Yup, he was right. She had a huge bruise on her forehead. Her hands and arms were covered in blood and she was missing her jacket. And something was wrong with her hair.

"Are you all right?" He gently placed his fingers on her face to move it so he could get a better look at the b.u.mp on her head. He then ran his hands over her arms and found the source of the blood.

"I'm fine now. Sorry I'm late."

"Screw being late. I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No! Really, I'm fine. The blood is dried and I don't want to cause a scene."

"Sparky, no matter what, you are going to cause a scene. Now tell me what happened, and quickly, before they get impatient." He directed his eyes to his family who were all staring at them intently.

"I got locked in my office. The electricity was cut and a cell phone jammer was placed outside the door. I broke the window and crawled out, hence the blood and missing hair. I went down the hall to try the light switch when I heard a noise behind me. Before I could turn around, I got smashed over the head and fell headfirst into the lockers. I saw a figure in the distance but not enough to have any kind of description. I gave chase and found an empty parking lot, and that is why I was late to dinner."

Cade's heart didn't slow down after her explanation. Who would do this to her? "Do you think your cover is blown?"

"No. I don't know what this was about, but it didn't feel like it had to do with the case. The agency is checking it out for clues now."

"Are you all coming in?" he heard his mother ask.

"Sorry, Ma, but Annie had a little accident." That excused everything, and the family rushed down the steps, his mother leading the way.

"Oh, bless your heart! Are you hurt? What happened?" his mother questioned as she hurried toward a wide-eyed Annie.

"I was carrying too much stuff and tripped on some loose gravel in the parking lot. I'm afraid I went head first into my car."

Cade tried to hide his smile at her explanation. It was a good one, and it had his mother and Paige ushering her inside to get fixed up. All awkward greeting was now pushed aside. His mother was in her zone. Having six kids, she became something of an unflappable nurse.

Annie's head was spinning, and not because of the whole being bashed over the head thing. It was spinning at the conversation going around the table. She had learned the whole family history and even some about the black sheep of the family, Cy, who apparently only showed up every now and then.

She had been fussed over, bandaged up, and then plied with homemade food by Mrs. Davies, who insisted on being called Marcy, or in a not so subtle hint, Mom. Pierce was trying his hardest to interrogate her but was failing miserably. Cole was trying to run interference. Marshall and Miles were trying to intimidate, and Mr. Davies sat by quietly eating his food, watching everything.

Every now and then she would swear Cade was cursing and planning the downfall of his brothers. She found it all very strange, very chaotic, and very comfortable. So, this was what it was like to have a family. She liked it very much and was quite envious.

"So, dear, are you going to be spending Thanksgiving with your family?" Marcy asked from the head of the table.

"Thanksgiving?" Annie repeated. She never celebrated Thanksgiving. She couldn't cook and was always alone, so it never seemed important.

"You know, the holiday that's on Thursday where you traditionally eat turkey and stuffing and lots of dessert and watch football," Pierce joked.

"Pierce," his mother whispered harshly. "Ignore him. Now tell us about your family. Are they are in Florida?"

"Um, I really don't have much of a family. My mother died when I was ten, and I was raised in a series of foster homes," Annie stated matter-of-factly. People often got upset when she told her story, but to her it was the only thing she knew.

"No family! Oh, bless your heart! Everyone should have a family. No father, or grandparents?" Marcy exclaimed as she placed her delicate hand over her heart.

"I don't know who my father was. I don't think my mother knew either. My grandparents are dead. I have, or had, an aunt in Louisville, but haven't heard from her since she refused to take me after my mother died. I heard from a cousin, Chrystal Sharp, but I'm not too keen on family who only want me to fill out a family tree." She took a deep breath and plastered on her 'I'm okay with it' smile. "That's why I didn't realize Thanksgiving was this week."

"Well then, you will simply join us for Thanksgiving. Cade, you pick her up at noon. We'll be your family and that's that."

"Marcy, you don't...." Annie started to say she didn't have to do that. It hardly bothered her anymore to be alone on holidays.

"Enough. You're coming. You're family. Now, Marshall, what's this business about your wanting to run for sheriff?"

Annie hid her smile behind her napkin. The table had s.h.i.+fted all of its attention away from her and to Marshall. Marshall in return stared at his mother in disbelief.

"How did you know that? I didn't tell anyone."

"Mothers always know these things. Just like I knew every time one of you snuck out of the house. So, tell us about your decision to leave the private security practice and going into public service."

"I haven't decided yet. I just found myself wanting something different. I am getting tired of doing the same thing day after day- installing security systems, providing protection for celebrities coming to town, and so on."

"Well, you sure don't have my vote."

"Miles!" Marcy gasped.

"I was just kidding, Ma. I think it would be a wonderful thing. The sheriff is getting rather old and has been pretty sick recently. Some new blood never hurts. And think of all the potential women he could get when wearing his uniform."

"That's it, Miles Jackson Davies. No dessert!" Marcy reached over and grabbed the slice of pumpkin pie sitting in front of him. Annie watched in disbelief that this big, serious, tough guy hung his head and pouted when his mother took his dessert away. Marcy might not look like it, but she was a force to be reckoned with.

Annie loved when she stayed at Cade's house. His king-size bed was so much better than her little twin one. She pulled the sheets up to cover herself as she curled up against Cade's warm body.

"About Thanksgiving," Cade started.

"Yes?"

"Well, my parents eat pretty early, and Dani and Mo are having an open house party that evening. I know it would be a long day, but I would love it if you came with me to their house after dinner with my family."

"Sure, that sounds like fun," she agreed as he turned off the light and wrapped her up in his arms. After a couple of minutes she heard his breathing slow and she knew he was asleep.

The bed on her side dipped and Justin crawled over to her. He rested his head near her pillow, gave her a wet kiss, and wagged his tail. Her two boys. Her family. The thought rocked her to her core. She had lived most of her life thinking she never wanted a family, never needed a family, but not after tonight. Tonight showed her what she could have: a loving husband, interfering in-laws, brothers, sisters, children and even a dog.

She could see herself in this house filled with noise and love. She had lived in silence too long. She finally knew what she wanted in life. She wanted the dream, and she wanted it with Cade Davies. d.a.m.n, what was she going to do now?

Chapter Nineteen.

Annie looked in wonder at the mansion in front of them. There were BMW's parked alongside pick-up trucks and Buicks that were older than she was. All the wings of the mansion were lit up and it looked like something out of a fairytale.

"Wow!" Annie couldn't think of any other word to describe it.

"I know. But, after you meet Mo it won't look nearly so ostentatious. He's really laid back unless he needs to cut some red tape."

"I only met him for a second, but he seemed really nice." Annie thought back to her first week in Keeneston and snickered. "Actually, the Roses wanted to set me up with Ahmed when I first moved here."

"Really? Well, I know who we're avoiding tonight," Cade said as he parked the car next to a large, blue tank of a car from the seventies. Annie shook her head. "Oh, you think I'm joking. No, ma'am. If Ahmed decides he wants you, he would just kill me and take you."

Annie laughed as they walked up the steps toward the party. They entered through the open doors into a huge foyer. Marble floors, antiques, crystal chandeliers, and priceless artwork hung on the walls. When she looked closer, she saw family snapshots on table tops and other little homey touches throughout the area.

"Oh, there you are! We were hoping you'd come." The Rose sisters bustled over to them, dressed in their finest floral dresses and matching hats.

"Why, I have never seen such beautiful women. How are you ladies doing tonight?" Cade kissed their cheeks and grinned down at them before Miss Daisy smacked him on the arm.

"Don't you be sweet talkin' me in front of your girlfriend. She might decide you're a rascal and not marry you."

"Howdy, ma'am, Cade," a tall, wiry man with slicked back light brown hair said. He was handsome in his black suit and tanned skin.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Noodle. How are your parents?" Cade asked. Holy cow! She didn't even recognize him!

"They're doing well. They are walking around here somewhere. Have you had any more problems, Miss Hill?"

"No, thank you, deputy." She smiled at him before Cade started talking fis.h.i.+ng with him. She decided to go walk around some and see more of the house while they were discussing baits and lures.

The sitting room was packed with people. She recognized most of them, even if she couldn't remember their names. They all waved or stopped her to say a couple of words to her as she made her way to the bar set up on the far side of the room.

"Annie," a smooth voice encompa.s.sed her.

"Your highness?"

His eyes gleamed as he silently laughed at her. His manners were way too good for him to actually laugh out loud. "Just call me Mo. Everyone else does."

"Oh, well, thank you, Mo, for inviting me."

"You're part of the town too. Danielle talks very highly of you. I hoped you and Cade would join us for dinner soon."

"I'd like that. Thank you." He was so different from Cade, but they both had the same kindness. Cade exuded power through his quiet strength. Mo exuded power through his bearing.

Annie talked with Mo until he was cornered by Pam Gilbert to discuss fundraising for new school computers. Annie quietly excused herself and continued through the room. She was enjoying her time on the outskirts of the room as she watched the people of this small community talking and laughing.

Just the sight of the whole town dressed up and happily chatting away made her want to belong. She had a man she loved, in a town that welcomed her. She even kind of had Justin and the Davies family.

An older, portly fellow with black pants, dark orange dress s.h.i.+rt and suspenders came towards her, sporting a big, bushy gray beard. He smiled, and his large belly jiggled as he waved to some people across the room.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm so glad you have come to join us." He shook her hand and smiled jovially.

"Thank you, Mr...?"

"Wolfe, John Wolfe. It's about time the law did something about those drugs. Keeneston is such a perfect town, but we just aren't prepared for such things. And, that Devon Ross is as sleazy as they come. I really hope you can bust him soon." Only through years of training did she hide her shock. She put on a gentle smile and gave a little laugh.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wolfe, but I'm just a guidance counselor, not a cop."

"A cop? Of course you're not a cop, missy, you're DEA," he said matter-of-factly. "Now, you just let me know if you need any information, and if I don't already know the answer, I can find out for you. It was a real pleasure meeting you. All the kids at the high school just love you. I hope you decide to stay around after this case." He gave her a wink as he waded back into the crowd.

Annie stood still, feeling a bit silly as she stared after him. How was that possible? Had she just been punked? She smiled again and started to mingle. Lesson one, never show a reaction. So she talked to Dani, Kenna and Paige and allowed herself to be dragged around the room and introduced to practically everyone in the town by the Rose sisters before Cade caught up with them.

He came up beside her and lightly ran his hand down her back before resting it on the curve of her hip. "Are you about ready to go home?" he whispered into her ear. His warm breath danced over her skin, resulting in goose b.u.mps and s.h.i.+vers that were definitely not caused from being cold.

Home. The word meant something now. She gave him a full smile and nodded. She really wanted to get home and be with him. He expertly extricated her from the conversation and steered her out of the room. She slipped on her coat when she noticed John Wolfe again.

"Hey, he knew I was DEA. Did you tell him?" She casually nodded in his direction.

"Who, John?"

"Yes, he came up to me and told me he was glad I was here to clean up the drug mess and offered any information I needed."

"He's a local legend. He knows everything, but no one knows how. I'm not surprised he knows about the drugs, and I'm not surprised he knows you are DEA. I would be surprised if we ever found out how he knows all this. If he offered to help, take him up on it. He and the Roses are the heart and soul of this town. He'll find out anything you need and will move heaven and earth to protect Keeneston." Cade leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips before saying good-bye to some of his friends gathering their coats.

They approached his home, and she saw the curtain in the front window move aside and a big black nose press against the widow. A purple bow was tied in his hair today. Justin barked his greeting as he bounded toward the door with his hair flying and bow bouncing.

A sense of peacefulness settled over her as she watched Justin land two big paws on Cade's chest and cover his face with his kisses. She may not have experienced the feeling often, but she knew what it was. She was happy, and she was in love with a man and his goofy dog.

Cade laughed as Justin bounded around. Annie slipped out of her coat and leaned against Cade. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and tucked her head against his chest.

"Cade?"

"Yes."

"I love you, too." She felt the hitch in his breathing as he heard her soft words. He spun her around and kissed her fast and hard. His hands were everywhere, and she was suddenly standing there in nothing but her black bra, panties and heels.

"G.o.d, I have been dying to tell you how much I love you, but I was afraid I would scare you away." His tie went flying and landed out of sight. "I was afraid before. I'm glad you didn't push it. But, I know it now with certainty. I know what I want, and it's you." She didn't speak anymore after that. He didn't give her time. He decided to show her a kind of love that didn't need words.

The playoffs. Jesus, the playoffs. Cade took a couple deep breaths and wrung his hands. He was stalling going into the locker room. He knew it, but he couldn't let the boys see his nerves. He had never made it to the playoffs. Heck, he'd never coached before either. How was he going to do this?

"Coach?"

"Austin, what can I do for you?" Cade watched as his quarterback squared his shoulders and looked him right in the eye.

"Over Thanksgiving, I realized something. We both know I was supplementing with S2. I told myself it was for the team. To help win State and to help me win a scholars.h.i.+p. I thought it made me better, but it made me worse. I had dinner with Bonner, and he's still in physical therapy and has to take all these medications. I don't want that to happen to anyone else. I realized what happened to Bonner could happen to me or any of my teammates who are taking S2. I have talked to the team. We're all clean now, but I know what I need to do. I need to turn myself in to you as a drug user. I know you'll want me off the team. Maybe I could get some counseling from Miss Hill and come back next year?" Austin stood his ground and was prepared to take his punishment. Cade couldn't help but respect him. He had grown up.

"After the game, let's meet in my office in the field house with your parents and Miss Hill and discuss the situation. I am very proud of you for talking to me. It shows great leaders.h.i.+p, Austin. Real quarterbacks need to lead on and off the field."

"Yes, sir." Austin went back into the locker room and Cade felt his adrenalin surge. He had a plan and it would work if he got some help from John Wolfe.

Cade ran the length of the sidelines, cheering Trey on as he made his way to the end zone. There was one minute left in the rematch game against their rival T.H. Morgan and they were tied. Austin had pa.s.sed the ball to Trey who had leveled one defender and twisted out of another tackle forty yards back. He had broken free and was heading for the end zone to give Keeneston the lead.

Trey tucked the ball against his chest as he lunged past the last defensive player to reach the end zone. The whistle blew and the referee's arms went up causing the stadium to erupt.

"Come on, men! Huddle up! The game is not over. They still have time to score." Cade called his defense around him as the extra point was kicked. "Stick to your man. Don't give them an inch. You win this, and you play at Commonwealth Stadium from now on."

The defense took the field with determination. The quarterback from T.H. Morgan pulled his arm back and released a canon of a ball that shot downfield. Cade almost closed his eyes, but he couldn't look away. If the receiver caught this ball, there would only be Aiden, the freshman safety, there to prevent the touchdown.