Eric stared after him, a strange lump in his throat.
* * *
Vic reached over, took Eric’s hand. “I am grateful for my husband. I’m grateful for my home. I’m grateful for my new life. I’m grateful for good friends. I’m grateful that my father and brother came all the way out here to spend our first Thanksgiving together with us. I’m grateful that I don’t forget things all the time now.”
It was her father’s tradition each Thanksgiving to share reasons for feeling gratitude, and it was a tradition she was happy to keep.
“I guess it’s my turn.” Robin looked over at her son. “I am grateful for my son and his wonderful, beautiful wife. I have a new daughter, and I love her. She’s brought so much joy to our lives. Everyone in Scarlet loves her. I’m grateful for my continued health and the health of my loved ones.”
Eric gave his mother’s hand a squeeze. “Well, this is easy. I am grateful to be alive and to share my life with you, Victoria. You are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I will be grateful for every single day we have together. I’m grateful for the mother who loves me, for the food on our table, for the roof over our heads, and for the new family I’m just getting to know.”
She saw his gaze meet her father’s, an understanding passing between them. What had they talked about when they’d been getting wood? They’d been out there for a while.
James put down his wine. “Let’s see... I’m grateful third-quarter sales figures were higher than we thought they’d be. I’m grateful that the old bag upstairs from me is moving out and taking her two yappy dogs with her. I’m grateful that my sister met a good guy and that they got married in Vegas so that I didn’t have to go to a wedding. I’m just kidding. I’m grateful that you’re happy, Vic.”
Then it was her father’s turn. “I’m grateful that my daughter is safe and alive and whole. I’m grateful for the good man she married. I’m grateful for the time we’ve been able to spend together. I’m grateful that I’m able to give them this wedding gift.”
He placed a small brown envelope in the center of the table. “Go ahead. Open it.”
Vic reached out, picked up the envelope, and opened it to find two keys inside. “What are these for?”
Her father smiled. “Look at the tags.”
There was an address written on them.
“That’s our address. Wait. No, it’s not.” Blood rushed to Vic’s head. “It’s … Oh, my God! You bought the house! You bought the property!”
She jumped out of her chair, ran around to the side of the table, and hugged him. “Thank you!”
“What?” Eric took the keys from her, stared at the address, then looked up at her father. “Holy fucking shit!”
For a moment, she thought he might faint.
He gaped at her father. “Pardon my French, but the property was listed for…”
More than two million dollars.
Vic had looked. She’d decided not to buy it because it would have come close to emptying her trust fund. Besides, she’d been happy in the cabin.
“It’s yours now—the house, the property, this cabin. You can live here and rent the big house out. You can live there and keep this as a man cave. Robin, you could live here, closer to your son.”
Robin blinked back tears. She reached out, took his hand, and gave it a squeeze. “That’s quite a wedding present. Forgive my son. I’m sure he’ll remember his manners when the shock wears off.”
Eric seemed to have recovered—mostly. “Thank you, sir. We’re both grateful.”
James reached for the potatoes. “Now that that’s out of the way, let’s eat.”
* * *
As soon asthey were alone, Eric and Victoria climbed into his pickup and drove through the falling snow to see their new house.
“How much do you think your dad had socked away for your wedding?”
“I think I remember him saying it was close to a million.”
A laugh burst from Eric’s throat. “A million dollars? For awedding?”
He’d thought Lexi and Austin had been nuts when they’d spent ten grand.