Free Take Two by Karen Kingsbury

“Unless
     that one’s already taken.”
    Everyone laughed, and the round of thanks began. Bailey was glad for the distraction. People quickly moved from being thankful
     for God and family and friends and food to specific things — the success of the local crisis pregnancy center, the way the
     Colts were coming together for Bailey’s dad, and her brother Shawn’s
A
on a recent biology test. Bailey felt her phone receive another text message just as her turn arrived. She ignored it. “I’m
     thankful for my roommate, Andi. She’s sort of like a sister, and I’m grateful for that.”
    Finally it was Cole’s turn. He thought for a long moment, clearly struggling to think of an answer. Finally he threw his hands
     in the air. “Okay, fine. I’m thankful for Maddie.”
    “Thank you, Coley.” Maddie folded her hands on the table and gave her cousin a satisfied smile. “I’m thankful for you too.”
    Again everyone laughed, and conversations broke out all around. Bailey poked her fork around in her peas and mashed potatoes,
     but all she could think about was the text waiting for her. Even during a regular dinner, her parents didn’t like them texting.
     Today that would be especially true. She ate a few bites of turkey and set her fork down.
    “You okay?” Her mom’s smile was full of compassion.
    As usual, she could read Bailey’s heart and mind even though nothing had been said about the text messages. Bailey shrugged
     one shoulder. “Cody texted me.”
    “And?” With so many people talking around the room no one listened to them.
    “Wished me a Happy Thanksgiving.” She sighed. “I told him I missed him, and instead of saying he missed me, too, he just asked
     me how Tim was.”
    Her mom gave her a sympathetic smile. “Maybe he’s being smart.”
    “How?”
    “He’s making you think about your decisions.” She put her arm around Bailey’s shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Look
     who you’re sitting here thinking about.”
    Her mom had a point. But was Cody’s silence really deliberate? With all the time he spent talking to Andi, it seemed like
     only a slight possibility. “Maybe he’s interested in Andi. He doesn’t want me missing him, when I’m supposed to be thinking
     about Tim. You know …” She met her mom’s eyes. “So I don’t do something stupid like start liking him again.”
    “I don’t think so.” Her mom picked up her knife and fork and cut a bite of turkey.
    “You seem so sure.”
    “I am sure.” Confidence shone in her eyes. “I saw how he looked at you that day at our house. He adores you, Bailey. No matter
     what you decide, I think maybe he always will.”
    Bailey hung onto that thought.
    When dinner was over, everyone worked together clearing the tables and loading Katy and Dayne’s two dishwashers. Bailey was
     helping her mom and Ashley place ten pies along the granite kitchen bar when the doorbell rang. Dayne answered it, and Bailey
     watched from where she worked as Tim Reed stepped inside. He and Dayne talked for a minute, the way they always did when they
     saw each other. Tim had been one of the first CKT kids Dayne met, and the two shared a special friendship. Dayne was a sort
     of mentor for Tim, which was a great situation for a lot of reasons.
    Their conversation gave Bailey the chance to watch Tim from a distance. He was taller than back in his CKT days, and handsome
     in a polished sort of way. He loved God and he fit in well with Bailey’s friends and family.
Why, then
, she asked herself as she pulled three pie servers from a drawer and set them on a napkin,
aren’t you head over heels for that guy?
    She had no answers.
    Tim finished talking with Dayne and crossed the room to the kitchen. He smiled when he saw her, but she wasn’t sure his eyes
     actually lit up. Not the way she would’ve liked. “Hey … Happy Thanksgiving.” He gave Bailey a quick hug as he studied the
     pies. “Looks like I got here just in