Page 83 of A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy

Jude was home on break from his pilot studies in Chicago, laughing easily and looking far more self-assured than he ever had before. Being away had been good for him.

And it wasn’t likely Maxwell’s imagination that Jude’s gaze kept straying to Kaci’s. It seemed some kind of magic that she could stare at him for half the time while he stared at her the other half, and they rarely caught each other in the act. When were they going to admit their attraction? There had to be something going on. Maxwell wasn’t wet behind the ears or oblivious. Not anymore.

Grandfather cleared his throat. “As is our custom, I’d like us to go around the table and tell everyone what we are most thankful for.” He looked at each of them, the pause lengthy for the number of people. “Let’s keep it to things not romance.”

Groans and laughter surrounded the table.

Maxwell’s family. Three years ago, it had all been about business, but now they were friends, too.

“I’ll start,” Grandfather went on. “I’m thankful to have found my daughter and her mother.”

“No romance, you said!” Tate called out.

Everyone laughed.

Grandfather smiled at Eleanor, who looked down. Was that a flush on her cheeks?

“Not talking about romance, boy,” the old man said. “Reconnecting with the past, that’s all.”

Eleanor looked around the table. “I’m thankful my daughter is happy and at peace.”

More chuckles.

“I’m thankful for my newest kitchen helper,” Nadine said.

“You mean Eryn… or her father?” Weston drawled.

His mother’s eyes twinkled. “You may take that however you like, but rules are rules.”

Keith’s gaze met Maxwell’s across the table. “I’m thankful Maxwell offered me a job here at Sweet River. That relocation changed my life and my daughter’s life in the best of possible ways.”

Everyone was hedging around the romance angle, causing laughter.

“I feel like I’ve missed a lot around here.” Jude glanced around. “While I’m thankful to be fulfilling my dream of getting my pilot’s license, I’ll be glad to move back to the ranch come springtime.”

The circuit continued until it was Eryn’s turn. Maxwell squeezed her hand.

“I’m thankful that God always keeps His promises,” she said quietly. “Even when we aren’t worthy of that, He is always faithful.”

Maxwell’s heart nearly burst with pride. “I’m thankful for the same thing, but also for the power of prayer. I’ve been learning to turn things over to God, and it’s rewarding.”

Bryce huffed under his breath, and Maxwell turned to him. “Your turn, bro.”

“What’s there to be thankful for?” Bryce muttered.

Silence.

“Okay, fine. I’m thankful for a good life in the Sullivan family.” He motioned to Mom on his other side.

Not exactly what Grandfather had been going for. Had Maxwell come across as too pious? But if he couldn’t place thankfulness for Eryn at the top of his verbal list, his deeper walk with God was truly the best thing. It took supremacy, either way.

If only Bryce would get over whatever his hang-up was. He’d never taken life seriously, but his moods had grown darker in the past couple of years. Maxwell purposed to pray for his brother even more… and to watch for any opportunities to listen.

When the circuit was complete, Keith cleared his throat and rose to his feet. “I’ve got an announcement.”

Eryn’s fingers tightened around Maxwell’s, and a quick glance showed her smiling at her father.

Keith nodded at Grandfather at the head of the table. “I wasn’t allowed to be thankful for romance a few minutes ago, but everyone has had their say, right? Now, I’d like you all to know that I asked Nadine to marry me, and she said yes!”

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