Page 120 of Midnight

Patrick sighed, then smiled. “Okay, you two. I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

“I’ve been kissing her since we were thirteen. Happy to do it again,” Asher said.

Nora laughed, so he kissed her again…because he could.

It was the happiest day of their lives.

She became the target of much hugging and kissing.

Patrick Fairchild stayed long enough to get the marriage certificate signed and witnessed, and he was gone.

During all of the travel arrangements, they’d forgotten all about a wedding cake until it was too late to do much about it, and bought what was there. Cutting a half a sheet cake with the wordsIT’S A BOYbecame the next moment of the day.

“Take a picture before we cut it!” Nora cried, and Angie grabbed her phone as they held it up so the words could be read.

“It’s either an announcement or a warning,” Jacob said, as laughter filled that wonderful kitchen with the jewel colors and handmade tiles. A promise for the years to come.

* * *

That night, Nora slept beside her husband, and Asher slept beside his wife, and woke up to the reality of furnishing Thanksgiving for the crowd.

Only this time, Nora was prepared. They weren’t eating until evening, and she was ready for the sides and salads that were their contributions.

Pearl and Angie were already cooking turkey and dressing at Dylan’s and, to everyone’s delight, Gunner was bringing more than himself to the party. He’d transported pecan pies and pumpkin rolls all the way from a Dallas pastry shop.

* * *

It was midafternoon when they began to gather, and it was not lost upon any of them what had been lost that year, and what had been found. When they finally sat down at the table in the dining room, they remarked upon the lovely china at their places.

“They were Mom’s,” Nora said, and then looked at Asher and smiled. Today was just the passing of a torch. One generation to the next.

Pearl sat with her hands in her lap, watching the faces, hearing the laughter, seeing Jacob as the father. Still feeling like she was on the outside, looking in, until Jacob took her hand, and leaned over and whispered in her ear.

“I will build two more rooms on to my house to make room for the daughters-in-law and the grandbabies…yours and mine…if you’ll marry me. Don’t fuss. Just think about it.” And then he lifted her hand and kissed it.

Pearl’s eyes widened. Her cheeks flushed, and when she smiled, Jacob smiled back.

Nora saw it, and said nothing, but was hoping it came to something.

The dinner and desserts were a success. The day was ending on a high note, but also on goodbyes. Jacob and Pearl were flying home tomorrow. Gunner was the first to leave, because he was driving home tonight with boxes of leftovers and three pieces of leftover wedding cake, because they’d eaten all the pies.

When he was leaving, Nora slipped the borrowed penny into his coat pocket. “Safe travels, Gunner Kingston, and always watch your back.”

“Spoken like a true cop’s wife. Asher’s got a good one.” He winked, then he was gone.

Goodbyes until Christmas were made to Jacob and Pearl, and then everyone was gone, and the house was silent.

Asher saw her standing at the window, watching the taillights of Dylan and Angie’s car as they drove away.

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she leaned back against him.

“It’s not over, darlin’. It’s just the beginning.”

Epilogue

Austin—One year later

St. David’s Hospital