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  The implications were huge, life-altering.

  She recognized Landon’s truck parked along the curb and pointed to the pastel blue house. “That should be it.”

  Dad pulled in and parked in the single spot left in the driveway.

  Her stomach coiled. Who else was here? She’d expected only Landon, Gran, and maybe his parents. She wanted to meet his family on a smaller scale and in shifts the first time. She inhaled, only taking in a small amount of air. I can do this.

  Climbing out of the car, she felt like a teen girl being dropped off at the mall for a date. The thought made her laugh and lightened the load on her nerves. How many adult women met their boyfriend’s family for the first time by climbing out the backseat of their parents’ car with a younger sister in tow.

  She sighed. There were extenuating circumstances in this case. With her mom’s fragile emotional state, Jessa didn’t feel comfortable going out of town, and if she invited her parents, she’d also have to invite Phoebe because Mom wouldn’t have come without her.

  Dear Lord, please don’t let it be this way forever. I want to honor my parents, but I want to live my own life as well, especially if—when—I get married. She loved Jasper Lake, but she wanted a honeymoon away from there, somewhere new to her.

  And no matter what, she would not invite her parents on a honeymoon.

  Normal children didn’t have to think about such things, but her normal went out the window with Hunter’s arrest and Trixie’s disappearance. She could only pray that when the time came for a wedding and honeymoon her mom would be settled enough emotionally to endure her leaving for a week.

  Maybe she was jumping too far ahead. She and Landon hadn’t discussed marriage, though he had decided he’d move to Jasper Lake. Then again, why would he move his entire life if marriage to her wasn’t in his plans?

  She stopped her worrying. She loved him, and he loved her. That’s all that mattered for this moment.

  “Are you coming, sweetheart?” Dad, flanked by mom and Phoebe, stared at her.

  How long had she been standing there lost in her thoughts? “Yes. I was trying to collect myself before going in.”

  “You’ll be fine. Girlfriends and boyfriends have been doing this for ages.” He smiled at his wife. “Remember when I met your parents?”

  Mom’s eyes danced. “Boy, do I remember. You insulted my dad’s haircut.”

  “Not on purpose.” Dad rolled his eyes. “All I asked was if he’d had it cut at the new place in town. How was I to know a new women’s salon had also opened that same week?”

  Jessa laughed. “I needed that.”

  “It can’t get much worse than that and look at your grandfather and me now. We go fishing together every week.” Dad slipped an arm around her. “You have nothing to worry about. Landon loves you and so will his family.”

  I hope so. She squared her shoulders, marched to the door with an air of confidence that could have only come from God Himself.

  Landon appeared soon after she rang the doorbell and welcomed them inside. He greeted her with a kiss then pressed a finger to his lips. “Caleb is sleeping. He should wake up soon, but it’s better if he does it on his own.”

  “Aww.” She couldn’t stop the coo. “I can’t wait to see him and get baby snuggles.”

  “You’ll get the chance soon.” He turned to her dad. “How was the drive?”

  “Just fine. No troubles at all.” Dad shook hands with him. “Thanks for inviting us.”

  “Come meet my family. Madison and Archer will be here in an hour, they had a previous engagement with her family, and Scott will be here at six when he gets off work.” He took them through the house, pointing out pictures and their significance as they walked.

  His kindergarten graduation picture with his white cap and gown was her favorite. He hadn’t changed, only grown older.

  Her stomach regressed when Landon slid the door open to the back porch, but she drew on the strength he offered with a hand on hers. She’d seen pictures of all of them, but Gran’s hair was whiter in person, and Tanya did not look like she was only one month postpartum. Except the dark circles under her eyes, she looked fantastic and glowed.

  After all the introductions were made, Landon made a circle with the patio chairs.

  Gran smiled at her. “Sit next to me.”

  Honored to receive the invitation, Jessa sat on the swing with her. “I’m so glad to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you, I think I know you better than my own grandmother.”

  “Landon has said much about you as well.” Wrinkles formed on her cheeks when she smiled. “I don’t believe he realizes he works you into every conversation.”

  Her cheeks warmed, as did her heart. “I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to meet you when you came to Jasper Lake.”

  Gran laid her weathered hand on top of Jessa’s. “Something tells me we will have plenty of time to spend together in Jasper Lake.”

  A shuffling sound ran through the monitor, followed by a baby’s cry.

  Tanya rose to her feet. “Duty calls. I’ll be back after I feed him.”

  Lacy came to the swing and handed Jessa a bracelet made from woven plastic bands. “This is for you. I made it.”

  “Thank you. I love it.” She slipped the bracelet over her hand and admired it, catching Landon’s wink from the corner of her eye.

  “Are you and Uncle Landon getting married? Mom said she hoped you would so there would be lots of babies. Aunt Madison is having one this fall.”

  Everyone fell silent and stared at Lacy.

  Landon’s mom coughed. “What did you say, Lacy?”

  “Aunt Madison is having a baby this fall. She told Mom yesterday.” Lacy glanced around the group with a confused face, not understanding why everyone looked at her with a strange expression.

  “Are you sure you heard her correctly?” Gran asked. After Lacy nodded, Gran pulled her close. “I don’t think you were supposed to say anything, so let’s pretend you never heard or told us, okay?”

  Lacy scrunched her nose. “But wouldn’t that be a lie?”

  Everyone stared at Gran, waiting to hear her response, relieved to not be the one who had to answer.

  “It’s not lying, it’s acting. Like you did in the Christmas play.”

  “Okay.” Lacy shrugged then returned to her seat and loom. She began working on another bracelet, apparently not giving another thought to what she’d said.

  Gran made eye contact with each adult. “No one say anything. Let them tell us in their time. And act surprised.”

  Everyone nodded in agreement, and soon Tanya returned with Caleb.

  She offered him to Jessa. “Would you like to hold him?”

  “Absolutely.” She took Caleb and cradled him in her arms. Breathing in, she smelled the sweet scent of a happy baby. His downy soft dark hair had grown since the last picture Landon had shown her. The closest to a baby she had in Jasper Lake was Dex, Beth’s toddler, but he only snuggled when he was tired. Still, she was glad for the chance to be around children, since Beth’s little family were staying at the boarding house indefinitely. “He’s precious.”

  “Thank you.” Tanya glanced down at him. “You wouldn’t have thought so three hours ago.”

  Jessa held him for fifteen minutes, then saw her mom and Phoebe watching with longing. “Who wants him next?”

  “Me,” they both said at the same time.

  “You go first,” Phoebe said.

  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 an
d 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?”

  “God likes to keep us on our toes.” His confident smile reassured her.

  Her anxieties eased, but they still needed to discuss this. “Do we postpone the wedding?”

  He jerked his head, as though surprised she’d suggested it. “No. We’ll figure this out.”

  “We can move the ceremony up a few hours.” She bit down on her lip, considered other possibilities.

  “The church has another wedding before ours.” He clasped his hands together. “I’ve got it. Let’s have the ceremony here.”

  “Here?”

  “Yes. My family is already here, and you can call yours to come now before the roads get worse. The pastor lives two buildings down so he could walk if needed.”

  “But…” Before she finished her protest, she realized he might be on to something. “You know what, let’s do it.”

  He kissed her forehead. “It won’t be the wedding we planned, but we’ll have a great story to tell our kids.”

  “All I want is to be married and start our lives together. If we have to adjust our plans, then we adjust our plans. I’m sure bigger obstacles will be thrown in our ways over the years. This is simply a test.”

  “That’s my girl. What should I do?”

  “Call the pastor and tell him the change of plans. Oh, and find Mrs. Addy and run this by her. You should probably do that first since this is her place.” She paused, creating a mental checklist. “I’ll call my family, and the few guests I know would come out in this weather. We can have a reception later on, to celebrate with everyone.”

  “Consider it done.”

  “We’re getting married today.” She grabbed his arms and squealed.

  He laughed and winked at her. “Glad you’re excited.”

  She ran upstairs and started making phone calls, pulling out her dress, shoes, makeup and jewelry as she spoke. The impromptu plans were coming together, and her heart filled with joy. A twinge of sadness came over her when she looked at the picture of her family atop her dresser. Everything else had been packed away, ready to move into her and Landon’s new home, but she’d kept that one photo out. She wished Hunter and Trixie would be there to see her get married, but she couldn’t let their absence mar her day.

  The next several hours passed in a whirlwind of preparations. No one would allow her downstairs to see the progress, but they assured her everything was under control. She tried her best to sit still while Phoebe and Rachel styled her hair, but her nerves made her bouncy.

  Finally, she was alone upstairs with only her father who would walk her downstairs at the music cue.

  He lifted her veil to kiss her cheek. “You are a beautiful bride.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  The music played, and he took her arm, escorted her downstairs and into the dining room which had been transformed into a magical setting.

  Rachel stood right outside the door with the bouquet Jessa had ordered from the florist. “Surprise.”

  Jessa’s eyes widened when she saw the florist had made the delivery of all arrangements. She’d have her dream bouquet of antique roses, thistle, astilbe, and eucalyptus after all. Handing Rachel the substitute bunch of silk sunflowers found in Addy’s attic, she took the live one.

  Her entire wedding party—including guests—numbered less than thirty, but now that it was happening, Jessa wouldn’t have it any other way. She tightened her arm around her dad’s as they walked down the makeshift aisle.

  She looked up and locked eyes with Landon.

  This is love. Sharing life with those you care about, come rain or snow, trial or tribulations.

  She came to the final row of seats. Dad released her arm when Landon came down to meet her. She too
k a single step forward, ready to say I do and begin the first day of the rest of her life.

  Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as

  God also forgave you in Christ.

  Ephesians 4:31-32

  A Love This True, Trixie’s story, will be available in late spring, 2018.

  Dear Reader,

  Family dynamics can be tricky and complicated. Even the families who seem perfect on the outside, like the Graffs, often have their own set of problems. Despite the issues that arise, families have a unique bond which is strengthened when members learn to forgive and show grace. While I know there are some situations that require outside help and involvement, I truly believe a healthy family starts with a Christ-centered family. If I have one prayer for the Jasper Lake series, it’s that it will inspire readers to treat and love their own family in a Godly way.

  Until next time,

  Leah

  P.S. If you’ve not already read the Jasper Lake Prequel, Not This Time, you can find it here. Landon first appeared in the Modern Convenience series and you can read about his brother in Calling Love and his sister in Waiting on Love.

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  About the Author

  USA Today Bestselling Author Leah Atwood is a small-town girl at heart and currently lives in a rural town in the deep South, though Maryland will always be home. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in International Business but gave up a career in sales and marketing to follow love, a decision she's never regretted.

  From the old west to Cajun country, Leah infuses true-to-life characters with small-town charm to invite her readers into a world where faith and love will always prevail. In both her historical and contemporary works, she believes in delivering inspirational stories that will leave her readers with a smile.