"Well, tickle me pink!" Naomi exclaimed happily when Sam and Stone walked hand in hand into the large dining hall the next afternoon.

"Hi, Mrs. Montgomery."

Sam greeted Stone's mom, feeling uncharacteristically shy.

"Honey, we're so happy you're here. Carla and her family too. Come on and sit. We're just waiting on a couple more, but if y'all are hungry..."

Naomi winked at Stone who groaned “MA!”

"Oh come now son, everyone knows what you two have been up to. Well there's plenty to nibble on, anyway, if you've worked up an appetite."

Sam nearly died with mortification when the little woman winked at her, then turned on her heel and strode away.

"Your mother is talking about our sex life!” She hissed at Stone.

"And that's Ma for you. Best get used to it, Sweetness. She'll be ‘round for a while."

He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.

"And so will you, if I have my way."

Sam smirked.

"You've already had your way a few times."

"And you loved every one of them."

"Yes.” She admitted shyly. “I did."

"Better stop looking at me like you are, else you might find me having my way with you in the pantry."

Fortunately for Sam, Carla chose that moment to say hello.

"Hey beautiful lady." Carla greeted her with a big hug that Sam returned in earnest. "You're positively glowing."

Sam blushed at the remark, wondering why people suddenly felt so free to comment on the state of her and Stone's relationship.

"I'm guessing you had quite the evening." Carla commented to Stone, who smiled back at her.

"And I’m guessing you already know the answer to that one."

"True." Carla grinned.

"Come sit with us.” Carla said, taking Sam’s arm. “Or Stone, would you rather sit with your brothers?"

“I go where she goes." Stone remarked, twining his fingers through hers, smiling down at her.

Sam reveled in the warmth that seeped through her bones every time he did that. She felt like her hand was made for his. It was a feeling she never wanted to let go of, now that she'd found it.

* * *

Sam soon learned that Thanksgiving dinner with the Montgomery family was an affair of monumental proportions. She’d never seen so much food in her life, had never eaten so much food. When everyone's belly had been filled and conversation was at a lull, Greg stood, announcing the time for their traditional giving of thanks. Each person was, in turn, meant to express something they were thankful for.

Sam had plenty to be thankful for sitting on either side of her. Carla and her family to her left, Stone to her right, his hand warm on her thigh as they listened to friends and family members give their thanks for various people or things that had happened over the year.

All too soon, Carla was standing, saying how thankful she was for her family and the fact that her boss and friend was here with them today. Sam didn't hear most of what Carla said, because her heart was pounding in her chest. She was nervous to stand in front of all these people who were so open, so genuine. All of the tools she would normally call on to calm herself were designed to shut her down. She didn't want that now, so she felt lost.

When she realized Carla had finished talking, was seated again, and everyone was looking at her, she took a deep, calming breath. As if sensing her discomfort, Stone leaned in and spoke softly to her. “You can pass if you need to. It's ok."

"No.” She shook her head. “I want to."

Sam stood slowly, gathering all the courage she could find. She looked around the massive table, met the expectant gazes of the other guests, and cleared her throat.

“I came to this ranch just about two months ago. I came because I was forced to.” She gave Carla with a wink as people chuckled.

“I never expected to find a group of people so generous and caring. I didn't expect to find so many open arms and open hearts. I didn't expect to find so much acceptance, so much peace, and so much love.” She gazed at Stone, swallowing back the lump rising in her throat. “I never, in my wildest dreams, expected you."

Stone gave her hand a squeeze.

Sam looked to Carla and reached for her friend's hand, this time, not fighting the tears escaping down her cheeks.

"Carla, with everything we've been through, the word friend seems far too insignificant when describing you. You're so much more than that. You truly are my heart. Today and every day of my life, I am so thankful. Even that sounds paltry compared to the depth of my feelings. I’m so thankful though, that you and I met all those years ago, that you are so tenacious. I’m so grateful that you never let me go and that we're here today. I love you, my dear friend."

Sam had to pause to compose herself before continuing. “I love you more than words can ever express, and I’m sorry that this is only the second time I’m saying it to you, because I should say it to you every day."

Carla stood from her chair and wrapped her arms around Sam. “I love you too, friend. Remember that I always love you and I’m so thankful for you."

The two disentangled themselves and Sam sank into her chair. She looked at Stone who regarded her with a happy smile. He stood next, proclaiming it his turn, but admitting that Sam was going to be a hard act to follow.

"This year," he began. "I'm thankful for new beginnings. New relationships that I hope will become seasoned relationships,” He gazed at Sam meaningfully, she smiled back at him. "New business ventures that will bring all parties involved to greater heights. And new ways of thinking about a world I thought I already knew."

He sat back down and leaned over for a kiss that had the table "awing" all around them.

As the rest of the family and guests said their thanks, Sam sat back and absorbed as much as she could. These were the moments she would hold onto in the days and weeks ahead. She didn't know what kind of storm was coming, but she knew it was. She felt it in her bones. Nothing this good ever happened without the backlash being close behind. For now, she determined, she would simply enjoy the moment.

But if Sam had known what was coming, she never would have poured herself out the way she had these last few days.