Page 131 of The Wrong Proposal

“This is…” Mom looks around, eyes round and mouth open. She has met Franklin’s parents before, but it’s their first time in their home.

“I know,” I whisper.

We pass some framed pictures hanging on the wall, and Mom stops to peruse each one. She points to one of Franklin as a teenager, his siblings much younger. “Even then, he was a handsome young man.”

I giggle. “He probably knew it,” I say so only Mom can hear.

Sophia greets us and hugs Franklin and me, then Mom and Dad.

“Happy Thanksgiving. I’m so happy you could join us.” Sophia is wearing a white chiffon blouse and a flared skirt to her ankles. She is not overdressed, and my heart swells knowing she didn’t wear all her jewels in front of Mom.

Carson is right behind her, wearing a white shirt and black trousers. No tie. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Sophia chats to Mom as we move into the dining room. “I love your pearls, Lacey.”

“Thank you. They were my mother’s.”

Sophia touches the nape of her neck and lifts a fine gold chain with a single pearl. “This was my grandmother’s. We have kept it in the family.”

Mom’s smile widens. She reaches for Sophia’s arm in appreciation. “It’s gorgeous.”

We are seated at the dining table like one large family. Minutes later, Jobe, Byron, and Charlotte stroll into the room. So does Brandon.

Once everyone is seated, the conversation shifts to basketball.

“How long do you intend to stay in the US?” Mom asks Brandon.

“As long as the mother country will have me.” He gets a few chuckles. “Nah, as long as I’m playing basketball, I’ll stay.”

“You’ll return to Australia?” Mom asks innocently.

Charlotte stiffens beside him.

Am I the only one who notices?

“My family is in Adelaide, ma’am. I think my mum is hoping I’ll come home soon.”

My mom is staring at Brandon, and I sense her empathy. “I bet she does. It must be hard.”

“It is. Some days are harder than others. Technology today is great, and we FaceTime a few times a week.”

“He’s a mommy’s boy,” Byron jokes.

“And there’s nothing wrong with that,” Sophia adds.

The turkey is set on the table, and everyone is silenced by the amount of food presented.

Sophia asks us to join hands. “God, thank you for bringing us together today. Thanksgiving is a special time to share with family and friends, and we are blessed to have this time together. Today is about relationships, not just a meal, as our family appreciates the beautiful people who are joining us today. We are grateful every day for what we have and blessed with our health.”

“Amen.”

Franklin slides onto his knee beside me, pulls out a folded piece of paper, and hands it to me.

“What are you doing?” I whisper. I’m shaking my head because his family is staring at me.My motheris watching me, and all of them are smiling and not at all surprised.

“I have surprised you with a trip to Australia. We leave this weekend.”

What?

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