Chapter Thirty-Six

Eli

"Happy Thanksgiving!"

Cheers erupt around the dining table brimming with food, followed by the clink of glasses of wine, champagne and smoothie.

I bring my glass of wine to my lips. Beside me, Quinn does the same.

She looks radiant in a blouse that's studded with golden sequins which glitter each time they catch the light. White pearls stud her ears and peek through the strands of her copper hair.

I can't wait to tell her what I've been meaning to all day.

"What's wrong?" she asks as she puts some turkey on my plate.

"Nothing." I set down my glass. "Everything seems perfect, actually."

"True." She pours some gravy over my turkey. "I can't believe everyone's here."

By everyone, she means her brothers, Chase and Daniel, who I've had the chance to chat with. Chase may be rough around the edges, but they're both good guys. And I can tell they care about Quinn very much and won't hesitate to go after me if I ever hurt her.

Steven's here, too, of course, with his wife Ellen and their two kids. And Mrs. Hardy, who cooked most of the food with some help from Mrs. Shaw and Janice, both also present. And Julie Carmichael, my former mother-in-law.

Of all of them, she's the one I'm most surprised to see. I haven't had the chance to talk to her yet. She's mostly been with Marianne and Clive. I saw her with Mrs. Hardy, too, and Ellen and Janice and Quinn.

Maybe later I'll talk to her.

~

"You look well," I tell Julie once we're alone in the lounge.

She looks almost just like she did before Merry died.

"Thank you." She smiles at me. "I guess traveling has done me some good. It's given me time to think and to learn things about myself. And of course, to learn from other people, too."

I nod. "That's good to hear."

She touches my arm. "You look good, too, Eli. I'm so happy that you and Marianne are like a real father and daughter now."

I smile. "Me too."

Suddenly, she falls silent.

My eyebrows crease. "Julie?"

She draws a deep breath. "Actually, Eli, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. I'm... sorry."

I'm even more confused. "For?"

"All those years ago at Merry's funeral, I should have told you that you weren't to blame for her death. I should have said something. After all, I know my own daughter wanted you to be happy." She takes my hand and squeezes it. "Also, I'm sorry I took Marianne away from you. Because of me, you didn't get to experience her precious first years."

I shake my head. "I'm grateful that you took care of her."

"But because of that, you had to grieve alone." She pauses. "You know, Harry thought so, too. I think that's why he gave you this place. I think he wanted you and Marianne to live here and reconnect and to heal."

"I'm glad he did," I tell her. "I'm beginning to think I really would like to stay and live here, to be with my family here."

Julie smiles. "Why not? Harry, Merry and I had good times here."

She walks to the window and looks out. I follow her.

"I'm going to make this place as productive as it used to be if not more. And I might add a few things."

She nods. "Well, it is your farm."

"But you'll always be welcome here, Julie. After all, you are Marianne's grandmother."

She waves her hand. "But what she needs is a mother, and it looks like she has one. I do like Quinn."

I grin. "Well, it's hard not to like her."

"True. She's a strong woman, just what you need."

I nod. "I was thinking exactly the same thing."

~

Finally, around ten, I manage to get Quinn alone in our bedroom.

"This is probably one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had." She smiles at her reflection in the mirror as she combs her hair. "There's just so much to be thankful for."

"I know what I'm most thankful for." I place a hand on her shoulder.

"Let me guess." She turns to me and touches the brush to her chin. "For this farm and this house?"

My eyebrows furrow. "Not quite."

"For not getting shot."

"I am thankful for that, but what I'm most thankful for is what's right in front of me now." I touch her cheek. "You, Quinn."

She places her hand over mine. "I'm thankful too, that I found you."

I give her a puzzled look. "Wasn't I the one who found you?"

Quinn shrugs. "I guess."

"And now that I've found you, I'm not letting you go."

I go down on one knee on the carpet. Quinn gasps. I take the box that I've been carrying with me all evening out of my pocket.

"You've already given me an amazing son, among other things, but now, I would like to ask you to be my wife." I open the box. "Will you marry me, Quinn Hardy?"

For a moment, she doesn't answer. She just stares at the diamond ring with her mouth gaping. Then she throws her arms around me.

"Yes, Elijah Strauss! I will marry you!"

I put my arms tightly around her and swing her around. She squeals. Then I set her down and slip the diamond ring on her finger.

"Now you're even more shiny."

She chuckles, then wraps her arms around my neck. "Now, this is the best Thanksgiving ever."

"I know."

I press my lips to her forehead, then to her nose, then her lips. I kiss her passionately as I grip her hips. Then I look into her eyes.

"And I have you to thank for it."

And I have a feeling I'll have so much more to be thankful for from now on.