“It was the best day of my life when you came back to me. You are the love of my life.” Greg took her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Maybe we can bathe under that waterfall over yonder.”
Mercy blushed. “It’s a date.”
“I think we ended up with the best piece of land and truthfully I was amazed that the land was still available. I had to wait until I was eighteen, but I got our 640 acres of free land.”
“You’re so impatient!” She laughed. “You didn’t have a long wait. Your birthday was a month after we got here. I’ve never seen such a celebration! Did I mention my birthday is in six weeks?” Her laugh faded to a secretive smile. “But I’d rather have a private birthday with just you. This time next year we won’t have any privacy.”
Greg shrugged. “Juan will build his house far enough away so we won’t have to worry.”
“That’s good. I wouldn’t want crying to wake him or anything.”
Greg furrowed his brow. “Sweetheart, I don’t ever expect to make you cry.”
Mercy laughed again. “I never thought you could be so dense.”
He stared at her. “Just tell me what you mean.”
Her smile deepened. “I’m with child.”
“What?” Greg immediately picked her up and spun her around. “Yee Haw!”
“Put me down! You’re making me sick!”
Greg instantly stopped and put her back on her feet. “Are you all right? What about the baby? I didn’t make the baby dizzy did I?”
Smitty and Lynn had walked their way. Smitty roared with laughter. “Greg, I guess I need to explain babies to you,” He said in between guffaws.
Lynn hugged Mercy for a good, long time. “I’m so happy for you both!”
Smitty took his turn hugging Mercy. “You make sure my son is good to you. No more climbing up to the roof for you, young lady.”
Greg’s mouth dropped open. “Were you with child when you were building the house?”
Mercy smiled and shrugged. “If I had told you, then you would have made me sit and watch. I’m not one to sit and watch, you know.”
“I can see I’ll have my hands full with you, my love.”
Mercy walked into the circle of his arms. “For always.”
The End
Greg Page 12