The feeling of being here, watching her brother with his children, Henry sleeping peacefully on her chest, and Jensen’s warm arm around her filled her with so much happiness that she couldn’t stop the tears that slid down her cheeks.
“Beautiful,” Jensen whispered, catching one of her tears with a fingertip before cupping her cheek in his hand.
They stayedlike that for a while, watching the kids play, and Ransom play right along with them.
Before too long, Henry woke up and wanted to join in the fun, and the day went on—playing with toys, reading books, going outside with the dogs and watching themstreak across the snow, then coming in with cold, pink cheeks to enjoy a snack of hot chocolate and cookies.
“Hey,” Ransom said quietly to Willow as the kids devoured some cookies. “Is there any chance you could stay with these guys while I run out for a bit?”
“Of course,” Willow said, a little surprised that he was leaving, but not wanting to push for more info. She had the feeling that she wasn’t the only one in the family who had sparked up a romance this holiday season, and she was happy if that was true. “Take as long as you need.”
He patted her shoulder and headed to the door, giving the kids a quick goodbye and letting them know he had to run a tiny errand, and that Willow and Jensen would be there with them.
“What’s that all about?” Jensen asked Willow after he had gone.
“I have no idea,” Willow said, shaking her head. “But if he thinks I’m not grilling him about it when he gets back, he really is an idiot.”
“What happened to you two minding your own business?” Jensen teased.
“He’s the only one who agreed to that,” she pointed out. “I’m still nosy as can be.”
“I know where he went,” Mae announced, looking very pleased.
“We don’tknowwhere he went,” Travis said.
“Who wants to play board games?” Willow asked quickly.
She wassupercurious about where her brother had gone, but she figured she probably shouldn’t let Mae be the one to spill the beans on this little secret. That was forRansom to tell her himself, and she hoped that he’d be back soon enough with some happy news to share.
After all, her own wishes had come true this Christmas Day. How could she not want the same for Ransom?
24
WILLOW
Afew days after Christmas, Willow stood in Jensen’s mom’s kitchen, looking around at the array of familiar faces from her childhood.
It was incredible how many of her friends had stayed in Trinity Falls, or come back here when they were ready to build a family and start their adult lives in earnest.
The kitchen was full of energy, laughter, andsomuch food. In true Trinity Falls fashion, this was a potluck and people took the assignment seriously. The very best dishes from the kitchens of Cassidys, Webbs, and so many others covered practically every surface in the house. Annabelle Williams had brought a basket of fragrant biscuits. And a huge crock of Marilyn Anderson’s famous macaroni casserole had lasted all of about ten minutes.
“Willow,” Jensen said softly, taking her hand. “Mom’s got Henry. Let’s go start a fire in the fire pit.”
She smiled up at him, amazed that no matter howmany times he took her hand in his, it still sent happy shivers down her spine.
“Okay,” she said.
Maybe it was sort of silly to hang out by the fire pit in late December when there was still a ton of snow on the ground from the big storm. But it was getting hot in the house with so many people. And they had sat together around so many fires over the years that it just felt right to escape outside to enjoy the cold, fresh air.
They worked together, gathering wood like always. Before long, they had a nice fire going, and the big logs they used for seating were all brushed off and ready for people to come gather and talk about old times.
“Should I run and grab everyone?” she asked him.
“In a minute,” he told her. “I just had to ask you something first.”
She frowned at the serious note in his voice, then realized what it had to be.
“Oh gosh, is this about the captain’s wedding?” she asked him. “I thought you would never ask me.”
