“Cecil’s harmless.” And as for those big Thanksgiving dinners, they’d pretty much been a thing of the past by the time he’d joined the family. But he’d heard about them—jovial, boisterous events. He’d seen pictures too—of the marquee tent and long tables, the Rinehart trio on their fiddles, and even a wooden dance floor.

Now the community dinner took place in town each Thanksgiving—sometimes in the square, sometimes in the high school gym. He usually stopped by, but never for longer than an hour or two. Not with Maggie waiting back home.

Up ahead, Sydney was helping Maggie spread a blanket over a stretch of sand and grass, Captain running circles around their feet. They’d spent the whole afternoon together after Indi dropped Sydney off at home after the meeting. No clue what they’d been up to all those hours but they sure looked happy together.

“Only two days and they’re already like peas in a pod.” Lilian’s gaze was glued on the two women, too, concern pinching her brow. “I can’t make myself feel good about her being here.”

Anymore, Neil didn’t know how to feel. He’d been skeptical from the start, but everything had changed with Sydney’s reaction to the treehouse. She’d caught his vision so effortlessly, her response to his plans filling him with a confidence he hadn’t even realized he needed. A gift, really. Surprising and energizing.

And then there was what Maggie had said this morning. She needs us.

And what he’d said. A sentiment that’d slipped free unbidden. Why would we need her, though? They were a happy, if non-traditional, family. Complete, he’d always thought.

But clearly Maggie hadn’t or she wouldn’t have spent all these years searching. When was the last time he’d seen her this lightened and lively?

He reached over to squeeze Lilian’s shoulder now as they neared the spot where Sydney and Maggie were setting up. “Maybe just try not to think about all that for the next couple of hours. This is Indi’s night. And it’s too nice out to spend it chewing on problems we can’t solve tonight.”

So warm, in fact, that a light jacket sufficed, no sign of this morning’s rain save a few wispy clouds lazing in the sky, their underbellies lit by the glowing orange of the sun leaning toward its slumber.

Lilian released a downcast sigh. “Indi’s night and yet she’s not even here for it.”

“She will be.” She was waiting back at the house for her fiancé to arrive.

“Do you really think this one’s for real, Neil? How many times has she told us she’s met someone? Countless. How many times have we actually met said someone?”

“Lil.”

“I love her and I would do anything for her, you know that. But she’s just so . . . Indi.”