Page 58 of Kiss the Girl
She looked almost offended. “Put me out? Have you not heard of the legendary Greene Thanksgiving spread? We could add fifty people for dinner and still have leftovers. And if we couldn’t, we’d find a longer table and cook more.”
“I appreciate that, Miss Lily, but I can’t change plans on Noah like that.”
She mulled that for a moment. “I understand. But consider the invitation open, even if you wake up Thanksgiving morning and realize you can’t bear the idea of cooking a turkey. Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Good girl. Now, tell me what you’re thinking about for the spring garden season.”
We talked through the seeds I was planning to order, and it gave me a small twinge to realize I wouldn’t be here when she came to pick them up. My dad would be here instead because he was better, and that made it okay. Better than okay.
On the last game night before Thanksgiving, Noah and I showed up at Brooke’s house prepared to do battle over Yahtzee, but Brooke walked us into a snack-free living room.
“Where’s the snacks?” Noah and I asked at the same time, then grinned at each other.
“Sit, because we’re fixing to have company.”
“Who?” I asked as a knock sounded on the front door.
“Be right back,” Brooke said, and she was, with Miss Lily. “Gran wants to talk to you.”
“I invited Grace the other day myself, but she was worried about changing plans on you, Noah, so I’m here to ask you myself. I would like you both to come to Thanksgiving, and your families too,” Miss Lily said. “My Thanksgivings are never as big as they used to be. These grandchildren of mine have grown up but they’re taking too long to pull themselves together and start families—” she darted a glare at Brooke who rolled her eyes –“and I need more people in my place. Noah, surely your niece would love to come over and run all around my property while you and Paige take a break.”
Noah looked at me, and I shrugged. Why was Miss Lily being so adamant about this? Knowing her, she was up to something, but what?
He looked at Brooke, who only smiled. “Well, if your parents won’t mind…” he said to me.
“They won’t.” My dad’s endurance improved every week, but he’d probably welcome the idea of having Thanksgiving at Miss Lily’s house so he and my mom could excuse themselves when he got tired rather than waiting for Noah and Paige to leave. I would double check with her about all of this, but I had a feeling it would come as a relief.
“Sounds like a plan,” he said.
“Good.” Miss Lily rose. “It’s settled, then. We’ll have a big table full of food and people, just as it should be. I’ll see you next week.”
Brooke walked her to the door, and I could hear Miss Lily reassuring her that she could make it next door to her own house without any help.
Brooke came back in and studied us curiously. “So how are you going to feel about having to keep up the dating act all day?”
“We don’t have to. My parents know, remember?”
“But Gran doesn’t,” Brooke said. “And she invited Dr. Boone.”
Noah winced. I studied Brooke like she studied her microscope slides. Miss Lily was definitely up to something.
“Brooke, did you tell Miss Lily about our fake dating plan?”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Why would I do that?”
“That’s not a no,” I said.
“You’re being paranoid. Anyway, trust me, you’re going to love Gran’s Thanksgiving. Give me a minute to get the snacks.”
Shestillhadn’t said no.
“Oh,” Brooke said, pausing at the kitchen doorway. “Gran has an excellent BS detector, so you’ll need to really sell it if you want to fool her. Otherwise, she’s likely to ask an uncomfortable question at the worst possible moment.” She disappeared into the kitchen.
“She’s up to something,” I told Noah.
“Isn’t she always?” He didn’t look concerned. “It’ll be fine.”
