Page 214

“You wanna know?” Jackie asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you were done with this place.”
She considered it. “I suppose since my daughter’s living here, I could ... hear some of the things that have happened. As long as the town doesn’t turn on me, that is.”
“I can whip them into shape,” I said.
Jackie laughed. “Just like she did a few weeks ago. We’re all on the right path now thanks to her.”
“Is Center Point still open?” Mom asked.
“It is. They’ll be doing dinner now. Tammy runs it.”
“Please tell me she doesn’t do the cooking.”
“Nope. That would be her husband.”
“Well then ... honey,” she turned to Dad. “Do you mind if we stay for dinner?”
“Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked.
“Yeah ... I think I am.”
“Then we’ll stay. I wanna see the farmhouse Mollie loves so badly. She was hunting for a house forever. This one had better be good.”
“It is,” I said. “You’re welcome to come in.”
“I can show you my marble run!” Eric offered.
“Is it in the hallway again?” Cain asked. “Because if it is and our guests fall?—”
Eric tore off in the direction of the farmhouse.
“That answersthatquestion,” Ireplied.
We closed up the farm while Jackie and Mom talked. Eventually, they rode in Jackie’s car to the town square while I showed Dad the house and the barn. They stayed late into the night, and instead of driving back, I offered to let them sleep at the house.
“It’s not too bad out here,” Dad eventually said as I handed him towels. “And who knew you were good with kids?”
“Just the right one,” I replied.
“Can you believe the entire town has a grant to make rent cheaper?” Mom asked as she took the extra toothbrush I offered. “I didn’t think those kinds of things existed!”
“It’s almost like magic,” I replied.
“Goes with the town slogan.” She brought me into a hug. “I’msohappy for you, honey. You were right about this place.”
“Thank you for coming to see it.”
“I suppose we’ll be here more often. I can’t let you do all the driving. Especially with a child.”
“Technically, he’s Cain’s.”
“Sure. Is that why you have a book in your hand to read to him?”
“He likes my voice better.”
She smiled before she pulled Dad into the guest room, wishing me a good night. I took a breath, absorbing the fact that I’d done it. The farm had done well. Mom and Dad had seen itandwere proud of me.
And I had the perfect boyfriend waiting for me to read to his adorable kid.