For Him, I Would

Chapter Fifty-One - Family is chosen by you or God.

Oakley walked down the aisle in the grocery store while she pushed the cart. She was almost done, only needing a few more spices to complete her long list of items for Thanksgiving. The store was packed, everyone seeming to have waited until two days before to gather everything they needed.

When Oakley turned down the last aisle to get back to the front she stopped in her tracks. Jamie was standing, looking through some of the bottles of wine, a small handbasket in his left hand.

Oakley couldn't turn around; it would be too obvious now and she could call attention to herself. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the cart forward slowly. Jamie did a double take when he went to step out of her way.

"Oakley?" Jamie asked.

"Hi..." Oakley paused walking.

"Hi," Jamie nodded.

He glanced at her full cart, his eyes resting on the large turkey she had from the butcher in the corner of the store. Oakley knew Jamie knew what everything was for.

"You're a little far from your place," Oakley mentioned, not knowing what else to say.

"Yeah," Jamie glanced down. "I'm actually having Thanksgiving at a co-worker's place that's just up the road. I said I'd bring some wine or something."

"Oh," Oakley didn't hide her small disappointment. "Well, I'm glad you have somewhere to go."

"Are you," Jamie took a breath. "Are you cooking Thanksgiving for them?"

"Them?" Oakley asked. "You mean your family?"

"They don't really do Thanksgiving," Jamie ignored her.

"So I've been told," Oakley nodded. "But that doesn't mean I can't do it because I want to do it."

"And they all agreed?" Jamie asked.

"We're going to have almost twenty," Oakley said. "If you count the wranglers and those rodeo girls."

"You're cooking for everyone?" Jamie looked surprised.

"I am," Oakley nodded. "I uh...could cook for you too?"

She didn't know what made her offer that. Jamie hadn't been the best person to any of them recently, Oakley included. She knew his history with each family member now and none of them were great stories. But Oakley would always hold a soft spot for Jamie.

"I'm not welcome there," Jamie shook his head.

"I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable," Oakley understood.

"But thank you," Jamie said quickly. "For the offer."

He went to walk away.

"Jamie?" Oakley asked, her grip on the cart tightening. "I have to ask..."

"Yeah?" Jamie looked at her.

"Are you gonna run for governor against your father?" Oakley pressed her lips together.

Jamie eyed her for a minute.

"No," He shook his head.

"No?" Oakley asked, shocked.

"He's not my father, Oakley," Jamie gave her one last look before turning around and walking down the aisle leaving Oakley wide-eyed.

******

"He said that?" Kayce asked later that day when he got home from work.

Oakley had told Kayce, in the main house's kitchen, about her encounter with Jamie at the store earlier. She had unloaded all the food at the main house and started to prep a few things while she was there.