Lucy leaned back on the living-room couch and closed her eyes, absently petting Bandit. She tried not to be sad. This was Jesse’s first Thanksgiving with Sean, and she wanted it to be memorable. Dillon’s flight was delayed, he and Kate would be here later this morning. Kane and Siobhan were driving up from Hidalgo right now and would be here in a couple hours. They were supposed to be here yesterday but changed plans. She’d already talked to her mom and dad, who were going to Connor and Julia’s house for the holiday, along with Carina and Nick and JP.

She was really sad that Patrick wasn’t coming. Sure, she understood that Elle’s work was important, but so was family. And every time Patrick was going to come out for a visit, something in Elle’s life stopped him. The only time he’d been out here was for her wedding, and she absently thought that if Elle had had an emergency he would have bowed out of that, too.

That’s not fair, Lucy.

Maybe Lucy was a little bit jealous. She and Patrick had been so close for so long, and now they rarely talked. Patrick and Sean had once been best friends, but now when they talked it was about work.

Truly, though, it was the distance. If she’d stayed in DC, she and Patrick wouldn’t have grown apart.

Sean sat down next to her and kissed her. “Don’t look sad.” He put his arms around her and kissed the back of her neck. “Eating is delayed only a couple hours.”

“I know. Just … melancholy. Though you bought far too much, we’re going to be eating leftovers for weeks.”

“They’ll be delicious leftovers.”

Sean had taught himself how to cook, which was a relief to Lucy because she wasn’t good in the kitchen and she didn’t really want to learn. But last week he’d ordered a full Thanksgiving feast from a Texas BBQ, and it had been delivered at two. All they had to do was warm it up and set up the buffet. But he’d ordered for twenty people—wishful thinking on his part.

Lucy needed to be grateful for what she did have and the people who could visit for the holiday. They had friends, Sean’s brother Kane only lived a few hours away, and maybe she would have to make a bigger effort to visit family.

“Nate and Jesse are having an intense battle at the pool table,” Sean said. “And I think Jess might actually win this one.”

“He’s been practicing for months,” Lucy said. “He’s competitive, just like his father.” She smiled. Jesse had been a blessing in their lives, and she loved him more every day.

Their security system beeped a few seconds before the doorbell rang.