Chapter 2

John Harding tried to focus on the beauty of the November afternoon. It was unseasonably warm, with the temperature in the low seventies. The sky was a brilliant blue. It made a perfect backdrop for the red, gold, and orange leaves on the trees.

Thanksgiving was always a pain in the ass for him. A reminder of what he had lost. Of course, there were blessings too. He was going to spend some time with his son, his daughter-in-law, and his grandson. Otherwise, he would have been perfectly happy watching football with a pizza and a six-pack.

This year was different though.

Percy and Laura, the new managers of the only bed-and-breakfast in town, wanted to celebrate the arrival of her baby girl with a Thanksgiving gathering, with real china, silver, and a mouth-watering meal prepared by Tony, the chef of the local restaurant and Red’s business partner. The dinner was taking place at Molly Carter’s bed-and-breakfast inn where Percy and Laura were living.

John let out a long, resigned sigh. He had nothing against Molly, except for the fact that he was pretty sure his daughter-in-law was trying to hook him up with her. Kat had been dropping hints every time he went to the restaurant to have lunch.

None of them knew Molly and him had a history together.

John entered the inn dressed in his best clothes, and greeted everyone cordially, including Molly.

When it was Kat’s turn, John held her hand and said, “Come sit down with an old man, sweetie.”

She smiled at her father-in-law and sat at his side. “You’re not old, Dad.”

Kat loved to drop the ‘in-law” part. Her real father had been an abusive drunkard who had beaten her mother to death. He was rotting in jail now. John Harding had been more of a father to her than her biological one.

“You look happy, Kat.”

“I am happy, Dad.” Her heart expanded in her chest.

“Red is a very lucky man to have you in his life.”

“I’m the lucky one. Red saved me. He and Red junior are my life. You too, Dad.”

John smiled at her, “I’ve dreaded every family celebration since my divorce, but since you came into our lives you have turned them into something special. I know this one won’t be an exception.”

Kat smiled at her father-in-law squeezing his hand.

“I get what you mean, Dad. Growing up, the holidays were always stressful for me too,” Kat said, shaking her head to get rid of the unpleasant memories. She smiled at John, “I’m happy now. Very happy.”

John hugged his daughter-in-law and squeezed her tight in a bear hug.

“You deserve happiness too, Dad. You’ve been alone too much time.”

John tensed up at her words.

“So this is what this Thanksgiving gathering at the inn is all about? Are you trying to hook me up with Molly?”

As usual, her father-in-law went straight to the point. There was no beating around the bush with John Harding.

She batted her eyes and said, “Maybe. Molly’s a fine woman. It’s time for you to move on and leave the past in the past, Dad,” Kat added in a sweet voice.

“Easier said than done, I’m afraid. It’s hard to move on when the person you married, falls in love with another man, cheats on you for months, and leaves you and your son, looking for ... well, whatever my slut ex-wife was looking for.”