“Dr. Murphy,” Mrs. Larsen called from the dessert table, “this potato salad is divine! You simply must give me the recipe.”
Faith bit back a laugh. “That would be Gretchen’s creation, Mrs. Larsen. I’ll make sure she gets the compliment.”
Through the kitchen window, Faith could see Gretchen bustling around, coordinating the feast with military precision while Lucy helped by staying out of her way and sampling everything. Jake’s business partner, George, was deep in conversation with Detective Webb about home security systems, while Edward stood sentinel beside Ruth, ready to intervene if her stories got too scandalous for mixed company.
“Faith, dear!” Ruth’s voice carried across the yard. “Come settle an argument. Mrs. Panamaker here doesn’t believe that I once dated a circus performer.”
“Which husband was that?” Faith called back, one hand unconsciously resting on her still-flat stomach. She and Jake hadn’t told anyone yet—the pregnancy test had been positive just three days ago, and they were still processing the joy and terror of it all.
“Oh, he wasn’t a husband,” Ruth said airily. “This was between husbands three and four. Or was it four and five? The years do blur together.”
Jake appeared beside Faith, sliding his arms around her waist from behind. “My grandmother is corrupting the entire neighborhood,” he murmured in her ear. “Mr. Panamaker looks like he’s taking notes.”
Faith leaned back against his chest, marveling at how perfectly they fit together now. No careful distance, no walking on eggshells—just the easy comfort of two people who’d learned to trust each other completely.
“Lucy’s been asking when we’re going to start trying for kids,” Faith said quietly, watching said friend attempt to balance three plates at once. “I may have been deliberately vague.”
“Good,” Jake said, his hand covering hers on her stomach. “Let’s keep our little secret a bit longer. Though knowing Ruth, she’ll figure it out before we’re ready to tell anyone.”
“Figure what out?” Ruth’s voice came from directly behind them, making them both jump.
Faith spun around to find Jake’s grandmother standing there with a plate of food and the kind of knowing smile that had probably terrified world leaders.
“Nothing, Gran,” Jake said quickly. “We were just?—”
“Oh please.” Ruth waved her fork dismissively. “I’ve been around for ninety-one years, buried six husbands, and raised two children. I know pregnancy glow when I see it.” She leaned closer to Faith, lowering her voice. “The question is, how far along are you, and have you told your mother yet?”
Faith stared at her, mouth agape. “Ruth, I literally just found out three days ago. How could you possibly?—”
“You stopped drinking wine at dinner last week and you’ve been eating crackers first thing in the morning.” Ruth’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Plus, you have that soft, secret look about you.”
Jake shook his head in amazement. “Is there anything you don’t notice?”
“Not much,” Ruth said proudly. “So, when are you due?”
Faith looked helplessly at Jake, who just laughed and pulled her closer. “Late spring, we think. We haven’t even seen the doctor yet.”
“Wonderful!” Ruth clapped her hands together, then immediately looked around to make sure no one was listening. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”
“Ruth Murphy!” Lucy’s voice carried across the yard. “Get over here and tell Mrs. Henderson about the time you met Frank Sinatra!”
“Duty calls,” Ruth said with a theatrical sigh. “But Faith, dear, make sure you eat something with protein.” She paused, her expression turning tender. “I’m so happy for you both. This little one is going to be surrounded by so much love.”
As Ruth bustled away to regale the neighbors with more questionable stories from her colorful past, Faith turned in Jake’s arms to face him.
“So much for keeping it secret,” she said.
“Are you kidding? Ruth knowing is like having our own personal early warning system. She’ll probably have the nursery designed and a pediatrician selected before we hit the second trimester.”
Faith laughed, the sound mixing with the buzz of conversation, the sizzle of the grill, and the distant sound of children playing in the park down the street. The house rose around them, fully restored and filled with life, exactly as she’d always dreamed.
“I love you, Jake Murphy,” she said, standing on her toes to kiss him.
“I love you too. Both of you,” he added, his hand joining hers on her stomach.
From across the yard, Ruth’s voice rose above the crowd: “And that’s how I ended up banned from three casinos in Monaco and married to husband number five in the same weekend!”
Faith and Jake looked at each other and burst into laughter.
“Think our kid will be that adventurous?” Faith asked.
Jake grinned, pulling her closer as the sun set over their perfectly imperfect neighborhood gathering. “With Murphy genes and your stubborn streak? That poor child doesn’t stand a chance.”
“Poor child nothing,” Faith said, watching Ruth demonstrate what appeared to be a card trick to a fascinated group of neighbors. “With Ruth Murphy as a great-grandmother, this baby is going to have the best childhood of all.
“God help us,” Jake murmured, but his smile was pure joy.
In the distance, fireworks began to bloom across the summer sky—a neighbor’s early Fourth of July celebration. Faith settled back against her husband’s chest, surrounded by friends and family, in the home they’d built together from broken dreams and second chances.
It was, she decided, the perfect beginning to their happily ever after.
