Chapter 25

25

R eagan awoke early Thanksgiving morning in her own bed inside the B&B. She had deliberately chosen not to spend the night with Tucker, knowing so much needed to be done today. He had helped her and her aunt cart a ton of groceries to Braden and Harper’s yesterday, where she and Aunt Jean had done a good amount of prep work for today’s feast. Tucker had stayed the entire time in case he was needed, mostly hanging out with Braden. Harper was in and out, sometimes Beau with her. She had let Reagan hold the baby again. Having a little one in her arms brought sweet yearnings within her, and she knew she was ready to make a lasting commitment to Tucker soon. After all, Aunt Jean was continuing to pressure them to get married. While she knew others might question the speed with which they would do so, she knew in her heart it was the right thing to do. Something told Reagan it would be the final step in healing both of them from their grief of having lost their previous loved ones.

She showered and dressed and went downstairs for a quick cup of coffee and piece of toast, something to tide her over before the big meal this afternoon. Thank goodness they had no guests in the inn to make breakfast for this morning. Aunt Jean had had a full house last Friday night, thanks to the large wedding which had taken place at the event center. Two of those couples had stayed on through Saturday night, as well.

When she had asked Aunt Jean about who would be staying over the holiday weekend, her aunt told her no one ever did. That she always marked The Inn at Lost Creek full on the website around holiday times, taking some time for herself. She and Tucker were the only guests at the moment. Even Sid Allen, who had been with Aunt Jean for months, had come to her a week ago, saying he and his wife were going to try and make another go of their marriage. He’d spoken to his foreman and had been placed on the day shift. Aunt Jean had sent Sid off with her blessings, telling him he would always have a room with her if he needed it, but she hoped that he would find success in his marriage.

Entering the kitchen, Reagan saw Aunt Jean and Tucker already sitting at the table.

“We just sat,” Tucker told her. “Let me pour you a cup of coffee.”

While he did so, she popped a slice of bread into the toaster. “Ready for our big day, Aunt Jean?”

“I’m glad we planned for a few extras,” her aunt replied.

Reagan had been pleased that Matt Hardy and his wife and children were going to join them, as would Ry’s aunt and uncle. Shelly Blackwood had agreed to bring her famous yeast rolls, which would be one less thing for them to have to worry about today.

“It’s a good thing Braden said he’d put the turkeys on for us this morning,’ Aunt Jean continued. “He’s saved us a trip to their place and back, but we’ll need to head over there soon. There’s lots to do to put on a meal for this large a group.”

“I’m ready. Once we finish breakfast, all I’ll do is brush my teeth, and we can be out the door.”

“No need for you to go as early as we do, Tucker,” Aunt Jean said. “Why, it’ll give you time to work on a new song.”

He smiled at the old woman. “Do you have any ideas for me, Miss Jean?”

“I’d say you’re doing pretty well with love songs these days. Why don’t you write another one?”

“I’ll take it under consideration,” he said, rising from the table. He leaned down and kissed Reagan’s cheek. “I’ll head over about noon. If you need any help in the kitchen before that, just holler.”

“Will do,” she replied.

Fifteen minutes later, she and her aunt were on the way to the Clarks’ house. Reagan texted ahead to let Braden know they would arrive soon.

Harper greeted them at the door, looking maternal and competent at the same time, as only Harper could.

“I just put Beau down after feeding him. Is there anything I can help to do in the kitchen? Chop? Dice?” she grinned. “Supervise?”

“I know you do that supervising best, Harper, but you are worthless in the kitchen,” her husband said affectionately. “Now, if you want to sit and keep your friends company as they cook, that’s another thing. Or if you want to go and grab a little nap while Beau’s down, I’ll keep an ear out for him.”

“You know, I’m going to do that very thing,” Harper said. “I’ve read when a baby naps, the mom should try to do the same. With so many people coming today, it would be nice to have a little extra energy to greet them after being up so much last night. See you ladies in an hour.”

They went to the large kitchen, where Aunt Jean actually allowed Braden to help with some prep since no guests had arrived early.

“The minute the first people come, this becomes my kitchen, Braden Clark,” Aunt Jean warned. “You need to play host and entertain your friends and look out for your wife and baby.” Her face softened. “Little Beau is simply an angel.”

Braden grinned. “I’m sure every new father feels like this, but I think he’s the best baby in the entire world. He’ll change a lot of things for us, but we’re so glad to finally have him here.”

“As long as I don’t catch wine in his bottle, I think you’ll be a great daddy,” Aunt Jean declared, causing both Braden and Reagan to chuckle.

Reagan had thought cooking for such a large group would be chaos— or at least controlled chaos —but her aunt was unflappable. She had a list posted on the fridge which detailed every dish being served. Beside each were times to start them on the stovetop or oven and when they would be finished, along with oven temperatures. Braden, being the chef he was, had a dream kitchen, with double ovens and warming trays galore, making their job easy.

Guests floated in and out of the kitchen, murmuring oohs and ahhs as they saw the various dishes. A few gave a little food advice, which tickled Reagan. Aunt Jean had predicted that very thing would happen and had told her niece to smile graciously and say thank you —and then ignore everything someone had recommended.

“The only people I might give a listen to would be Braden or Finley,” Aunt Jean had shared. “They both know their way around a kitchen. And notice they’re the only two who haven’t had advice for us.”

The men gathered in the den, watching the Detroit Lions, playing in the first NFL broadcast of the day. The women sat around the kitchen table for a time, taking turns holding an agreeable Beau. Eventually, Aunt Jean shooed them all out, and Reagan supposed they found a new spot to relocate, away from the football game.

Sophie Hardy returned to the kitchen now, holding her daughter, who had just turned one the week before. Her son came with her.

“Miss Jean, if you don’t mind, I’m going to feed the kids something. Waiting until two o’clock is too long for them to have lunch. I like keeping them on a schedule. Makes it easier for them and me, too.”

“I can give them some sliced turkey if you think they’ll eat that,” her aunt said.

“On a piece of bread would be great for my boy. He likes sandwiches. I’ll dice a little turkey for the baby. She’s just working on solids now. I did bring a few things for them to eat, as well.”

Sophie went to a cooler sitting in the corner and opened it. Since they were in a lull, Reagan and Aunt Jean joined the three at the table.

“Matt came home so excited the other night,” Sophie shared. “Not just for the wonderful songs he had heard, but the fact that he’d reconnected with Tucker.”

“I thought he might resent me since I wasn’t his sister,” Reagan admitted.

“Good heavens, no! Matt adored Josie, same as Tucker, but he knew Tucker was young and would need to move on with his life eventually. He’s just glad it’s with you, Reagan. That was a pretty bold move, contacting Matt out of the blue. He gets messages from his fans all the time. I’m the one who actually scrolls through his Instagram each day. I delete almost all of them. When I read your message mentioning Tucker by name, though, I knew it was the real deal.”

“Thank you for passing the message along to him,” she said. “It meant the world to Tucker that Matt was at the coffeehouse to hear him play.”

“I wish I could’ve been there, too, but the baby had an ear infection. I wasn’t going to leave her in the care of a sitter. All she wanted was for her mama to hold her. Matt did let me watch the recording your friend made, though. While I think Tucker’s written some great songs in the past, I can hear a greater level of maturity in his songwriting now.”

Once Ivy had sent what she had recorded to Tucker and the two of them had watched it together, she had encouraged him to forward it to Matt before they met again.

“Is Matt leaning toward any certain song?” she asked.

Sophie chuckled. “He loves them all. Actually, that’s usually a decision my husband allows me to make. I listen to all the demos he receives and give him advice on which ones I think will be hits and which ones he can use to fill an album, as well as the ones I think he should pass on. Matt has trusted my judgment over the years.”

“How long have you been married?”

“Going on eight years,” Sophie replied. “We knew we wanted kids, but Matt’s career hadn’t caught on when we first got married. We also didn’t want to be apart, especially since he was traveling so much then. He still has to, but the kids are young and flexible enough that we can take them along. That won’t last forever, though. Matt has just finished building a recording studio at the ranch, so he won’t have to go to Nashville to record any longer. He’ll still tour some, but as they get older, I’ll stay home with the kids when he does. We figure we have another couple of years where we can all be on the road together before it’s time to allow the kids to stay at home. They’ll have school and friends and sports by then.”

“Routine is important for kids,” Aunt Jean agreed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get busy again. You keep Sophie company another few minutes, Reagan. I’ll let you know when you’re back on duty again.”

A few minutes before two, Aunt Jean summoned Braden, telling him they were ready to eat. Braden called everyone into the den, and they stood in a large circle, holding hands, as their host offered up a prayer of thanksgiving, grateful for the friends and family who had gathered with them today, and especially for the miracle of Beau being a part of it.

Because they were such a large group, the guests had to split up. Some ate in the dining room, while others took their meal in the kitchen. Aunt Jean had told everyone they would eat their main meal where she assigned them. They would switch and have dessert afterward, so each would get to spend time with their hosts.

“You’re welcome to come back for seconds. Even thirds,” Aunt Jean declared. “Once the game starts, though, I’m off the clock and you’re on your own.”

Everyone laughed, and Braden told Aunt Jean she could have the seat of her choice at game time.

Tucker hung back, waiting for others to go through the buffet line, and then pulled Reagan along with him.

“Boy, you and Miss Jean outdid yourself. Everything looks and smells fabulous.”

They loaded their plates and joined their hosts in the dining room. She was proud of her contributions to this meal. For a moment, Reagan thought back to last Thanksgiving, where she had sat in her apartment, loneliness gnawing at her as she ate a meal of Chinese takeout from a carton. It was hard to believe the changes which had occurred in her life this past year, but none were as great as her relationship with the man sitting next to her.

Reagan reached under the table and clasped Tucker’s fingers. He turned to her and simply said, “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Tucker. I was thinking about last Thanksgiving and how sad and alone I was.”

“I don’t even remember where I was a year ago,” he admitted. “To me, one day blended into another. Until I found my way to you, love.”

They finished the meal, and Aunt Jean asked for her help in getting out the desserts for round two.

Tucker stood. “No, ma’am, I’m going to take charge now. You and Reagan just stay put.” He looked to Braden. “Come help.”

“With pleasure,” their host said, following Tucker into the kitchen.

Emerson stood, saying, “I’m the dessert gal. I think those two could use some supervision.”

Emerson had baked two pies each of pumpkin, pecan, and coconut, but she had also contributed a chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies to the gathering.

Soon, the guests switched tables, with Reagan and Tucker remaining with Braden and Harper in the dining room. Harper had awakened Beau from his latest nap. She held the baby in her arms as she took a bit of pecan pie, proclaiming it the best she had ever eaten.

When it was time for the game to start, Reagan wasn’t allowed in the kitchen for cleanup. Even though she wasn’t a huge football fan yet, she was beginning to understand and like the game, so she joined the others in the den to watch the first quarter. It was nice to have participated in cooking a meal for this large a group, but it was even nicer not having to scrub pots and pans.

At halftime, Aunt Jean said she was worn out and going to watch the rest of the game at home.

Tucker and Reagan volunteered to go home with her. A few others also left, close enough to make it back to their homes before the second half kicked off. Braden and Harper thanked them profusely, with Harper saying, “If you ever need a job beyond running your B&B, Miss Jean, I’ll always have a place for you at Weddings with Hart.”

“Hey, wait a minute,” Ry interjected. “Smokin’ Sweethearts is the business that’s booming. I may want to hire Miss Jean for the second food truck Tucker and I are purchasing.”

Reagan was pleased to hear Ry mention the truck. Tucker had told her of his idea to fund a second food truck with the money he had received from the accident. Ry had been more than agreeable, insisting Tucker become his partner and not merely an employee. The food truck had been ordered, and it would be ready in a couple of weeks.

“I’m seventy-five,” Aunt Jean told them. “Running this B&B is about all I can handle at my age. Maybe you can recruit Reagan here.”

They said their goodbyes and drove home, Reagan accompanying her aunt, Tucker following in his truck.

“It was a good day,” Aunt Jean said, satisfaction in her voice.

“A very good day,” Reagan seconded. “I may not need to eat until this time tomorrow because I’m so full.”

At the stoplight, her aunt turned to her. “I hope your life is full now, my darling girl. I see you with good friends who’ll be there for you in the years to come. I see you with a good man, one who is your perfect match. I’m so glad you left New York behind and came home to Texas.”

“I’m glad I had you to come home to, Aunt Jean. It’s been your love and support throughout the years which has meant the most to me.”

They reached the B&B, and her aunt said she was going to watch the rest of the game curled up in bed.

“All that cooking has worn me out. See you two tomorrow.”

She kissed her aunt’s cheek. “See you tomorrow.”

Reagan and Tucker settled in on the couch in the parlor, watching some of the game, which turned into a blowout. By the time the fourth quarter started and the Cowboys had a twenty-four-point lead, Tucker asked, “Want to turn off the game and go fool around?”

She smiled at him. “I thought you’d never ask.”