Page 95 of Back in the Saddle

‘What? Of course I’m not!’ Caroline jabbed the last olive from the starter sharing dish with a wooden stick and looked at it for a moment before eating it. ‘I was just thinking about the last time we spent real quality time together.’

‘Croatia.’ Clara nodded, corners of her mouth raising in a content smile.

‘Ah, that was the holiday … Though I’m still not over the fact you were so strict with my drinking,’ Caitlin cut in, having ordered another glass of merlot.

Clara stared at her. ‘You were way too young. Plus, it seems like you’re making up for lost time.’

Caroline snorted as she saw Caitlin go wide-eyed at Clara.

‘I knew I should’ve never told you I was planning to come. Could’ve had a lovely Thanksgiving without you.’

‘Really? You had no idea how to book the flights. And who paid for them? Who’s going to pay for your meals and drinks out? Either me or Caroline, because we’re the ones with real jobs. We’ve grown up, which you don’t seem to know how to do,’ Clara uttered.

Caitlin’s face went red and she dropped her eyes onto the white cotton table runner.

Caroline took a deep breath and put a hand on Clara’s wrist. She leaned over to her and said in a low voice, ‘can you give her a break, please? I’m grateful you’re both here, but don’t fight. You can do it on the way back. Or whenever. You see each other often enough. I don’t get to see either of you nearly as much as I’d like. Let’s just have great, sisterly bonding time this week.’

Clara licked her bottom lip and sighed. She turned to Caitlin. ‘I’m sorry, Caitlin. That was mean.’

‘It was. But apology accepted,’ Caitlin responded, tension draining from her face.

Their main courses arrived, and Caroline felt instant relief. Not only because the food smelled amazing, but also because the timing was just right to naturally bring in a change of topic.

They spoke about Victoria, and their father and Nora. Then they discussed Thanksgiving and made some plans for the coming days. The atmosphere almost got back to what it felt like when they’d entered the restaurant. Almost.

As Caroline chewed her chicken, she had a feeling that this week was going to be a long one.

HUNTER:Do you want to come over later tonight? I know you have this big party, but after everyone’s gone. We could have our own Thanksgiving, with less food and more things to be thankful for …

CAROLINE:I’d love to, but I can’t.My sisters are here. They’ve come for a week as a surprise, to spend Thanksgiving with me, Anna and Gian.

HUNTER:That’s great! I know how much you’ve missed them. Sounds like you’re going to have amazing time together. I won’t bother you then while they’re here.

CAROLINE:You aren’t bothering me. But I also thought it might be better. I wouldn’t want to distract you from the holidays with your family.

HUNTER:You’re right. After all, it’s my Dad’s last one.

CAROLINE:That’s not why I said it.

HUNTER:I know. But the realization just hit me.

Caroline continued looking at her phone, but no further message arrived.

It was Thanksgiving morning, and she was still in bed. Hearing the faint sound of chatter from the kitchen, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and put her slippers on. She pulled on her dressing gown and brushed her hair, pulling it into a messy ponytail. There’d be time to properly get ready later. The guests wouldn’t arrive until 4 p.m. Her reflection smiled at her widely from the square mirror.

Just as she was about to leave her room, her phone buzzed with an incoming message. She unlocked it and felt an ache in the middle of her chest.

HUNTER:Buck, Lorna and the kids are coming over so it’s going to be a good one, too. We’re going to make memories to fill us with joy for the time when he’s gone. It’s weird, thinking about it like that … But I guess, in a way, it’s a bit poetic, isn’t it? Anyway. Have a wonderful day. Enjoy your first Thanksgiving! Hope it’s as grand as you imagined.

CAROLINE:You too, Hunter. Make those memories.

The party was a roaring success.

Caroline felt like a character in one of the special holiday episodes of an American TV series. She knew this was goingto be the best turkey she had ever had, and it was outstanding. It wasn’t just the way it tasted, but the whole ritual of watching Anna, already tipsy on some cocktail concoction courtesy of Clara, carve it at the head of the table. And listening to all the guests gush over Gian’s desserts, then seeing her blushed but proud face. Caitlin sampling pumpkin pie for the first time and trying to hide that she hated it. Caroline had to stop herself from laughing out loud when she ran into the kitchen and, after checking no one had followed her, spat it into a napkin and quickly dumped it in the bin.

‘You don’t fancy the pie?’ Caroline mocked, taking out another bottle of Riesling from the wine cooler.

Caitlin didn’t answer, reaching across for her sister’s glass instead and downing the half that was left in it.

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