Page 55 of King

People filled the compound, mingling beneath the twinkling lights strung across the lot. The air was filled with laughter, playing, music, and the comforting hum of community spirit. The food trucks were a hit, their delicious aromas mixing with the scent of barbecue from the grill station, where Steele and Doc flipped burgers like they were competing for a championship title.

But it wasn’t the turnout that had Ella feeling like she was floating—it was the sheeramountof donations.

Everywhere she looked, there were bins overflowing with canned goods, boxes of pasta, baby supplies, hygiene products, and so much more. Every table was stacked high with bags of food, and volunteers from the food bank were busy sorting everything, their smiles wide and their voices full of excitement.

They hadcrushedtheir goal and then some.

Ella stood near the welcome table, staring in awe at everything, her heart swelling so much she thought it might burst.

“I can’t believe this,” she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief.

King’s warm arm wrapped around her waist, snuggling her against his side. “Believe it, dollface. This is what small-town living is all about. Community.”

Ella turned, looking up at him, her eyes shining.

King cupped her face in his warm hands. “Be proud, Little one. You’ve done an amazing job here.”

She was.

She was so unbelievably proud.

And happy.

The entire time, King stayed by her side, his presence steady and reassuring. He made sure she was drinking water, bringing her small bites of real food between conversations so she wouldn’t get distracted and forget to eat. Everyone at the party wanted to talk to her, even briefly, to tell her what a great success it had been and that they hoped it would happen again. Ella was more than overwhelmed, and her heart was so full that it was impossible not to smile all night.

“Three bites, baby,” King instructed as he held up a plate in between her chatting with guests.

“But—”

“No buts. Eat.”

She giggled and obeyed, unable to deny how much shelovedthat he took care of her, even in his own bossy way.

And truly, she couldn’t imagine amoreperfect night.

Until she heard them.

A familiar voice behind her—warm and loving.

“Darling!”

Ella froze.

Slowly, she turned around.

And there they were.

Her parents.

Standing a few feet away, watching her with equal parts pride and overwhelming emotion.

Ella’s hands flew to her mouth. “Mom? Dad?”

Tears welled in her mother’s eyes as she smiled. “Ella,” she whispered, already stepping forward.

Ellalaunchedherself into their arms, tears spilling down her cheeks before she could stop them. “You’rehere,” she gasped, clinging to them as they wrapped her up in a tight hug.

Her father chuckled. “Of course we are, kiddo.”

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