Page 20 of A Little Thankful

Sage was the angel, but I couldn’t tell her that. Way too corny.

“I’m fine, just a little startled. Sorry if I scared you,” she said, wearing a great big grin.

“Autumn has your sense of humor,” I told her, gazing in at Autumn who busied herself with her toes. She looked way too adorable with an orange bow in her hair, and wearing a silly Turkey costume. “She’s ready for the run.”

“We both are,” she said, and I finally noticed she was dressed like some silly orange, brown and tan turkey as well, complete with a brightly colored tail. That was the fun of the Trot, seeing all the different costumes. “I thought we’d spend the day together. I can help out here at the bakery, doing whatever you’d like me to do. My grandparents are willing to take Autumn over to the Turkey Trot. They’ve already saved a spot last night with their chairs right up front so she’ll have a good spot to watch. They’re excited about sharing it with her.”

“My staff can handle the bakery. If it’s all right with you, I’d like to share the Turkey Trot with her and with you, as well. I have a feeling it’s been a while since you last saw one of these orparticipated in one. I already bought a few spots for the event. We could all walk it if you want to. It’s only five miles, and all the donations go into the local fund which gives grants to local entrepreneurs.”

Her grin grew wider on her beautiful face, then she kissed my cheek. “I’d love that, Mace. That’s the best offer I’ve had in years. Let’s do it. I think it starts in about thirty minutes.”

“Great,” I told her, wearing my own wide grin. “Just give me a few minutes to update everybody, and get into my costume.”

“You have a costume?”

“Can’t be in the Trot without a costume,” I told her. “Plus, it’s good PR for my business.”

“So, what are you… a cookie… a cake? What?”

“It’s a surprise. Every year I have a costume custom made.”

“Wow, I can’t wait to see it,” she said, and I knew she meant it.

“Tell you what, you order something special for yourself, and have a seat. I’ll be out in about fifteen minutes.”

“I can’t wait,” she said, then kissed me on the cheek and left.

Ten minutes later we were walking down the crowded sidewalk on Moon Street to meet her grandparents and as I pushed the stroller, most everyone glanced our way. I knew they were anxious to find out all the details about baby Autumn and my connection, but they’d just have to wait a few more days for the real scoop.

Or they were amazed at my amazing costume. I was dressed like a turkey, complete with a yellow beak and big yellow turkey feet, that took a lot of effort not to trip and fall flat on my face.

Whatever the reason, the good citizens of Cricket couldn’t seem to take their eyes off of us.

I nodded to everyone, and said my hellos.

“Everyone’s looking at us,” Sage said, as we walked along. The entire town was decked out for Thanksgiving, with haybales, cute straw scarecrows, and dried corn stalks on every corner. Baskets of purple, cranberry red, orange and yellow mums adorned the flower pots that hung from all the lampposts.

“Kiss me, and we’ll make their day,” I told her.

“Seriously?”

“Oh yeah.”

I slipped my hand around her waist, lifted her off her feet, and laid one on her like I was a sailor going off to war… in a turkey costume, complete with a tale. I even bent her over and we didn’t come up for air until we were good and done. It was one of those magical kisses. One that surged through me, and if we were alone, things would have progressed to a more prone position.

But we were on the crowded sidewalk on Moon Street, so I pulled her back up, and when I gazed into her deep blue eyes, I knew we’d bonded all over again.

“Get a room,” I heard someone say, but I didn’t react. The only person I saw was Sage, and I knew I would do everything in my power to convince her to stay.

After that, the day slipped by in a torrent of laughter, good food, and happy meet-ups.

Sage took Autumn out of her stroller and placed her in a baby sling where her little arms and legs hung out, and she could see everything. All she did was giggle and coo the entire time. She especially liked the marching bands, and I swear her bounces kept time with the music.

Somewhere after the first hour, I offered to carry Autumn, and once she was strapped in and her little back pressed up against my chest, I realized how much I liked being a dad. Liked how I felt carrying her like this. As if I could get used to this, and I wanted to be a part of her life. Of both their lives, if Sage would let me.

It was then that Sage’s grandparents found us, along with her aunt and niece. And at once I felt as though I was part of the family. As if they’d accepted me. And when her mom showed up, and gave me a hug, I got a bit emotional.

“She becomes you,” her mom said. “Plus, look how content she is. Like you two belong together.”

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