Bearpaw Ridge, Idaho
It was Thanksgiving, and Elle was in the kitchen, basting the two large turkeys intended for their dinner. She only hoped that Justin and the others would return from their emergency call before the birds mummified in the oven.
The holiday had started off so well, too.
Thor and Cassie had flown in from Denver, and the entire extended Swanson family had been gathered in the ranch house's big Victorian living room, enjoying appetizers and drinks before dinner.
Then Elle had heard the alert tone from the first responder app issuing from half the smartphones in the room, and she knew that something bad must have happened.
All of the volunteer firefighters of the Bearpaw Ridge Fire Department had the app installed on their phone. The 911 dispatcher used it to send them details of emergency calls that came in, including incident information and driving directions to guide them to the scene of an accident, medical emergency, or fire.
"Multi-vehicle accident on Highway 93, near Dean Jacobsen's farm," Dane reported to the room at large.
Everyone groaned. It had snowed last night, leaving the roads icy. This was going to be bad.
There was a general exodus to the vehicles parked outside, including Steffi, who had recently completed training as an EMT, and the BPRFD's newest volunteer firefighter, Justin Long.
Hoping to find acceptance in his new community, he had joined the BPRFD shortly after moving to Bearpaw Ridge in September. He was currently in the process of completing the required training classes at a nearby community college.
In the three months since moving to the area, Justin had become well-liked by the town's residents and most of the shifters.
Justin's new Wildcat Springs Texas BBQ restaurant was set to open in the spring. He had hired local contractors to redo the restaurant's interior over the winter, including Elle's longtime friend and electrician Fred Barker. The work Justin had provided during a traditionally slow time of the year had won him a lot of new friends in town.
Now, as Elle pulled the turkeys out of the oven to rest before carving, she heard her front door open and her daughters-in-law happily greet the returning firefighters, accompanied by Royce's loud barking as Steffi entered the house.
Royce was Steffi's dog. He was a big friendly mutt, protective of the Swansons—especially the children—and a shameless swiper of unguarded goodies off tables and counters.
Elle emerged from the kitchen and found herself swept up in Justin's embrace.
"—one person airlifted to the hospital in Salmon, but we think she'll be okay after surgery," Dane was telling Annabeth.
"Everyone else managed to get through it with just bumps, bruises, and a couple of broken noses from deployed airbags," Evan added.
"Sounds like there are going to be several families truly giving thanks tonight," Elle said. "Speaking of which, your timing is excellent. The turkeys have just come out of the oven, and everything else is almost done."
Forty-five minutes later, everyone was seated around the huge dining table, which had been set with Elle's best antique china, crystal, and silver.
As was customary, before the food was served, each person seated at the table made a brief statement about what they were grateful for.
When it was Justin's turn, he pushed his chair back and stood, pulling something out of his pocket. Then he knelt next to Elle's chair.
She heard a collective gasp go around the table. Her own heart began pounding wildly.
"I'm grateful for my new life here in Bearpaw Ridge," Justin began. "And for the warm welcome that y'all have given me. But most of all, I'm grateful for you, Elle, and I can't imagine living without you."
"Justin," she began. Her throat felt tight, and it was difficult to speak.
"I'm sure this isn't a complete surprise, since we've been courtin' for a while," he said with a wicked smile, his Texas drawl thick and smooth as butter now. "But I want you for my mate and my wife, Elle Swanson. Will you marry me?"
She stared down at a delicate Art Nouveau engagement ring, graceful tendrils of gold studded with sparkling diamond blossoms, and felt her eyes stinging with tears.
"Justin," she started over. "After my husband died, I never thought I'd find another mate. But you've made me so happy, and I can't imagine living without you." She took a deep, shaking breath. "I love you, and yes, I'll be your mate and wife."
Justin's smile was incandescent, and his aquamarine eyes glowed with happiness in his tanned face. He slipped the ring on her finger, then raised her hand to his lips.
Her family clapped and cheered and whooped. Someone began tapping their wine glass with a fork, and they all joined in.
Laughing, Elle took Justin's face between her hands and kissed him softly on the mouth.
"You've made me the happiest man on the planet," he told her. "How soon can we get married?"
"Christmas!" Margaret shouted. "Let's have a Christmas wedding!"
Elle glanced over at her grinning sister and saw her giving Justin the thumbs-up. He responded with a nod and a touch of his forefinger to his forehead.
Mark rose to his feet and raised his wineglass in Justin and Elle's direction.
"Congratulations, you two," he said, beaming. He had really warmed up to Justin since they began volunteering together as firefighters, much to Elle's relief. "I'd say 'welcome to the family,' Justin, but you're already one of us. Cheers!"
"Cheers!" echoed a beaming Cassie and Thor enthusiastically, followed by everyone else at the table.
Justin took Elle's hand. "I couldn't ask for a better family," he told them.
"And I couldn't ask for a better mate," Elle added.
She gazed around the table, crowded with the smiling faces of the people she loved more than life itself, from her sister Margaret down to Matt and Ellie in their high chairs.
"I feel so lucky and so blessed," she told them.
"And so do I," Justin said, his fingers tightening around hers. His gaze rested on his daughter's radiant face before turning to Elle. "So do I."
The End
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