Page 38 of Tizzy's Little Thanksgiving

“Thanks,” Eddie grunted, taking a swig as his eyes danced around the hallway that was lined with beautifully framed photos that appeared to be very old.

“Those are historical Ranch pictures,” Lucas offered when Eddie paused before one depicting two men who were obvious twins wearing clothes from a bygone era. “Derek’s ancestors started the Ranch in the 1800s. It’s grown a lot since then, but the purpose has always been to provide a safe haven for women.”

“That’s impressive,” Eddie said, looking at each photo until they reached the end of the hall and entered a massive room that was already filled with people. From what he’d heard of the guest list, it looked like they were the last to arrive.

He’d barely made it two steps in before Master Derek himself appeared in front of him, flanked by his lawyer, Jared Stark and another man Eddie had not yet met. “Eddie,” Master Derek boomed, shaking his hand and clapping him on the shoulder at the same time, “so glad you could make it. Welcome to my home.”

Before Eddie could say what a lovely home it was, or respond in any way, Derek continued, “You remember Jared, and this is Colt Reed, a master craftsman. You ever need a custom-piece of furniture, this is your man.”

“Or an implement,” Jared added with a grin.

“Pleased to meet you. I believe I’ve already used a paddle you crafted. It was most effective.” Eddie shook the other man’s hand.

Colt grinned. “I’m glad you found it to your liking. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“I’d offer you a drink,” Derek said, “but it looks like you already got one.”

“I hooked him up,” Lucas offered.

“And thank god he did.” Eddie grinned as he took a swig. “The girls started going crazy before we even made it in the door.”

Derek nodded wearily. “I’m pretty sure they have a secret sugar stash somewhere,” he grumbled. “I should probably try to find it, but”—he gestured around the full room—“I’m busy entertaining. I’ll figure it out after dinner, and make the culprits pay the piper, and by culprits, I mean Sadie, because I have no doubt she’s the one behind this.”

The two men beside him agreed with wry smiles, and he nodded at Eddie, welcoming him once more before being called from somewhere across the room, Jared and Colt moseying off as well.

Then it was just he and Lucas as the girls were off in the corner, giggling and no doubt conspiring with a bunch of Littles, some he recognized, and several he did not. He finally understood the moniker “Big House” used for the Ranch owner’s residence. Massive would have described it even better. Wooden beams ran across the ceiling. Large, leather furniture was scattered about the room, several chairs situated around a coffee table made from the slab of a tree, its multitude of rings and huge size easily marking it as being at least a hundred years old.

“Dinner’s on!” Chef Connor called from a doorway across the room.

Quickly, Teresa appeared at Eddie’s side, and Georgie at Lucas’, when the band of Littles scattered, each of them joining their own Daddies as the guests moved into the next room. Eddie had never seen a dining table as large as the one that stretched almost the entire distance of the large room. Autumn flowers filled several vases and gave off a subtle fragrance to the space while leaves in all shades provided even more colors down the center of the table.

Before anyone could sit, Georgie cleared her throat, and stepped in front of the crowd. “There’s place cards so you know where to sit,” she announced, “and before we eat we’re gonna go around the table and everyone’s gonna say what they are thankful for. There’s a lot of people here, so start thinking about what you’re gonna say now, else we’ll never get to eat, and if we never eat dinner, we don’t get no dessert.”

Eddie’s heart swelled with pride as he realized she was acting in her official capacity as the Ranch event organizer. However, her proclamation was met with a chorus of groans.

“Sorry,” Georgie called out, wrinkling her nose. “My Daddy and Master Derek and Chef Connor says ‘dems da rules!”

“You don’t want to miss dinner anyway,” a curvy brunette Eddie recognized as Hayleigh chimed out as she moved to stand by Georgie. “My Daddy cooks the bestest Thanksgiving feast ever in the whole history of Thanksgivingses!”

“Even if I have to do it with frozen turkeys,” Chef Connor agreed, coming out of what Eddie believed to be the kitchen to take his seat at the table. Hayleigh sat next to him, and Derek sat at the head of the table with Sadie beside him. Once Derek was seated, everyone started scrambling to find their seats.

“Daddy, we’re over here!” Tizzy called from a spot in the center of the massive table. Tizzy gasped. “We’re right by Georgie and Lucas!”

As if his baby sister hadn’t orchestrated the whole seating chart. He just smiled indulgently and joined her where she stood. Her seat was next to Georgie, with he and Lucas on either side. As they sat, Eddie looked around the table at the faces, some he recognized some he didn’t, all seated around the massive table. He figured there were about fifty people in attendance for something that had been described to him as a “small family dinner”. If this was a small family dinner, what did a big one look like?

Chapter 16

Eddie

As soon aseveryone was seated, two young women, dressed in the Ranch’s service sub attire began to bring out the food. Eddie clamped his mouth shut to keep from drooling as the table was filled with delicious dishes. Both mashed and sweet potatoes, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, glazed Brussels sprouts, a large garden salad with red onions and mandarin oranges, green bean casserole, cornbread, fresh rolls, and of course the turkeys.

“Let’s give thanks,” Derek said when all the food was laid out in front of them. Eddie bowed his head and squeezed Tizzy’s hand beside him, urging her to do the same as their host gave a short prayer.

“Let’s eat!” Sadie exclaimed right after they all chorused “amen.”

“Wait”—Derek gave her with a stern look—“while we pass the food and everyone dishes up, we’ll go around the table and everyone can take turns saying what they are thankful for.”

“Oh, that’s right, Daddy,” Sadie acknowledged with a sage nod. “I almost forgot, but it’s tradition.”

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