Page 22 of Single Daddy Doctor Dreamy

"Of course. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen my two favorite children."

"Your only children," I point out dryly.

"Exactly," she says, chuckling. "I’ll book a flight today."

We spend a few more minutes finalizing her arrival details before hanging up. When I turn back to the porch, Joel’s watching me with curiosity.

"Good news?" he asks.

"Great news," I say, grinning. "My mom’s coming for Thanksgiving. She’s flying in on Tuesday morning. She will flying out of Houston on Monday with a layover in San Francisco, so I’ll pick her up from the Arcata airport on Tuesday. She wants to stay at an air B&B in Eureka for a couple nights so she can catch up with an old friend. She’s going to arrange forAiden to pick her up on Thanksgiving morning then I told her she could stay here the rest of her trip. I hope that’s OK."

"Another Harper in town? I’ll brace myself," Joel teases, but there’s warmth in his tone. "The boys will love having her here. They’ve been asking if your family’s coming."

I feel a flicker of something unnameable. Something that feels suspiciously like contentment as I imagine all of us crowded around the table, sharing stories and food. This, I think, is what holidays are meant to feel like.

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving dawns gray and chilly, the kind of morning where even my best cup of coffee feels like it needs one of those fancy cup warmers. I throw on a sweater and jeans, grab my coat, and head out the door with enough time to make the drive to Arcata without rushing.

When I finally spot my mom weaving through the small crowd at baggage claim, I wave enthusiastically. She looks the same as always: put together and effortlessly stylish, her scarf tied in a way that looks casual but probably took her five tries to perfect.

"Lucy!" she exclaims, pulling me into a tight hug. "You look wonderful, sweetheart. Everwood must be treating you well."

"It is," I say as we pull apart. "And you look fantastic, as usual. Being a Realtor really agrees with you."

"Well, what can I say? The freedom it offers suits me," she replies with a wink.

I grab her suitcase and we head toward the car. As we drive back toward Everwood, the conversation flows easily, a mix of updates and inside jokes that make the miles melt away. By thetime we reach Old Town Eureka, we’re both ready to stretch our legs and indulge in some window shopping.

The cobblestone streets are lined with charming shops and boutiques, each one a kaleidoscope of holiday decorations. Strings of white lights twinkle overhead, and the air smells faintly of cinnamon and cloves. My mom and I meander through the stores, pausing to admire handmade jewelry, quirky home goods, and one-of-a-kind art pieces.

"This place is adorable," she says as we step into a cozy bookstore. "You must bring Joel and the boys here. They’d love it."

"I already have," I admit. "Miles picked out a book on astronomy, and Finn found one about dinosaurs. Joel…well, he’s a little harder to shop for, but I think he secretly liked it too."

She smiles knowingly. "Speaking of Joel, are we going to pretend there’s nothing going on between you two?"

I nearly drop the book I’m holding. "What? There’s nothing going on. We’re just…friends."

"Lucy," she says, giving me a pointed look. "I’ve known you your whole life. You can’t fool me."

I open my mouth to argue, but the words catch in my throat. The truth is, I’m not sure what’s happening between Joel and me. There’s something there, undeniably, but it’s tangled up in complications I’m not ready to untangle yet.

"We’re figuring things out," I admit finally. "It’s complicated."

"Love usually is," she says simply, and the wisdom in her voice makes my chest ache.

We spend the rest of the afternoon browsing and chatting, our conversation shifting to lighter topics. My mom tells me about the new man she’s dating, a retired architect named Dennis who’s apparently a fantastic cook. I’m happy for her—she deserves someone who makes her smile the way she does when she talks about him.

As the sun begins to set, casting a warm orange glow over the town, I drive her to the bed and breakfast where she’ll be staying. It’s a charming place with a white picket fence and a front porch that looks like it belongs in a Hallmark movie.

"Thank you for today, sweetheart," she says as we hug goodbye. "I can’t wait to see everyone on Thursday, especially Joel. I’ll have to remind him how much trouble Aiden used to get into when he way around."

I laugh. "I’m sure he’ll love that. Sleep well, Mom."

As I watch her walk inside, I feel a strange mix of emotions: joy, nostalgia, and something like hope. Thanksgiving hasn’t even started yet, but already, it feels good.

Thanksgiving morning arrives with the smell of coffee brewing and the sound of laughter filtering through the house. Aiden is leaving around noon to pick Mom up from the bed and breakfast, giving me time to wrangle the boys and help Joel with last-minute preparations.

As they drive back to the house, Mom’s voice fills the car. "So, Aiden, how’s work treating you these days? You still running circles around those poor assistant district attorneys?"

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