THAT RING by Dodd Jillian

Author:Dodd, Jillian
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Swoonworthy Books
Published: 2019-11-25T16:00:00+00:00

November 26th

Jennifer

It’s Sunday night, and I’m cleaning up the kitchen with the kids one last time while thinking about what an amazing holiday weekend it’s been.

It started on Friday morning with the French toast casserole with Danny’s family. After that, we all headed over to the Mackenzies’ to share a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with them. While Danny was at his game, his mother and I cooked. We made the French toast as well as three vegetable casseroles, a cranberry Jell-O salad, five pies, and three kinds of brownies. We ate to our hearts’ content and happily celebrated family.

Danny’s parents left, and then Saturday was all about friends. They have a tradition of bringing all the leftovers to the Mackenzie house for a free-for-all while watching more football and letting the kids play together. It was fun to see Marcus and Madison again as well as everyone who was at the Halloween party.

But today was the most fun in many ways. Because, today, I think we maybe started a tradition of our own.

Danny, the kids, and I got bundled up and drove out to a tree farm in the country. We drank hot chocolate, strolled through rows, chose the perfect tree, and then all took turns with the ax to chop it down—Danny doing so unsuccessfully with his left arm.

After getting it in the house and set up, we got ready for the ornament-making party for Damon, Devaney, and their friends. There were about thirty kids here, who made and took home ornaments for their own trees.

“Dad, I’m pooped. How about we order in dinner, eat it in front of the fire, and decorate the tree?” Damon asks.

“That’s a great idea!” Devaney agrees. “I vote for Mexican.”

“Sounds good to me,” Danny says as he empties the trash.

“I’ll get that,” I say to him. “You’re not supposed to be lifting anything.”

“Damon, why don’t you take this out to the garage?” he says.

“Sure thing, Dad. I vote for Mexican, too.” He turns to me. “And, Jennifer, if you like Mexican, you are in for a treat. Their sour cream sauce is to die for. Seriously, send me a vat, and I’d bathe in it.”

Danny laughs.

Devaney says, “He probably would. And it is really good.”

“I think it sounds like a wonderful evening,” I say, tears threatening. “Are you sure you don’t want to decorate the tree, just the three of you? Really, I don’t want to, I don’t know, make it awkward. It’s your first Christmas without your mom living here and maybe …”

“Don’t be silly,” Devaney says, coming over and giving me a hug. “Of course we want you to be a part of it. You’re practically part of the family now.”

I look over at Danny, who looks equally touched and scared. Our eyes meet, his gaze conveying both how much it means that his children approve at the same time he fears the attachment.

“Why don’t you team up with Damon and order the food while your dad and I chat for a moment?” I suggest since he has neither confirmed nor denied his feelings on the subject.

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