Page 16 of Unexpected Gifts

Thankfully, Rufus obeyed despite seeing Lily. He always knew a fan when he met one.

Lily knelt beside Rufus, hugging him. In turn, the dog licked her cheek. Jack dropped to his knees next to Lily. “This is my dog now,” Jack said to Lily.

“Lucky,” Lily said. “You can bring him to play any time you want to.”

Jack Ellison was hardly lucky, but Abby was beyond thankful. He felt so happy to have Rufus in his life.

Grace appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on an apron dusted with flour. Her eyes lit up as she took in the sight of them. “Well, hello. Welcome and happy Thanksgiving.”

“Happy Thanksgiving,” Abby said. “Is it okay that I brought Rufus?”

“You can’t very well leave him at home, can you?” Grace said. “He’s part of the family.”

“I brought a towel to wipe his feet,” Abby said.

“Is that Jell-O salad?” Grace asked.

“The kids said that’s what they always bring.”

“And so it is,” Grace said, a tinge of sadness in her voice.

“We helped Abby make it,” Jack said. “She doesn’t know how to make anything.”

Abby and Grace exchanged an amused glance. What could Abby say? It was true.

“I can’t wait to eat some.” Grace smiled warmly, stepping forward to take the bowl from Abby’s hands. "Come on in. My whole crew is here and excited to see you.” She opened the door wider and ushered them into the foyer.

Abby’s nerves settled the moment she entered to the scents of roasting turkey, sage stuffing, and baked apples. She shrugged off her jacket, glad they’d come. This was a home with a happy, generous family. It would be good for the children to be here in a familiar setting with people who loved them. Grace took their jackets and hung them in the closet as Abby knelt to wipe Rufus’s paws with the towel she’d brought. “Be good,” she whispered in his ear. “I mean it.”

Rufus nuzzled her hand before trotting off to follow the children into the front room.

Grace led Abby down the hallway and into the kitchen. “Oh, you’ve remodeled since I’ve been here.”

“Yes, Walter and Luke spent all last summer putting in my new kitchen. I’m in love with every inch of it.”

“They did a remarkable job.” Abby thought about the kitchen at Ramona’s old house. It could use an update like this one.

“What can I get you to drink?” Grace asked, stopping to stir a pot on the stove. “Wine? Beer? Soda?”

“Wine, please. White if you have it.”

“You’ve got it.”

While Grace opened a bottle, Abby had a look at all of the side dishes displayed on the island. There was enough food to feed an orphanage.

“I know. It seems like too much food.” Grace handed her a glass of wine. “But my boys can eat.” She gestured outside to the patio. “They’re all out there having a drink around the firepit. You might like to join them? They’re all looking forward to seeing you.”

“But don’t you need help in here?” The children’s laughter could be heard from the living room, as well as an occasional bark from Rufus. Abby really hoped he wasn’t causing any trouble.

“Not yet. I will right before it’s time to dish everything up, but for now, have a drink and rest. I’m sure the children have been keeping you busy.”

Grace’s kindness made Abby want to cry, but she simply thanked Grace instead.

The patio door flew open, and Walter Hayes appeared, wearing a thick black-and-red-plaid coat and carrying a pair of binoculars. “Babe, you won’t believe what I just saw. A snowy owl. At least, I think so. These blasted binoculars are worthless.” He stopped abruptly at the sight of Abby standing there. “Well, look at you, Abby Parker. All grown up and looking like a supermodel.”

“Hardly,” Abby said, giggling. She’d forgotten what a charmer the Hayes patriarch was.

Walter grabbed her into a bear hug. “We’re all so glad you’re here. Anything at all you need, and we’ll do it.”

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