The Loner's Thanksgiving Wish. Roxanne Rustand

blushed. “I surely don’t need to be here. But thanks—that was real nice of you, coming by like this. Jasmine will love the flowers when she comes in.”

      “I saw her after church, actually, with Arabella and the triplets. I told her that I’d stop by now, and she’ll be coming after she helps with Sunday dinner.”

      “You are coming to the wedding, right?” he asked earnestly. “Jasmine said you hadn’t heard about it ‘til we saw you on the trail yesterday.”

      “I guess I’ve been out of the loop. I … don’t make it back here much. My grandfather’s funeral was the last time.”

      Digging his elbows into the mattress, Cade hiked himself higher in the bed. “Sorry about your grandpa.”

      A shadow crossed her delicate features, though as far as Jack had seen of him, George Clayton Sr. hadn’t been a kindly man. Difficult, controlling and power hungry were the words most of the townsfolk used to describe him.

      Mei nodded. “Thanks, Cade.”

      “Hi, everyone. Doesn’t he look good? I can’t believe it!” Jasmine flitted through the doorway and hurried to the bed to drop a kiss on Cade’s cheek. “Arabella let me come over right away because I was just too nervous to stay home. Wow—look at those beautiful flowers.”

      Cade chuckled, and Jack found himself smiling at the joy she emanated. No matter how foolhardy their marriage plans were, no one could deny that Cade and his young fiancée were hopelessly in love.

      Jasmine slid her hand into his. “Did you tell them about our Thanksgiving dinner plans?”

      “Uh … not yet.”

      Mei tilted her head. “So you’re really going to go through with this?”

      “Yep. We started working out the plans last night. Cade and I are putting on a huge Thanksgiving feast this year.”

      “She still insists that it’ll be for both sides of the family,” Cade added with a rueful shake of his head. “I’m guessing that it just might be the most memorable holiday ever, if everyone shows up and they all survive.”

      “What he means is that it’s high time everyone got together and got along, after all these years of feuding between the two branches of the Clayton family tree.” Jasmine’s mouth formed a firm line. “And for all those who think Cade and I are too immature to get married, putting on this dinner is going to prove to everyone that we are mature, capable adults.”

      Mei’s eyes widened. “Oh, dear. Have you discussed this with Arabella?”

      “Yes, and last night I called Brooke, Vivienne and Zach, too.”

      “And they said …”

      Jasmine’s cheeks flushed. “I admit it took some explaining. But honestly, it’s ridiculous to keep up all the hatred—as if the Claytons were the Colorado version of the Hatfields and McCoys, or something.” She took a deep breath. “Since I’ve been living with Arabella, I’m supposedly part of George’s ‘side,’ and Cade is part of Samuel’s. Our marriage is …”

      “It’s going to be a bit like the Clayton version of Romeo and Juliet, to add another analogy,” Jack said dryly. “With a much better ending.”

      “Exactly. But after this dinner I expect everyone to come to our Christmas wedding and behave.”

      “Goodness.” Mei blinked and fell silent for a moment. “Have you thought about the expense of making such a dinner for so many people?”

      “I’ve figured out the costs to a penny.” Jasmine grinned.

      “We’re using a good share of our wedding money to pull it off, but we figure we’re investing in our future.”

      As happy as she appeared to be, this was only going to lead to trouble, as far as Jack could see. Then again, she hadn’t been in the room a few minutes earlier. If she’d overhead Pauley and Charlie, she would be thinking twice about her whole scheme.

      “Is this wise?” Jack said tactfully, not wanting to share those unfortunate insights and add fuel to the flames. “There must be a lot of expenses ahead with the wedding.”

      “Not really. My uncle Jonathan bought my wedding dress, and with all of the poinsettias at the church every year, I won’t need to add any flowers there—just my bouquet. Zach’s fiancée, Kylie, wants to be a wedding planner, so she’s been helping me with a lot of the details for free. And I’m going to ask everyone to bring their digital cameras and take lots and lots of pictures. We can crop and edit them on Cade’s laptop and I’m sure we’ll end up with a wonderful album.”

      Jack blinked. He’d spent the past few months trying to convince Cade to wait a few more years to get married. When had all of this transpired? “You two are more organized than I realized.”

      “That’s what I want to prove. And we also want to be a part of both sides of the family and not ever feel we’re caught in the middle.”

      “Still, everyone ought to contribute something to this dinner. Most families do it that way so one person isn’t stuck with all the work.” Mei bit her lower lip. “What did my cousins say?”

      “Just what you said. Vivienne, Arabella and Brooke have all insisted on bringing food. Not only that, but Kylie’s bringing something, too.”

      “That makes four, and you can count on Lucas and me, too. I’m not much of a cook, but he and I can buy some of Arabella’s wonderful pies.”

      Concern flashed in Jasmine’s eyes. “Have … urn, have you heard from him yet?”

      “No. But we will. I’m sure of it.”

      Despite the determination in Mei’s voice, Jack could also hear a hint of worry, and from out of nowhere came the sudden impulse to go to her and give her a long, comforting hug.

      He forced himself to stay put. “Lucas is one of the most intelligent, resourceful people I’ve met. He’ll probably show up any day now and wonder why on earth anyone worried about him.”

      “That would be Lucas.” Mei gave him a grateful smile that wobbled a bit at the corners. “Though that streak of independence did get him in trouble a time or two when he was younger.”

      He found himself glancing at her ring finger—no engagement or wedding rings there—and wondering what she’d been doing during the decade since high school. She’d been so beautiful, so shy back then, and though she’d been known as one of the smart kids, she hadn’t hung around with any of the cliques as far as he knew.

      “I think I’ll leave these two kids for a while and have a cup of coffee,” he found himself saying. “Would you like to join me?”

      Mei’s perfect, golden complexion suffused with delicate pink. “N-no … but thanks. I’d really better get going.”

      She was gone in a flash, leaving a faint scent of lily of the valley in her wake.

      Of course she’d say no. What had he been thinking? The past invaded Jack’s thoughts, tinged with the painful humiliation that had cut his pride so deeply back then.

      The phone call from her hostile mother.

      The visit from her father.

      Both had been beyond irate after hearing an unfounded rumor about a relationship between Jack and their precious daughter.

      No, he’d been put in his place back then, and the princess clearly felt she was out of his league still.

      Maybe they’d bump into each other at Thanksgiving and Cade’s Christmas wedding, but even then he’d be sure to steer clear of her. Whatever small inkling of attraction he felt toward her was a complete waste of time.

      “I’ll see you two later,” Jack said. A small envelope on the floor caught his eye as he