Page 160 of Unraveling Rain
“When did you get here? Did you come from Azalea Creek already dressed up?” I ask as Mama pulls me into a hug.
“Oh, dear. You look so beautiful,” she says, cupping my face. “The moment Xander told me what he was planning, I rallied the troops. I talked your brothers’ ears off until they agreed to wear suits. We got in last night and stayed here—Xander arranged everything for us and his family.”
She gestures toward the other side of the room, where Xander stands with his parents and Gramps.
I’m so overwhelmed, I hadn’t even realized he wasn’t next to me anymore.
After giving Granny a quick kiss on the cheek, I hurry over to greet Xander’s family.
“Rain, how are you, darling?” Kristine asks, pulling me into a warm hug.
I let out a deep breath, relief washing over me. There’s no resentment, no awkwardness after the Dennis situation in Boston. Just kindness.
“I’m so glad y’all are here,” I say honestly. “I was hoping to see you, but when you didn’t reply to my texts, I lost hope.”
Sam smiles. “We’re truly sorry about that, Rain. But when our son gets an idea in his head, there’s no stopping him. He asked us to keep quiet so the surprise wouldn’t accidentally slip out.”
I lower my gaze, not wanting to see Sam’s reaction. “I wanted to apologize for what you had to witness back in Boston.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for, Rain. I’m glad I was there to help Xander defend you,” he says.
I look up at him and am met with a warm smile.
“That man needs to pay for what he did. But never, ever let him dim your light. You are a wonderful woman, with your whole life ahead of you.”
He opens his arms, and I immediately step into his embrace. Daddy appears in my mind, and I feel like he’s hugging me through Sam.
I shake my head, smiling. “No need to apologize, Sam. I’m just glad everything worked out. I’m very excited for us to go to the game together tomorrow.”
I hug him, and he hugs me back—solid and comforting. Like father, like son.
“Not to be rude or anything,” Miles pipes up from across the room, “but can we eat now?”
I groan, mortified, as laughter ripples through the room.
“Someone had to say it,” Merlin adds. “We’re really happy we’re all together, obviously. But these suits aren’t the most comfortable thing to wear. And if we don’t eat soon, we might have a full-blown MacAllister catastrophe on our hands.”
Granny and Mama smack him—one on the head, one on the chest.
Xander steps beside me, wrapping my arm through his. “Everything should be set for us. I just wanted Rain to take it all in and greet everyone.”
“Amen, brother. Let’s go,” Miles says, already clapping like we’re starting a race.
More chuckles fill the room as everyone heads toward the banquet hall.
A long table stretches across the space, set for a feast, and along the right wall, a buffet line waits like a Thanksgiving dream.
I practically drool at the sight—three kinds of turkey, mountains of stuffing, greens, gravy… My stomach does a happy flip.
Everyone fills their plates and finds a seat at the table. Xander and I sit across from his parents, while Granny is already deep in conversation with Gramps—I don’teven want to know what those two are talking about so animatedly, but I’m glad they’re having a good time.
“Excuse me, everyone. I’d like to say a few words before we begin,” Gramps says, standing, and the room quiets.
“I simply wanted to give thanks—for everything we have and all the blessings we have received this year.”
He turns his gaze to Xander.
“Xander’s recovery is nothing short of extraordinary, and I’m extremely grateful to break bread today with some of the people who made it possible.”
