CHAPTER TEN

 

 

The Quinn family was huge!

Rachel couldn’t believe how many people were at the ranch to celebrate Thanksgiving—and that most of them were related! There were the Quinn grandparents—Gertie and Harley, Andrew had introduced them as—and their five kids, and those kids’ kids. There was even a great-grandson, who belonged to Andrew’s sister Alyssa, a quiet, petite red-head.

Along with the family, some people had brought dates—like Rachel herself—or friends, and there were all the cowboys and hands who worked on the ranch itself attending too! All in all, there must’ve been fifty people bustling around and through the ancient homestead.

“Don’t worry,” Brooke said in a low voice as she moved up beside Rachel.

Rachel tried a smile. “I’m not worried.”

Yes you are, you dork. You’re worried because Andrew and his grandfather have been hiding in Georgia’s office for the last forty minutes.

Her friend scoffed. “You’re totally worried, aren’t you? But don’t worry, we don’t all have to sit together. Some of us are going to be fed at one of the other cabins, and there’s a few eating spaces in this house.” She slipped her arm through Rachel’s and pressed her elbow close, comfortingly. “It’ll be okay.”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t worried about where we were going to sit, honestly.”

“Ah-ha! So you were worried about something?”

Roxie sidled up on Rachel’s other side. “What’s Hannah worried about now?” she asked in a mock whisper.

That was it; Rachel burst into laughter. “I swear, I’ve been working with you how long? Your father considers me family! How on God’s green earth can you not remember my name? It’s Rachel”

Roxie, bless her heart, smiled with a twinkle in her eye. “I just get your name confused with Hannah.”

“She’s right.” Brooke nodded solemnly. “They’re both very similar names.”

“Yeah,” Rachel quipped sarcastically. “They both have ‘A’s in them!”

“And ‘H’s!” Roxie giggled.

Brooke poked Rachel in the side. “Feeling better yet, missy?”

Sighing, Rachel had to agree. “Thanks for making me feel welcome. I’m really glad I came.”

Roxie shrugged. “You’re like family, Rachel, as you said.”

“And now that you’re dating our cousin, you’re even closer!”

Rachel smiled at her friend and her coworker. What she and Andrew had…it felt more than dating somehow. He was her boyfriend, yeah, but he…

She sighed. He hadn’t given her any indication he wanted more from her—he hadn’t even kissed her again!—but her feelings for him went way beyond boyfriend/girlfriend. They were more serious.

They were forever.

She sighed, part-longing, part-happiness.

To her surprise, Roxie echoed it. “I know, I miss him too. I can’t stand to be apart.”

Brooke stuck her tongue out at her cousin. “You miss Andrew?”

“No, silly! I miss Ciran.” Roxie sighed again. “We’re newlyweds you know. This turkey toss is taking forever.”

Apparently all the male members of the Quinn family had a tradition which took them outside to throw turkeys at one another, while the ladies stayed inside and put the final touches on the Thanksgiving meal. Andrew had explained it all on the drive over to the Ranch that morning.

“I don’t know,” he’d said, frowning as he concentrated on the road ahead. “It always sounded dumb to me, and this year…”

Rachel had patted his leg. “This year is your first time seeing these people in a long time. You don’t have to dive back in like nothing’s changed. You’re allowed to sit back and watch for a while.”

He’d glanced at her, then back out the front window. “Thanks.” He’d taken a deep breath. “I think I needed that reminder. You’re pretty smart, you know. It’s one of the things I lo— I like about you.”

And that little stumble had been on Rachel’s mind for the last few hours. While he’d been introducing her to his immediate family—his sister Katie and his mother had hugged her like she was an old friend—and while she held his hand as he’d struggled through some awkward “What are you doing here?” conversations, she’d been thinking about that “lo—”. Could it have meant what she hoped it meant?

Andrew had done a good job during that first hour, fielding questions with a combination of humor and honesty, without actually telling any of Heather’s secrets. But then, when his Uncle Harley had announced the turkey toss and the rest of the men trooped out into the cold, he’d hesitated. His grip on her hand had tightened, and she’d ached because she didn’t know how to help him.

But then, his grandfather had stepped up beside him and put his arm around Andrew’s shoulders.

“Welcome home, kiddo,” he’d said in an adorably gruff voice.

And Rachel had watched the flicker of emotions cross Andrew’s face. Sadness and love and a humbling sort of affection, all at once. Gently, she slipped her hand from his and stepped back, so his grandfather could lead him down the hall to one of the offices for a quiet chat.

Whatever they were talking about in there, it must’ve been special. In the last week, since Andrew’s confrontation with his uncle, she’d heard more of his stories about his family. Now, she felt as if she knew them all. And knowing how much affection he felt for his grandfather—the man who’d taught him so much—and knowing how little he’d spoken to the man in the last few years, she knew their current conversation must be wonderful, yet gut-wrenching.

Brooke was still teasing Roxie about her starry-eyed mooning, and Rachel had to smile along as well. It seemed that, as Brooke had said, a few Quinn cousins had found love that year. She swallowed thickly. Was Andrew among them? The fact he hadn’t tried to kiss her again—

“You’re doing it again, Rachel,” Brooke said. “Looking worried. And just when we’d gotten you to relax!”

Roxie giggled again. “She misses her honey!”

Honey? Rachel resisted the urge to roll her eyes, knowing how much Andrew would hate the ‘sobriquet.’ However…

“You’re right, I do miss him,” she admitted.

“Well, lucky for you, he’s coming back!” Roxie pointed with her chin, then grabbed Brooke by the arm. “Come on, let’s leave them be!”

Rachel didn’t have time to turn before she felt Andrew’s arms wrap around her middle, and he buried his face in her hair. She loved the way he inhaled deeply, as if her scent was some kind of balm. Heaven knew she felt the same way about him.

“Hi, you,” she said in a low voice, not wanting anyone to overhear. “How are you doing?”

“Better now, I think.” His voice was still muffled.

“Because you spoke with your grandfather?”

“Yeah.” He huffed slightly, then straightened. “And because I’m with you.”

Gently, he turned her in his arms until she was facing him. His expression was serious, and a little alarming, as he looked down at her. “Can I steal you away?”

She made a show of looking around. They were surrounded by Quinn women, hustling back and forth with platters of food and cups and plates. “No one’s given me any chores to do, and I’m here for you.” She smiled softly. “Steal away.”

Before she had time to blink, he’d grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hallway. She found herself pressed against a wall of paneled wood, with the big, warm, comforting mass of him before her. He braced his hands on the wall on either side of her head and, at a loss for what she was supposed to do with her hands, Rachel rested them on his hips.

“I had a nice talk with Gramps,” Andrew murmured, his eyes flicking back and forth between hers. “Set some things straight, got some advice about the future.”

“Oh?” Rachel decided she’d say just about anything to keep him right where he was. “What’s that?”

“He told me if there’s a woman who’s captured my heart, a woman who’s helped me become a better man, a woman I want to hold in my heart forever…I needed to come out here and tell her so.”

Rachel’s eyes widened at the word “forever,” and her breath caught as she realized what he was saying. “You think— You want to hold me—” Suddenly, it was impossible to finish her thoughts. “Blargh?”

Slowly, his grin grew inside his beard until she could see his single dimple.

“You’re a dork.”

You’re a dork. Her heart plummeted.

But…?

“You’re adorkable.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss along her right cheekbone. “It’s one of the things I love about you.” He placed a gentle kiss over her left eyebrow. “You’re kind and fierce when you’re protecting someone you care about. That’s another thing I love about you.”

“Even Bob?” she managed to choke out.

“Even Bob.” He twisted slightly to kiss her left jaw. “I love that you’re full of good intentions, and you do everything in your power to make them a reality. I love that you care about my family. I love that you don’t mind I only listen to podcasts instead of reading, and you listen when I talk about them. I love that you don’t think it’s gross I chew gum all the time. I love that you understand I’m going to try to fix problems by hitting them with hammers or sawing them apart with blades. I love that you get me.”

I love I love I love.

The refrain echoed in Rachel’s mind, and she felt her chest fill with something light and fluffy.

He dropped one kiss on her nose. “I love you, Rachel Chakrabarti. I’ve waited a long time for someone like you to come into my life, and now that I’ve found you, I’m not letting you go.”

“You love me,” she breathed, still not sure she believed it. “You love me?”

He frowned slightly. “Why are you repeating it? Is it so hard to believe?”

“You love me…” Her eyes widened in wonder. “Even though you haven’t kissed me?”

“Me?” He straightened fully, frowning down at her in earnest now. “You’re the one who hasn’t kissed me!”

She shook her head. “No, no, I was leaving it up to you! I negotiated before, and it was stupid, so I was leaving it up to you to decide—”

He burst into laughter, and shook his head in time with hers.

“No,” he was finally able to say in between chuckles. “I figured you should be the one who—”

Oh, this is ridiculous!

She snaked her hands around his waist and pulled him flush against her. Raising herself on her tiptoes, she pressed her lips against his, and he shut up.

He shut up for a good long time.

Their second kiss was just as glorious as their first. More so even, because in the time since that first kiss, she’d seen the darkest part of his soul, had held him as he’d cried. He’d given her strength she hadn’t known she’d possessed, and taught her the true meaning of love.

So yeah, this kiss is even better.

Their third kiss was pretty good too. And the fourth.

It seemed like ages before they pulled apart, each breathing heavily. Her cheeks were rubbed raw from his beard, but she doubted anyone could tell, because of her darker skin. She still tasted his chewing-gum minty flavor, and breathed the same air from his lungs.

Andrew rested his forehead against hers, exhaling deeply. His eyes were closed, and for the first time since that disastrous interview, she sensed real peace within him.

“I love you, Rachel,” he whispered.

Her arms were around his neck, so she stroked the back of his head. “And I love you, Andrew McIver.”

He straightened away from her, and she hated it. But only so far as it took to look down into her eyes.

“Really?”

She smiled. “Really. I’ve been falling in love with you for—well, for a while. I love you are brave enough to face your demons, but are strong enough to not need to. I love how much you cherish your family, and I love that your only tattoos are your niece and nephew’s names, because that’s what’s important. I love that you chew gum instead of tobacco, and you like me enough to share what you learn from podcasts and listen to my opinion. I love that you care about me.”

Dorkiest confession of love ever?

But she just smiled and told her subconscious to quiet down, because every word was true.

Andrew’s green eyes had widened. “We’re a pair, aren’t we?”

She nodded slowly. “I really think we are.”

Their fifth kiss was the best yet.

 

 

“Thank you for coming. I’ve asked Bob to say grace.”

Gramps was finishing up his welcome speech to the gathered clan—plus visitors—but Andrew had tuned out most of it.

Instead, he’d stood at the back of the room, his arm around Rachel, and counted his blessings. It had been years since he’d been around this many Quinns, but they’d welcomed him as if no time had passed at all. It had still been awkward for him, knowing it was his own fault he’d stayed away so long, and knowing if he’d just confronted his uncle earlier, years of estrangement could’ve been avoided.

But if he’d done that, he wouldn’t have met Rachel. Oh, maybe he would’ve met her—they were both on the same dating site, and she worked for his uncle, after all—and maybe sparks would’ve flown. But without the interview to hold over his head, without the incentive of getting him to reconcile with his uncle, would he now be standing here with her in his arms?

He blew out a breath and, as his mother used to say, gave his worries to God. What was done was in the past, and he could only look to the future.

Towards forever.

That’s what Gramps had said earlier in their private meeting. He hadn’t asked for all the details of Andrew’s separation from the family, and hadn’t asked why Heather was still not at Quinn Valley Ranch that day, but he’d taken Andrew’s hand and spoken about the future. He’d told his grandson that family was all about fixing and forgiving and moving on, because family is forever.

Family is forever.

Andrew had heard his uncle’s words in the back of his head then: Marriage is forever. Heather’s marriage hadn’t been, and it shouldn’t have been, but Gramps didn’t seem to judge her. No, all he’d said was “Family is forever” and he’d hugged Andrew. They’d talked about simple things after that; fixes Gramps had planned to the homestead, the drain in the kitchen sink which was still giving him trouble, and the headache of managing River’s End Ranch.

“You know, son,” Gramps had said with a sly twinkle in his eye, “The Quinn Hotel sounds a sight easier to handle, when it comes to being chief engineer.”

And he was right. Somewhere in the last few days, between forgiving Uncle Bob and sitting there holding his grandfather’s hand, Andrew had realized the truth: As much as he loved River’s End Ranch, and as proud as he was of all he’d accomplished there, he was ready for a new challenge.

Someplace without goats.

Bob and his family were running a top-notch hotel, and he was in desperate need of a chief. Andrew had all the right experience and could ask for a comparable paycheck. Besides, Bob was family.

And family is forever.

He tightened his hold on Rachel and felt his heart smile as she lay her head on his shoulder. He couldn’t wait to get her alone again. Not just for the kissing—although that was nice—but to tell her what he’d decided.

Bob stepped up to the spot his father had vacated, and around him, Andrew’s family members bowed their heads in prayer. But Andrew kept his gaze on his uncle.

“Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today with humble hearts and open minds, ready to bask in the blessings you’ve bestowed upon each and every one of us. We’ve each had our struggles, but here, surrounded by our family and Your love, we can focus on what we have to be thankful for.”

Bob looked up, and despite the multitude of people between them, he met Andrew’s eyes. His voice became a little rougher as he held his nephew’s gaze and continued, “We are grateful for each other, and for the forgiveness You offer each of us. You see the truth of our hearts, and You love us, and we’re grateful.”

Andrew’s throat got a little tight as he understood what his uncle was saying. Andrew was grateful for forgiveness and family and love—God’s and human. He nodded to Bob, and his uncle inclined his head slightly and finished the blessing.

“Dear Heavenly Father, we ask you to bless this food, and the hard-working hands who prepared it. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”

The murmured chorus of “Amens” faded into laughter as the entire clan sprung into action, grabbing plates and elbowing for space at the buffet. Andrew was content to hold Rachel until the crowd subsided.

Later, they found spots at a table set up in the living room, with his parents and siblings. Sitting in their ancestral homestead, surrounded by his family, he really missed Heather. She should be here, her kids should be sitting beside little Jeremiah, although he was so much younger. She should be offering advice to Alyssa, as they swapped stories about raising the next generation of McIvers.

He chuckled ruefully at himself, then dug into his mashed potatoes. It had only been a few days since he’d reconciled with the family himself. He had to give her time too.

Beside him, Rachel was chatting with Katie, who could manage to be excited about almost everything in the world.

“I’m so glad you’re a part of this craziness now too, Rachel!” she was saying.

Rachel just shrugged shyly. “You barely know me. But I am grateful to be here with you.”

Alyssa leaned around her son, who was eating only a biscuit and raw carrots from the veggie platter. “We know you love our brother, and that’s good enough.”

His brows rising, Andrew looked up to meet his little brother’s teasing grin. They could tell Rachel loved him? Could they tell he loved her?

Love was weird.

“Yeah,” Dusty said, without dropping Andrew’s gaze, “But are you sure?” Before Andrew could ask what he meant, Dusty blinked and turned his forty-watt perfect smile on Rachel. “I mean, are you sure you’re in love with the right brother?”

But Rachel just scoffed and waved her hand at Dusty. “You’ve managed to make half the population of Quinn Valley fall in love with you. I’m not one of your conquests.”

“Only the female half,” he said seriously.

The rest of the table burst into laughter at his wild claim, and Rachel joined in. Even Andrew chuckled, although he knew his brother didn’t want all those women in love with him. No, Dusty was the opposite of his older brother; he wasn’t looking for love or commitment, and definitely wasn’t looking for forever.

Andrew, on the other hand…

He smiled at Rachel, and took her hand under the table. When he met her eyes, he gave her fingers a little squeeze, and loved the way her smile bloomed.

“I love you,” he said.

She flushed slightly and lowered her eyes for a moment. But then, without once looking around at their audience, she whispered, “I love you too.”

And then, surrounded by the love and support of his family—although Dusty was making catcalls—he leaned in and kissed her.

Uncle Bob was right. He did have much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.