Page 11 of Riding Home

“I know you want what’s best for me.Right now, that’s Clark.”

The doorbell rang.“That must be Mark,” she said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Mark entered, carrying flowers and wine.“Happy Thanksgiving!”he announced, handing a bouquet to Mom.“These are for you, Mrs.Jenkins.”

“Thank you, Mark!They’re lovely,” Mom gushed.

He offered me a bouquet.“And for you, Aurora.”

“Thanks,” I replied.As he leaned in to kiss my cheek, I subtly stepped back, and his lips brushed the air awkwardly.

A flicker of confusion crossed his face, but he quickly recovered.“I brought your favorite wine.”

“Thoughtful,” I said politely.

As the family gathered, the doorbell rang again.“I’ll get it,” Mom said mysteriously.

Mark noticed the extra place settings.“Expecting more guests?”

“Just some neighbors,” I replied nervously.

Mom returned with Clark’s mom leading the way, followed by Clark and his family, each carrying dishes.“Everyone, I’d like you to meet Mary and her family,” Mom announced cheerfully.“They’ll be joining us for dinner.”

Clark, in his biker gear, handed Mom the ham his mom cooked.Despite their casual attire, Mom welcomed them warmly, helping arrange their dishes alongside ours.

As Clark approached me, he gave a light peck on my cheek.“Good to see you,” he said softly.

“You too,” I managed, acutely aware of Mark’s eyes on us.

Introductions followed.Clark’s grandad grumbled, “But we call him Frog.”

Kathy added, “Grandad, Aurora calls him by his given name.”

Ignoring their whispers, I introduced Clark to my family, including Mark—careful not to mention he was my ex.

“Come on, everyone!I’ll be your hostess,” Holly, my niece, declared, leading the kids to the kitchen table.

At dinner, Uncle Bruce leaned forward.“So, Clark, how did you and Aurora meet?”

I felt my face heat up.

Clark grinned.“Funny story.I was riding through Nashville when I saw this beautiful lady with a flat tire in the rain.I stopped to help.She looked up at me and said, ‘Thank goodness!I thought I’d be stranded all night.’After I got her back on the road, we grabbed coffee to warm up.One thing led to another.”

“Aww, that’s so romantic!”Cousin Grace sighed.

“Isn’t he just my knight in shining armor?”I said, forcing a smile while nudging him under the table.

“And ever since then, I’ve called her my Little Honey Bun,” Clark added with a playful smirk.

Laughter erupted.

“Honey Bun?”Aunt Lydia echoed, amused.

“Because we had a couple of honey buns with that coffee, and Aurora’s so sweet.”

My cheeks burn hotter.Mark’s expression hardened as he sipped his wine.

“Well, that’s quite the story,” Mom said, her eyes flickering between us.

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