitchen. Won’t that be fun!

I smile to myself as I pop one particular dish into the oven, wondering if he’ll notice. I’ve got quite a spread ready for today, so he might not. I’ve been prepping and cooking all week. But it’s my family. They’re worth it.

The house smells amazing and, if I do say so myself, looks pretty good too. The table is a beautiful display of my Gram’s china, handmade name cards and brass candlesticks positioned in the faux fall foliage. I may not have a natural eye for decorating but I’m well-versed in Pinterest. With it being Jared’s first visit back home since starting school and our first thanksgiving without Rob… I just want everything perfect.

Jared comes down the stairs looking like a dashing lumberjack and restores the smile to my face. He lets out a low whistle. “Mom, wow. You’ve outdone yourself. You know Aunt Amelia’s going to rag on you for overdoing it right?”

We both chuckle, knowing its true. She’s always teased that I brought the sugar to the family, and she brought the spice. All I know is that my life would be far more boring without her.

The doorbell rings and Jared turns saying, “I’ll get it!”

It takes everything in me to not stop him from opening the door. Based on the timeliness, I know it’s Bash on the other side. Amelia and Mark will absolutely be late, so it can only be him. My heart is pounding in my chest knowing my son is about to greet the man I was once head-over-heels in love with. A man who now is sparking feelings in me that I’ve been skirting around in my brain for the past few months.

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