Jessa handed Caleb to her mom. The pure joy on her face led to a wistfulness, and if Jessa were a betting woman, she’d put money on the fact her mother already had Jessa married to Landon and pregnant in her mind.
A reality I wouldn’t mind. One I’d embrace.
The afternoon passed with less awkwardness than she’d anticipated, and she slowly relaxed as their families moved from polite conversation to bouts of laughter—joking like old friends. Who knew her dad and Landon’s both collected rare coins? Or that Mom and Mrs. Violet had each taken floral design classes at their high school’s vocational training center. Even Tanya and Phoebe bonded over shared nostalgia of their favorite childhood book series.
When Madison and Archer showed up, they joined right in, as did Scott, though he and Tanya left with the kids soon after he came. No one blamed them—the growing family needed time at home adjusting to their new dynamic and getting rest. Lots and lots of rest whenever possible.
At eight, Gran excused herself claiming exhaustion and time for bed. She gave each person a hug and kiss on the cheek. The sweet gesture elicited smiles from Jessa’s family and sealed their fate in the Reeves family.
Five minutes later, Peter stood. “There’s a new coffee shop in town that has a great decaf blend you can’t tell doesn’t have caffeine. Would you like to go and see a bit of our town?”
Dad glanced at Mom then answered Peter. “We’d love to. Would you like to join us, Phoebe? I know you love your lattes.”
“Sure.” Phoebe stood and grabbed her purse. “You don’t mind, do you, Jess?”
“Not at all.”
They’d been subtle but fooled no one. The trip to the coffee shop was a ruse to give her and Landon time alone, for which she was grateful. After they left, Landon moved next to her on the swing. He slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him.
Leaning her head on his shoulder, she sighed, completely at peace. “Today’s been nice.”
“Our families get along well. I thought they would, but you never know until they actually meet.”
“Lacy cracks me up. Tanya must have her hands full.”
“I can’t believe she told Madison’s secret.” He rubbed circles on her neck, sending delicious chills through her. “I wonder when Madison and Archer will announce the pregnancy.”
“Maybe they are waiting for Easter tomorrow. With the surplus of bunnies and lambs, there are plenty of cute ways to announce it.”
“You’re probably right.” Landon stared into the twilight. “Archer’s going to be a great dad. He’s always been the levelheaded one of us and the most dependable. Some say it comes with being the oldest, but it’s who he is—an all-around great guy and brother.”
“You mom and Gran will be in baby heaven with Caleb and another on the way.”
“It’s fun having the little ones around. I loved when Lacy was a baby. Of course, if she started crying, I could hand her right back to Lacy.” He chuckled softly. “That rarely happened though.”
“Do you want kids of your own?” She sat upright to see his face. They’d discussed almost everything a couple possibly could, except that.
He didn’t answer right away, and that worried her. “A year ago, I would have said no. Not because I didn’t want them but because I was scared I’d be a terrible dad. Then I met you, and you helped me see beyond my fears. So the answer is yes, I want kids. Do you?”
“Yes.” When the right man hadn’t come along, and her friends were on second, and third, and even their fourth child, she’d tamed that desire, but holding Caleb had unleashed it.
Landon leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Let’s have babies and raise them in Jasper Lake and give them all the love we can shower on them.”
“Wh…” She couldn’t get her words out.
He slid off the swing and onto one knee. Reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. “I’ve been thinking all week about how to do this, and all I know is I can’t wait to ask. I love you and want to marry you. I want to grow old as a couple sitting on our rocking chairs and looking out over the lake.”
Joyful tears sprung to life. This was the easiest question she’d ever had to answer. “Yes, I’ll marry you and spend my life with you. I love you too.”
Epilogue
November
“I can’t believe it’s snowing. What are we going to do?” Jessa gazed out the window of Addy’s with a look of abject horror. “It wasn’t supposed to do anything until Monday.”
Landon rubbed his hand in soothing motions on her back. “It will be okay.”
“How? There are already six inches out there, and another six expected by this evening. No one will be able to make it to the church.” She ran a hand through her hair. “What is it with us and surprise snowstorms?”
