Page 73 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

And then their family was whole.

Almost whole.

“Glad you could make it, Dad,” Hunter said, giving his dad a one-armed hug.

“And miss Martha’s? You gotta be kidding.” Joe chuckled.

Vera stepped up to the table. “Well, if it isn’t the Barrett boys.”

“And Daisy!” Waylen called from his distant spot at the end of the table.

Daisy buried her blushing face in her hands, and Hunter chuckled, wrapping an arm around her.

“And Daisy,” Vera agreed. “We’ve got a whole turkey set aside for you all.” She leaned in and placed down a platter overflowing with turkey, stuffing, and all the fixings. “Eat up, boys—and Daisy—there’s plenty more where that came from.”

“Oh, Dad here’s on a heart-healthy diet,” Hunter said, catching Vera before she could walk away. “You got any arugula? You can just bring him a heap of arugula. Or like…just raw carrots.”

There was a chorus of ridiculous “healthy food” suggestions. Daisy tossed in a suggestion about quinoa.

“I’ll be partaking in thestandardThanksgiving dinner, thanks Vera,” Dad said, giving the entire table a scathing look.

Chuckles all around.

Vera left, and the table erupted into a flurry of passing plates as food was piled high.

Platters were passed from the Barretts to the Jonathons, the Quinns, the Kelleys, and the Harts. And Hunter watched as Daisy dove right in, melding with the group as though it were where she belonged.

And he tried not to wonder what tomorrow would look like.

The evening died down, friends and families made their way home until only a small gathering remained at the diner. Hunter leaned back against his seat, his belly one turkey leg too full.

A game of rummy had broken out in one of the booths, the usuals having opened up a few chairs for newcomers. Mickey Harper sat across from Stu with furrowed brows, and Lyle let out a hoot as Mickey laid down a winning card. A chorus of shouts and objections erupted from the booth.

Hunter chuckled and turned his gaze toward the bar, where Jill was chatting with Terry and Bonnie Quinn, who were no doubt regaling her with tales of their recent cross-country RV trip.

At a nearby table, Jude and Evan were engaged in animated conversation with a pretty brunette—likely some cousin visiting family for the holiday. Their laughter carried across the room, adding to the low hum of conversation.

Miles, ever the responsible older brother, called out to them. “Hey, you two! How about rejoining the family?”

Jude glanced over his shoulder, a mischievous grin on his face. “Can’t a guy multitask? We’re securing plus ones for Hunter’s wedding.”

“Yeah,” Evan chimed in. “It’s important family business.”

They sauntered back to the table, settling across from Hunter and Daisy.

Waylen plucked a piece of turkey from the nearly empty platter still sitting in the middle of the table and popped it in his mouth. “Speaking of weddings,” he said as he leaned forward, addressing Daisy with a mouthful of food. “You’re coming with us, right? We’re renting an SUV and road-tripping out on Thursday morning. Nothing says future in-law bonding time like a seven-hour drive. Am I right?”

Hunter stiffened, unsure what her response would be. The conversation with Daisy from weeks ago replayed in his mind. Sure, she’d offered to attend the wedding with him. But it had been a pity offer. And once this whole arrangement was over, he didn’t know what to expect. Certainly not to take his maybe-new girlfriend on their first date to his mom’s wedding, never mind that he still wasn’t sure if he wanted to go himself.

To his surprise, Daisy looked to him. You still up for this?

Hunter considered for a moment. He’d spent so long trying to hold on to the past, imagining that he could put everything back together so long as he let nothing change. And then Daisy had burst into his life, drawing him out of his shell, showing him how change could be good. The house was only one example of that.

His mother deserved a fresh start, and she wanted him to be a part of it.

He gave Daisy a quick nod.

She snuggled in beside him, her head resting on his shoulder. “I wouldn’t miss it,” she replied.

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