Page 87 of Wilder

Soon, his plate was filled with all the food that was common for their family Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey. Mashed potatoes. Sweet potato casserole. Fresh buns. Green bean casserole. Cranberry sauce. Two different types of salad. Corn bread stuffing.

Their Thanksgiving dinners had always been good, but since Misha’s mom, Denise, had joined them, they were even better. There was never a shortage of food.

“I didn’t eat breakfast or lunch because I wanted to eat lots for dinner, but I’m already full,” his dad said after they’d been eating for a while. “It is all so good.”

There were murmurs of agreement as people around the table cleaned off their plates. Wilder had managed to put away a plateful and then some. He had also skipped lunch, but since he was physically active, he didn’t feel too guilty about taking seconds of several of the dishes.

They didn’t eat dessert right away because everyone was full. Instead, they all helped to clean off the table and put away the food, then they went into the living room for their thankfulness time.

Wilder loved that part of the evening, and he wished that Lexi could be there so he could hear her share what she was thankful for.

“I’m thankful this year for how God brought our family together and helped us grow,” Charli said as she smiled at Blake. “I’m thankful that He brought forgiveness and grace into my life so that Blake and I could be together. I’m so grateful for our love and for the three precious girls we get to call our daughters.”

Wilder appreciated being able to hear from his siblings because it gave him a glimpse into their hearts.

When it was his turn, he said, “I’m grateful that God led me to the orphanage ministries, and I’m thankful for how people are joining me in supporting those organizations. Seeing the joy of the kids at those orphanages, when you know what the alternative would be for them without it, is so great. It’s a real blessing.”

His parents added their thankfulness for having been to the orphanages as well. Lee shared that he was thankful for his job, being back in Serenity, and Rori’s love. Her response was similar. Their love for each other was clear, and Wilder was happy for his brother.

“I’m thankful for a lot of stuff,” Janessa said. “It’s been great having my two brothers living here and being part of my nieces’ and nephews’ lives. And in a few months, we’ll be adding to the group, and we’re very thankful for that.”

For a moment, there was just stunned silence, then his mom said, “Are you… pregnant?”

Janessa and Will both beamed as they nodded. “I’m just two months along, but I couldn’t keep it a secret any longer since every day I’m having worse and worse morning sickness.”

His mom and dad got up to hug them, and everyone else joined in on the congratulations. The next generation was well underway, and Wilder couldn’t have been happier about it.

Once they were done sharing, they had a time of prayer, then dessert appeared with coffee and tea.

The older kids took their dessert downstairs to watch a movie and play some video games. Ciara and Timmy had to stay upstairs with the adults, and they weren’t overly impressed, but cookies ended up being the distraction that they needed.

When he’d finished his coffee and dessert, Wilder went into the kitchen to find Charli.

“Would it be okay if I took a plate of food to Lexi?” he asked her. “I’m pretty sure she’s not going to have a Thanksgiving dinner since she’s working late.”

“Sure. We’ve got so much food, you could take her a couple of plates, and we’d still have lots left.”

Over the next few minutes, Charli pulled out containers of food, and Wilder put some of each of the dishes onto two large paper plates. One held stuff that needed to be heated up, and the other held the salads. He doubted she’d eat everything that he was putting on the plates, but maybe she could divide it into two meals.

They covered the plates, then carefully packed it all into a bag, along with some dessert. Once it was all ready, Wilder said goodbye to the family members who didn’t live at the house in case they left before he got back, then he carried the bag out to his car.

It was nearly seven by the time he pulled into the parking lot of the rink. There were a few cars there, but that might not accurately reflect the number of people inside. He knew that people often used the golf carts with drivers offered by the resort to get from the hotel to other places at the resort.

He got out, then picked up the bag from the back seat. It had started snowing earlier, and the flakes drifted down lazily, glinting in the lampposts that were situated around the parking lot.

Music, murmurs of conversation, and the scent of coffee greeted Wilder as he stepped into the building. He stamped his feet to get rid of the snow, glancing around to see how many people were there.

He saw that several tables were full, and there were quite a few people on the ice, including Lexi. Keeping an eye on her, Wilder made his way to her office. He set the bag with food in it on her desk, then took off his jacket.

Deciding he could do with another coffee, he went to the counter at the café, where he recognized the guy working there.

“Hi, Luke. How’s it going?”

“Busy today.”

“Did you miss out on Thanksgiving dinner?” Wilder asked after he gave him his order.

“Nope. My brother had to work today too, so my mom said we’ll have it on Saturday.”

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