Malone led a shell-shocked Ian to the couch. She’d warned him about the numbers, but not about how loud and lively the Byrds could get. Especially around the football game that was playing in the family room. She loved all the noise. The warmth from the fireplace. The smell of Peggy’s turkeys cooking in two big roasters. But most of all, she liked Ian’s hand holding hers as if he was afraid one of the Byrds might abduct her. How fast her near death had caused the two of them to change their priorities. God brought them to the end of themselves and then gave them the mercy to survive and realize what was important in their lives.

  Ian shifted on the couch, then shifted again.

  She looked at him. “Everything okay?”

  “It’s a lot to take in,” he said. “You said I should expect chaos, but it’s way more than what you described.”

  She slid closer to him so their legs touched in hopes of giving him some comfort. “I know you don’t have much family, but your parents had big parties, right?”

  He looked down at their legs and eased even closer to her. “Yeah, but our house was bigger, and the people were more reserved. Plus, I didn’t hang out with them much.”

  She didn’t like that her big, strong detective felt vulnerable, but she was glad she was there to help him. “Do you want to go?”

  “No. I’m fine. I just need to adapt to it.” He smiled at her, that smile that had a hint of a secret and promise just for her. “Besides, you want to be here, and I’ll do anything you want. Though I probably shouldn’t admit that.”

  “You say that now, but I’m sure there’s a line somewhere.”

  He shifted to face her and took her other hand. “Honestly, I’m so glad that we’re together that anything that’s not illegal or immoral—and I can afford without going into debt—it’s yours.”

  “If only we were alone right now.” She held his gaze. “I would be kissing you senseless.”

  “Okay, changed my mind. I want to go.” He laughed.

  They must’ve drawn Peggy’s attention because she came straight across the room to them with purpose in her step as she was drying her hands on her apron. “I wanted to take a moment to say how happy I am to see you two holding hands. I knew it was a match the moment I saw you together.” She pointed her focus at Ian. “And I’m especially glad you worked out whatever was in the way.”

  “Me too,” Ian said, sounding so sincere.

  “As am I.” Malone smiled up at Peggy. “So your work is done. All your children have found their life partners, and me too.”

  “Is it?”

  “What do you mean?” Ian asked.

  “I was thinking about the Steele girls. They’re all still single, and each of them are such a catch. They might need some help in that area.” A timer buzzed in the kitchen. “Their parents probably have that in hand, but you never know. I’ll give Iris and Rose a call next week.” Peggy wrinkled her nose. “Dinner’s almost ready. Got to get that pie out of the oven.”

  She hurried away.

  Malone chuckled. “She does love matchmaking.”

  “I should probably warn Londyn.”

  “I would if I were you.”

  They sat in silence for some time, just watching the family interact. Malone’s heart overflowed with the happiness in her brother’s life. He loved being a dad and being married to the amazing Sierra. God had given him his dream, even though Reed hadn’t known that a family was his dream.

  God could be doing the same thing for Ian. Maybe next year at this time, they would be married.

  Four-year-old Karlie came out of the kitchen and marched across the room, her adorable focus pointed their way. She tossed back her blond pigtails and fixed her big blue eyes on Ian. “I’m Karlie, and Nana said you were new here, so I’m s’posed to take you to the table.” She tilted her head. “It’s my ’sponsibility today. I’m almost five. How old are you?”

  Surprise flashed on Ian’s face. “Thirty-three.”

  Her eyes widened. “Wow! You won’t take my drumstick, right? The big kids say they get to have it, but Nana says it’s for me. She didn’t tell me if the old people would want it.”

  Ian held up a hand. “I promise not to touch it.”

  Karlie looked at Malone. “You promise too?”

  Malone gave a serious nod. “We’ll stay far away from it.”

  “We’re going to have pie too. Punkin with whip cream. I helped whip it. Nana says I’m going to be a good cook like her. I love Nana and want to be just like her when I grow up.” She lifted her arms above her head and stood on her tip-toes. “Then I’ll be this big.”

  Her expression turned serious, and her arms fell to her sides. “Nana wants you to find your places first ’cause you’re new. But don’t be afraid. I love all of my new family. Even if we keep getting new people. They’re nice, and I love them. I’ll love you, too, soon as I know you. C’mon.” She spun and skipped across the room.

  “Please tell me I don’t have to skip,” Ian whispered to Malone.

  She laughed. “That child is destined to have a job that involves public speaking and diplomacy.”

  Ian took Malone’s hand, and they crossed the room. Karlie skipped over to Brendan and grabbed his hand.

  He smiled at her and ruffled her hair. “What are you up to, little bit?”

  “Nana told me to bring them to dinner.” She pointed at Malone and Ian, then fixed her big eyes on Brendan. “He’s old, Daddy. Your age. That’s really old, right?”

  Ian snorted and looked like he was struggling to curtail a laugh.

  “It is.” Brendan chuckled.

  Karlie turned her focus on Malone and Ian again. “He’s my new daddy. He married Mommy. I love him too. Lots and lots.”

  Brendan scooped her up in his arms and planted a kiss on her cheek. “I love you, too, little bit.”

  She cupped the sides of his face and kissed him back. “He’s the best daddy. Even when he has to punish me ’cause I did something wrong. But I try not to. Sometimes it just happens.”

  Brendan opened his mouth to say something, but Peggy entered the room carrying a golden brown turkey on a large white platter. “Okay, everyone. Let’s get seated. Just look for your name card on the turkeys the children and I made.”

  Karlie squirmed down. “We get our own table with the turkeys we made from leaves. Not the ones from outside. Nana said those would be dirty, so she bought leaves from the store. They look real. I like them.”

  She bolted toward the card table set up with four place settings on an autumn tablecloth and colorful gourds in the center. Each setting had a small turkey with leaves for the plumage, an acorn head with googly eyes, and a walnut body. They held small name cards. A few other touches with felt and ribbon made them look very realistic. At least the ones at the grownup table did. The kids’ turkeys were much more free-formed.

  The Byrds’ three foster children scurried from the kitchen and took their seats too. Eight-year-old Willow helped two-year-old Sadie into a booster seat. Their brother Logan took a seat between them and Karlie. He was about the same age as Karlie, and Peggy had once said they were great friends. Malone smiled at how happy the Gentry children looked. She’d had a part in getting them away from their dysfunctional parents and bringing them together with the Byrd family a few months before.

  Thank You. What a blessed day that was. And thank You for Peggy’s and Russ’s big hearts for these children.

  Brendan looked at the kids’ table. “Our little chatterbox loves just about everything and expresses her love very vocally. I only wish kids came with a user manual. I’m either winging it, asking my wife, Jenna, or calling my mom. But I guess I’m doing okay. Karlie’s been with me for nearly a year, and I haven’t broken her yet, so there’s hope for me. Might even mean we’re ready for another one.”

  Jenna came up from behind him and slid under his arm. “Another one of what?”

  Brendan secured his arm around her shoulder. “I was just saying we might be ready for another child.”

  She cast a dreamy look up at her husband. “Definitely worth discussing.”

  “Maybe we should bail on dinner and discuss it in detail.” He winked at her.

  “And risk your mother’s disappointment. No way.” Jenna laughed.

  “Come on, people,” Peggy brought in the second turkey just as golden brown and perfect as the first. “Have a seat before the food gets cold.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Brendan saluted his mom, and she laughed.

  Brendan poked his thumb over his shoulder and looked at Malone. “I saw your name tags in the middle on the other side. My mom put you next to Drake and Natalie. I heard her say you’d likely be more comfortable since you’ve known Natalie for a while.”

  “Your mom really tries to think of everything, doesn’t she?” Ian asked.

  “Sometimes too much.” Brendan chuckled and took his wife’s elbow to direct her down the side of the long table.

  Ian, still clasping Malone’s hand, led them to their places. They passed Reed, who was holding Asher, and Malone gave the baby’s head a kiss.

  “Happy Thanksgiving,” she said to her brother and Sierra.

  Reed nodded, a contented look on his face. “We have a lot to be thankful for this year.”

  She squeezed Ian’s hand and looked up at him. “More than I could ever imagine.”

  “Mom’s giving me the stink eye,” Sierra said. “We can catch up after dinner.”

  They split up, and Malone made quick work of introducing Drake and Natalie after giving Natalie a hug.

  “The social worker,” Ian said to Natalie.

  “Correct.” Natalie smiled. “I bet it’s been a challenge to learn who everyone is.”

  He nodded.

  “Don’t let it overwhelm you. I thought it was going to be hard at first, but every single person in this family is welcoming. Even if the guys do still fight and tease like little boys.”

  “Hey now,” Drake grabbed her into a hug. “We just discuss things. Loudly.”

  Natalie rolled her eyes.

  “Sit!” Peggy called out again. “Please! You can catch up while eating.”

  Ian pulled Malone’s chair out. The Byrd boys had impeccable manners, so there was a lot of that going on around the table. Malone would expect nothing less from Peggy’s and Russ’s children.

  Russ stood to offer a prayer of thanks and a blessing for the food and for Peggy’s hard work in preparing it. The moment the prayer ended, he looked down the table. “I think it’s time for the youngest to get to carve the other turkey. Erik, will you do the honors?”

  Erik gave his fiancée, Kennedy, a smile, then hopped up to grab a knife and serving fork and held them up in triumph. “About time the second turkey is decently carved.”

  Clay rolled his eyes. “You might do better than everyone else, but no one will top my mad skills.”

  “I’m sorry I missed seeing that.” His wife, Toni, kissed Clay on the cheek.

  Clay grinned at her. “It was epic.”

  Drake snorted. “Says you and only you.”

  The brothers laughed and spouted off good-natured wisecracks.

  Peggy tsked. “You’d think no one taught you boys table manners. You can go ahead and eat.”

  The brothers shot out hands for serving bowls and plates. Instead of taking food for themselves, they offered it to their significant others first. Peggy and Jenna helped the children get their food, and Karlie reminded them twice about the drumstick.

  Once Russ had removed one from the turkey he was carving, Peggy put it on the child’s plate. “Think you can eat all of that, sweetie?”

  Karlie gave a solemn nod. “My other daddy never let me have it. He said my lame hands couldn’t hold it. But I can. See.” She picked up the drumstick and took a large bite.

  Malone leaned close to Ian. “Karlie has juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Her dad used to mock her when the poor thing couldn’t control her autoimmune disease.”

  “That’s cruel.”

  Malone nodded, tears wetting her eyes over how that man had treated this sweet little child. She was glad he was no longer in the picture. Not that she was happy he’d died, but at least Karlie had been spared that cruelty all her life. Karlie reminded Malone of how she’d always believed she had something to prove growing up. Hopefully, with Brendan on Karlie’s side, she would outgrow that need.

  Natalie held out a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes, and Malone took a generous helping. Plates were soon overloaded with food, and the room was quiet, save silverware clinking against china and the children giggling.

  “Ah,” Peggy said, still standing at the head of the table. “This is what a mother wants to hear. Her family enjoying their food.”

  “It’s great, as usual, Peg,” Russ said.

  Everyone murmured their agreement.

  “Anyone need anything before I sit,” she asked.

  “Just for you to enjoy your own food.” Russ got up and pulled out her chair, then kissed her cheek.

  “Before I do, it’s time to share what we’re thankful for this year. And what a year it’s been, so I’ll start by sharing my thanks for all the lovely young women who have joined our family. Some not officially yet, but I know it will happen. And for the faithful husband Reed has been to Sierra. And the blessing of children added to our family. All five precious little babies. Wow. My heart is full.”

  “I’m not a baby,” Willow called out, giving Peggy a fond look. “But I know what you mean.”

  Malone understood some of what this child was experiencing today. As a foster child, though it was clear Willow already deeply loved this family, she knew it was temporary. The Byrds couldn’t adopt the children, and neither could Natalie and Drake, who’d helped rescue them. No one could, not without their parents’ permission. Even though they were both in prison, neither would relinquish rights to the children.

  “I really can’t top Peg’s speech,” Russ said. “Except that I’m thankful for my continued health, and for my son’s generous gift of a kidney, which keeps me moving along.”

  Wine glasses with sparkling apple cider were raised to that and clinked.

  Peggy sat at the table. “Ian and Malone, since you are the newest members of our family, why don’t you go next?”

  Malone’s heart was full to brimming at having a family to call her own again, and she was too choked up to talk. She gestured at Ian to speak.

  “I…well…I’ve never done this before.”

  “Not once?” Karlie’s question came from the other table.

  “Not once.” He looked around the table, but no one seemed surprised or judgmental.

  Karlie hopped up and came to stand by Ian. “I can help if you need it ’cause we have something to be thankful for every day. That’s what Mommy says when we pray.”

  “I think I can handle it on my own, but thanks for the offer.”

  “See, you can be thankful for me.” She spun and rushed back to the table.

  Brendan and Jenna shared a what-are-you-gonna-do look.

  Ian cleared his throat and set his fork down. “I’m thankful for the beginning of a relationship with an amazing woman. And for God, showing me how wrong I’d been for years.”

  “God doesn’t care if we’re wrong,” Karlie said. “You just gotta ask for forgiveness and really mean it.”

  The table erupted in laughter, and Karlie looked baffled. Jenna got up and went over to whisper something to her daughter, and that smile was back in place as Karlie sat. “Sorry, everybody. I gotta be quiet now and eat so I can have pie.”

  This time the others held their laughter, but smiles abounded, and Malone felt her throat closing even more.

  Ian sat quietly for a moment, then added, “I’m thankful for the invitation to dinner and for being welcomed by such a wonderful family.” He looked expectantly at Malone.

  She had to get over herself and rescue this man again. “I’m thankful for the warm welcome too. And a great sister-in-law and for Reed and Sierra’s precious child. For their marriage, too, which I hope to emulate someday.” She looked at Ian. “And I’m thankful that God pointed out my wrong thinking. I can now look forward to building a strong relationship with this guy.” She tucked her arm in his and rested her head on his shoulder as cries of aw came from the women.

  “That was very special.” Peggy paused with a forkful of turkey held midair. “Who’s next?”

  “I’ll go,” Sierra said, and started talking about Asher.

  “This family really sets a great example,” Ian leaned close and whispered to Malone. “I still don’t know if I can live like they do, but it’ll help to see selfless love in action like this.”

  “They’re not like this all the time,” Malone said. “They have their differences and squabble like all families do. But their faith and love always win out. Or Peggy does.” Malone giggled quietly.

  Ian turned toward Malone. “We’ve never talked about having kids.”

  “Something we need to do.”

  “But you want them?”

  “I do.” She looked at him. “What about you?”

  “I didn’t think I did, but now, with you? Yeah, I think I do. I just wish what Brendan said earlier was true. You know, about a user’s manual.” He stared at Reed, who was holding Asher. The baby was too young for a high chair, and he was grabbing for everything on the table. “I think it’d be helpful.”

  “But look at Reed,” Malone said. “He never had any experience with children before Asher. And the baby might be challenging Reed right now, but look at the peace in Reed’s eyes. He loves being a dad, and he had a lot of reservations at first. You just have to take it one day at a time and have Google, or better yet, Peggy on speed dial.”

  Malone laughed, and Ian smiled.

  “Reed does look pretty content.” Ian leaned closer. “So I guess it’s one day at a time. I can do that. Especially with you and God by my side.”

  “And don’t forget, when things get difficult, we can fly the coop for a few hours. We’ll have a whole flock of Bryds to babysit.”

  Thank you so much for reading Night Prey. If you’ve enjoyed the book, I would be grateful if you would post a review on the bookseller’s site. Just a few words is all it takes. Click or tap HERE and you will jump to the right place to post your review.