Better Than Pumpkin Pie is a follow-up story for Ryan & Tessa from “Summer On The Ropes” which you can read more about here.
The screen door squeaked and slammed behind Tessa as she stepped onto the front porch, desperate for some fresh air and a break from explaining her boyfriend’s absence to her entire extended family.
“I was wondering when you’d make your way out here.” A small voice came from the dark corner.
Tessa smiled. “I should have known you’d already be here.”
Her grandmother smiled and patted the seat next to her.
“I just needed a minute of peace.” Tessa said
“I thought you might.” Gran smiled and handed her a slice of pumpkin pie.
“Where did you get this?”
Gran winked. “I’ll never tell.”
Tessa smiled, her grandmother was the only one in the family who could sneak a piece of pumpkin pie before dinner. Tessa had already tried earlier that morning and had been shooed away by her mother and three aunts.
They sat in silence while Tessa ate her treat, willing the sugar to ease her aching heart.
“Looks like you’ve got a case of the Thanksgiving blues.” Gran said.
Tessa patted her grandmother on the hand. “I’m sorry, it’s just I was hoping. . .” She sighed. “I was hoping Ryan would be here.”
Gran nodded and gave her a small smile. “You know, sometimes when I’m feeling sorry for myself —”
“I am not feeling sorry for myself!” Tessa interrupted. Except, even as she said it she realized it wasn’t entirely true. She’d been moping around all day like a toddler who’d had a favorite toy taken away.
“— I like to take a minute,” Gran continued, ignoring Tessa’s outburst, “and name all the things I’m grateful for.”
Tessa let out a long sigh. Maybe Gran was right. Maybe a little gratitude would pull her out of this funk and help her focus on the blessings in her life, including her boyfriend of four months, Lieutenant Ryan Wilson.
Since they’d met over the summer — when he rescued her from the side of a mountain — their relationship had blossomed into something truly incredible. Something that Tessa could see going the distance. Marriage, kids, gray hair & rocking chairs, the whole nine yards.
She’d hoped to use Thanksgiving as a chance to get her family’s insight, and stamp of approval. It had taken everything in her not to cry when he’d called her three days ago to break the news that he wouldn’t be able to make it to Thanksgiving.
“It helps if you say your blessings out loud.” Gran said, patting Tessa on the hand. Then she retreated inside the warm house, leaving Tessa to herself on the porch.
Tessa placed her now empty pie plate on the table beside her and closed her eyes. Somehow, she felt this situation might be slightly less embarrassing if she couldn’t see.
“I am grateful for my family.” Tessa shifted in her seat. “I am grateful for my job.” She cleared her throat and spoke a little louder. “I’m grateful for my friends, and pumpkin pie, and—”
“I don’t even rank above pumpkin pie?” A deep voice spoke and Tessa shrieked.
“Ryan?” She asked.
He stepped forward into the dim light of the porch, a wide grin made his green eyes sparkle. “Hi, sweetheart.”
His deep, soothing voice made her heart do a happy dance. His warm timber had been one of the first things she noticed about Ryan. His calm demeanor and reassuring words as he’d talked her down the side of the mountain that summer day had made one of the scariest moments of her life a little more bearable. Even now, she loved listening to his voice at night, whispering sweet nothings into the phone as she drifted off to sleep.
Tessa didn’t think, she leapt into his arms and peppered his face with kisses. Ryan’s strong arms wrapped around her, lifting her as he spun her in a circle, then gently placed her back on solid ground. She relished the way he held her, likeshe was the most precious thing in the world.
“Are you happy to see me?” He teased.
“How are you here?” Still in disbelief that he was standing in front of her, she gripped his arms tightly, almost as if she thought if she let go he would simply disappear.
“That’s classified.” He winked. “ Let’s just say I wasn’t going to miss our first holiday together. Plus, I had a special message to deliver.”
“And what is that?”
He leaned in close, lips pressed to that tender spot against her neck, just below her ear. Whiskers scratched against her cheek. His fresh scent wrapped around her. It made Tessa a little dizzy and it was all she could to keep herself upright in his arms.
“I love you, Tessa,” he whispered.
Then he kissed her, slow and sweet. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her close. Tessa felt as if she could melt right there on her parents’ front porch. This man, he was her future, he was what she was most grateful for this Thanksgiving day.
When they pulled away, tears began to fall as she whispered, “I love you, too, Ryan.”
He smiled and wiped her tears. Pulled her close and held her for a long time.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Tessa whispered into his sweater. “I think my family thinks I’m making you up.”
Ryan laughed and led her toward the house. “Then we better do something about that.”
An hour later Tessa’s cheeks hurt from smiling. Her family had welcomed Ryan with open arms and he’d answered all of their questions with the patience of a saint.
When the family was called to dinner Tessa grabbed Ryan’s hand and led him in the opposite direction.
“I hope wherever you’re taking me has pie,” he said.
Without a word, she guided him into the small study at the front of the house, shut the door and raised up on her toes to kiss him.
He wrapped his strong arms around her waist, lifting her slightly, and she poured every ounce of passion and emotion into her kiss. Telling him with her actions —not just her words— how much she loved him. And how grateful she was to have him there by her side.
“What was that for?” Ryan asked when they pulled apart. The heated look he gave her made her slightly weak in the knees.
“Because I’m grateful for you.”
Ryan furrowed his brow. “Do I rank above pumpkin pie?”
“Hmm,” she tapped her chin, “that’s a close one.”
“Let’s see if I can improve my rating.” When he kissed her again, Tessa couldn’t help but think he was definitely better than pumpkin pie.
