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stone fire pit, where Jasper had promised the family would repose later that night to roast marshmallows and tell stories. Ariana couldn’t have imagined a more perfect way to end a perfect day.
    “Well, Jessie, if the one in your belly’s half as much of a hoot as that one, things are about to get a heck of a lot livelier around here,” Mr. Montgomery said, lifting his bushy eyebrows.
    Jessica blew out her cheeks and ran her hand over her bump. “Well, she doesn’t stop kicking me, so I think we’re in for it.” Everyone laughed lightly. Ariana felt Mrs. Montgomery’s eyes on her cheek and looked down at her untouched pecan pie. “You’ve been rather quiet since dinner was cleared, Ana,” Jasper’s mother said. “Is everything all right?”
    “Oh, yes. Of course. anks,” Ariana said, coloring slightly. She felt the warm glow of the taper candles on her face. “It’s just … it’s been a long time since I’ve had a real family Thanksgiving.”
    Ariana watched as the members of Jasper’s family exchanged wary looks. She knew instantly that they had discussed Briana Leigh’s history and that, quite possibly, Jasper had warned them against saying anything that might make her uncomfortable or sad.
    Just like Jasper.
    “What did you and your folks used to do for Thanksgiving?” Jessica asked.
    Her mother shot her a warning look, but Ariana suddenly realized she wouldn’t mind reminiscing about her parents a bit. Usually she refused to let herself even think about them, but something about today had put her in a nostalgic mood, and she felt safe among Jasper’s family.
    “I didn’t have a huge extended family, but my mother always invited over all the neighbors,” Ariana said. “Anyone who didn’t have a place to go was welcome at our house.”
    “That sounds nice,” Jacqueline said. “Like what Thanksgiving’s really supposed to be about.”
    “It was nice,” Ariana said with a soft smile. “e only thing I didn’t like was that my mother didn’t cook that night. She always hired in. I understand why—she wanted to be able to spend time
    with us instead of in the kitchen—but she was an amazing cook. She used to make this rosemary garlic chicken with mashed potatoes and southern biscuits from scratch. That was always my favorite meal growing up.”
    “Now you’re making me hungry again,” Sherman joked, patting his flat stomach with his free hand. Everyone laughed and Ariana blushed. “Sorry. I’m rambling.”
    “Not at all, Ana,” Mrs. Montgomery said with a kind smile, her coiffed blond hair so full of product, it sat motionless as she nodded at Ariana. “And I want you to know that as much as I’m sure you miss your family, we’re all very happy to have you here.”
    “Jazz calls me to brag about you, like, every day at school,” Jacqueline informed her with a smile. “He’s annoying the heck out of my roommate.”
    Ariana’s chest inflated with happiness. Until recently, she had no idea Jasper’s sisters even knew she existed. It meant a lot that he spoke to them about her so often. Mr. Montgomery cleared his throat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the pristine white tablecloth.
    “I remember reading about your father’s death at the time,” he said, pressing his hands together. “Awful business. Awful business.” “Yes,” Ariana said, casting her eyes down again.
    “I hope they put away the psycho that did it,” he said. “Thurston!” Mrs. Montgomery scolded.
    “What? I’m just offering my support!” he said, turning his massive palms up.
    “It’s okay,” Ariana said, slowly stirring her coffee and trying as hard as she could not to grin. “Let’s just say she was properly punished.”
    She thought of Kaitlynn Nottingham rotting in the cold hard ground behind the Greene’s Washington mansion and fancied the real Briana Leigh and her father would agree.
    “Good. I’m always gratified to hear that justice was served,” Mr. Montgomery