“It’s okay Mama, I know you want tomorrow to be perfect. It will be.” Nora leaned over and kissed her mother’s cheek, tasting bits of flour. “I’m going to bed.”

“Thank you.” Eloise patted her hand.

Nora puffed up her pillow and scooted up in the bed. She was worried about her mother. Deep down, she knew it had to do with Major Hawkins. Why didn’t Mama follow Lisa’s advice? It was too soon to get involved with anyone after Sam. Nora was happy now without a man in her life. Can’t Mama leave it alone?

Thursday afternoon, the doorbell rang at one forty-five. “That has to be Lisa,” Eloise uttered as she lifted the turkey out of the oven.

“I’ll get it, Mama,” Nora called back as she opened the front door. It wasn’t Lisa. Major Hawkins and Matt stood there. “Oh, you’re early, I thought Mama told you dinner was at two. Come in, she’s in the kitchen.” She never heard her mother come up behind her.

“Don’t be rude, Nora,” Eloise intervened. “We’re happy you’re here.”

“Smells delicious!” Major Hawkins inhaled the tantalizing aromas while he handed Eloise a bouquet of carnations and baby’s breath arranged in an elegant crystal vase.

“How lovely, thank you.” Eloise smiled at Major Hawkins and Matt. “Nora, please put them on the dining room table.”

“Sure, Mama.” Nora obeyed, putting the vase in the middle of the table which was completely set with everything in place. She knew her mother had been up since six, not stopping until the doorbell just rang. Ten minutes later, Lisa arrived to take over and orchestrate the dinner. Nora decided Lisa was her savior, as her mother now seemed preoccupied with entertaining Major Hawkins.

Still, Nora had to admit this was the best Thanksgiving she could remember. The dinner went well, with scrumptious turkey, stuffing, and all the other fixings. At the end of the meal, Nora served pumpkin pie a-la-mode and coffee. She had fun listening to Matt banter back and forth with Major Hawkins; they were funny. During a lull in the conversation, Nora turned to Matt. “Why didn’t you bring Miss Marshall? You two look cute together. Besides, I can tell you like her.”

“Nora, don’t be impolite, asking Matt such a question. You should apologize,” Eloise chided her daughter.

Matt laughed. “Nora’s fine. I don’t mind answering her question. I do like Miss Marshall, but we’re just friends. I believe she has other plans for today.”

“Well I just wondered. I like her too and wished she could have come.” Nora gave Matt a knowing smile—he wasn’t fooling her.