“You arranged these yourself?” If that were the case, Jen was extraordinarily talented at arranging flowers.
“I was a horticulturist before becoming a nanny,” Jen explained. “I’m not sure how much Owen has told you about me.”
Not nearly enough, apparently.Halle took a step back. “Would you like to come in?”
“If you don’t mind.” Jen’s voice was laced with uncertainty.
Halle waved the lovely bouquet at her. “Best ticket in the door ever!”
Jen pulled the door mostly closed behind them without latching it. “Listen, I’d like to clear the air between us before you marry my brother.”
Halle’s breath caught in her throat, not yet accustomed to Jen’s bluntness.
“I’m trying,” Jen burst out. “It might not seem like it, but I am. It’s just that things between you and Owen happened so fast. I wasn’t here when you met him, started dating him, and…now this.” She stopped in agitation, then started speaking again in a rush. “What I need is some assurance that your reasons for marrying him are about more than reclaiming your family farm.”
“Whoa!” Halle felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. “I guess that’s fair.” Things had happened pretty quickly between her and Owen from her own perspective, as well. “If it helps, we didn’t exactly plan this.” Their first encounter had been far from romantic. “Our relationship didn’t have a fairy-tale beginning. It started off with me accusing him of trespassing on my property.” She made a rueful face. “That wasbeforeI realized the farm had been sold out from beneath me.”
“Ouch!” Jen’s tone was one of grudging sympathy.
“Instead of booting me into the next county, Owen acted genuinely concerned. He held onto his temper and immediately started sorting through the details.” Halle was still in awe of the way he’d conducted himself that afternoon. “Once he heard my side of the story, he jumped into what I call his fix-it mode.” She smiled at the memory. “While I was still struggling to catch my breath, he offered to trade his detective skills for my nanny skills, and the rest is history.”
“That’swhat actually got this started?” Jen’s lips twitched. “Exchanging favors?”
“Pretty much.” Halle silently pleaded for her to understand. “For what it’s worth, I fell for Ryder and Cooper before I fell for your brother. They made complete toast out of my heart on day one.”
Jen burst out laughing. It was a rusty sound. “That sounds like my nephews.”
Halle liked seeing this side of her. It gave her the courage to add, “Just so you know, our nanny arrangement was never about driving a wedge between you and the boys.” She pressed a hand to her heart. “It’s the last thing I want. Family is too important.”
Jen’s expression was difficult to read. An awkward silence settled between them.
Halle was the first to break it. “Owen said you liked the empty cottage over by the cornfields. I hope it means you’re thinking about staying.”
“For real?” Jen’s lips parted in astonishment.
“Yes!” Halle felt as if a tremendous hurdle had been crossed. “I want you to live close enough for the boys to continue having a rich relationship with their only aunt. I want them to visit you so often that you’ll almost feel like you’re being taken advantage of.”
“Never!” Jen’s voice was adamant. “I could never see too much of those little stinkers.”
“Then it’s settled. The cottage is yours.” Halle curled both hands around the stems of the bouquet Jen had made for her. “Owen and the boys are going to be ecstatic when you tell them you’re staying, which is an even bigger gift than your flowers. Thank you for both gifts.”
“You’re welcome.” Jen edged toward the door. “I’m beginning to understand why my brother fell so hard for you.”
Halle was so thankful that he had. “When Owen sees something he wants, he goes for it.”
Jen snorted. “He’s always been that way. Speaking of going for things, I’m supposed to be nudging you outdoors. The bakery delivered your cake a few minutes ago, and Pastor Joe is waiting in the front yard.”
“It’s time!” Halle clutched her flowers tighter, thrilled to pieces that she and Jen had made progress toward something better. It didn’t completely eliminate the weird feeling she’d rolled out of bed with, but it helped.
Jen led the way across the living room to the entry foyer.The front door was propped open, allowing the breeze to sweep through the screen door.
Halle could hear the squawk of chickens on the other side. “What in the world?” As she stepped onto the front porch, she couldn’t believe the number of chickens that were clucking, flapping their wings, and puttering around loose in the yard.
Jensen and Kenny were waving brooms, trying to herd the feathered escapees toward the chicken pens. However, they weren’t making much progress.
Owen strode her way and offered her his arm. “You look stunning, Miss Garrett.” Though his voice was teasing, pure adoration glowed in his eyes. The way he looked in his beige suit took her breath away. She’d never seen him in a suit before. Like her, he’d paired his wedding outfit with boots and a Stetson.
Jen shooed a chicken aside to create a path for them to Pastor Joe. He was waiting for them beneath a multicolored rose trellis someone had erected in the front yard—probably Jen.
