They laughed, sniffled, and boohooed a little while assuring her they loved her, too.
“We need a mom really bad, Miss Garrett,” Cooper informed her in a trembly voice.
Owen felt close to weeping himself.
“I know, baby. I know.” Halle kissed his cheek. “More importantly, God knows, and He heard your prayers.”
“Promise?” Ryder whispered.
“I promise.” She hugged the boys again, kissing the tops of their heads. “Now go learn some good stuff about the Bible, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am!” They rubbed the backs of their hands across their eyes, looking so happy that Owen’s heart ached for them. He’d known they wanted a mother, but seeing the way they’d responded to Halle’s hugs and kisses had still been eye-opening.
He watched his sons straighten and look at each other, then glance toward the church to gauge the distance to the front door.
Cooper hissed, “Last one’s a rotten?—”
Owen caught the boys by their collars before they could break into a run. “Walk!” He used his deepest dad voice to tell them he meant business.
They adopted sheepish looks. “Yes, sir,” they mumbled in unison. Then they started walking. Admittedly, their walking got faster as they tried to beat each other to the front door.
Owen cleared his throat loudly enough for the sound to travel across the parking lot, and they slowed down again. Their antics earned them a few smiles from other families who were walking into the church.
Halle reached for Owen’s hand. “They’re so precious! Even when they’re cutting up.”
“You mean brats.” He threaded his fingers through hers, leaning back against the side of the truck. After the conversation he’d just witnessed her have with his sons, he wasn’tready to step inside the building and start visiting with friends.
“They just have a lot of energy,” she protested with an airy chuckle. “Like frisky kittens.”
He gazed at her, not bothering to hide one drop of what he was feeling. “Thank you for telling them you love them.”
“I do.” She drenched him with a smile that made his heart pound.
“What about me?” His question sent a tremor through her that he felt through the tips of her fingers.
“I think you already know the answer to that,” she whispered.
“Tell me anyway,” he begged.
Her expression grew anxious. “Are you really going to make me say it first?”
“No.” He used their joined hands to tug her closer. “I love you, Halle. I started falling for you the moment you stepped out of your car and accused me of trespassing.”
Her eyes grew soft and dewy. “I’m not sure why that line worked on you, but I’m so glad it did.”
“Okay. Your turn.” He squeezed her fingers. There was no way he was letting her off the hook without telling him what he was longing to hear.
“I love you, too, Owen.” She raised her forefinger to her lips, kissed it, and pressed it to his lips.
He reached up and held it there as she began speaking again.
“You’re the most incredible man I’ve ever known.” Her eyes glowed into his. “The most decent. The most honest. The most loyal. The most caring.” Her voice trembled with emotion. “The best listener and my best friend.”
Her words were both awe-inspiring and humbling. Itwas a lot to live up to. “Did you mean what you said about God answering Ryder and Coop’s prayers?”
“Of course!” Her eyes widened.
“They weren’t kidding about needing a mom.”
