“You moved here, for good? Why?”
“Because you’re our shoe,” Lisa said, then laughed. “I’ll explain later.”
Mike touched her shoulder, then took her hand. “Nothing was the same without you. Our family of two was nice, but we’d be a lot happier as a family of three.”
Was this really happening? Did she deserve such joy?
“I think God led us to you in the beginning,” he said. “I hope you can forgive me for leaving.”
The man had moved for her. Surely that proved he was sincere. Lord, thank you. “Yes, I forgive you. But are you sure this time?”
“Very sure.”
He moved closer, hovered a breath away. She could hardly think with him like that. “What about your job?”
“It’s all arranged. I’ll be working from Gatlinburg.”
“So this is all for real?”
He nodded. “Trust me, Josie? Me, with God’s help, that is?”
She tried to remain firm when every muscle fiber had turned to spaghetti noodles. “Why should I?”
“Because I’m sorry for letting you down. And as far as is in my power, I won’t ever do it again.”
“And…?”
“And because I miss your colorful hair.”
“It’s pretty bland now.”
“Because I miss your curly hair.”
“And…?”
“And because I miss your joy in life, your bluntness, your smile….”
He was practically supporting her total weight. And he couldn’t get any closer without touching his lips to hers. Still, she wanted to make sure he paid his penance. “And…?”
“And I may need you to hire me here if telecommuting doesn’t work out.”
“I could do that.”
He ever so slowly leaned toward her, preparing to touch his lips to hers. “I love you, Josie. You can count on me.”
“Are you ever going to kiss me, Mike?”
He seemed more than happy to oblige.
Finally, after so many moments of wanting him to kiss her, his lips touched hers. She melted into him, deepening the kiss, pouring out all the hurts she’d had while he’d been gone, all the emptiness and heartache. In its place, she let his love fill the achy, needy part inside her. She was finally home.
“What about me?” Lisa asked. “Like, where do I fit in this picture?”
He smiled in the middle of the kiss, breaking contact at the corners. “Why don’t you give us a minute, here?”
She giggled. “Hey, I’m cool with that.”
Bud banged on the grill with his spatula, louder than necessary. “I guess this means I don’t have to kill you, Throckmorton.”
“No, sir. I have honorable intentions.”
“I ’spect you better tell me what they are right now, or I’ll have to stop all that kissin’.”
“That depends on Josie.”
She grinned because she knew it was her move.
She gazed into his eyes, into his soul, to see the man she had grown to love. She knew about his strong sense of loyalty, and knew without a doubt that his loyalty, from here on out, would lie with her. And with Lisa.
Tears stung her nose. “I love him, too, Bud.”
Mike’s breath whooshed out. “Thank you, God.”
“It’s about time,” Bud said. “I’ve had enough of her moping around here. It’s hard on business.”
Josie couldn’t wipe the grin off her face as she and Mike stared into each other’s eyes, holding hands. She couldn’t imagine her life getting much better.
A soft hand closed over hers and Mike’s. “So, are we going to be a real family?” Lisa looked from her to Mike, then back.
Josie thought her heart might burst to overflowing. “We already are, Lisa. We already are.”
Epilogue
Helium-filled balloons floated around the diner. A huge Congratulations banner hung outside on the front window. Mike was so proud of Josie that he wanted to shout it out loud.
Instead, he approached her and whispered in her ear. “Miss Josie Miller, owner and proprietor.” Then he kissed the new owner of Bud’s Diner. “Have I told you how proud I am?”
“Yes, about a dozen times. And I still can’t believe it’s really happened.”
“I can. You’ve worked hard and deserve it.”
“And to think, I did it without taking a penny from you or my parents.”
“Speaking of which…” He nodded in the direction of both sets of parents. “Should we tell them about our plans?”
“Yes, but let’s tell Lisa and Bud first.”
They found Lisa at the grill watching Bud fry a hamburger. He carefully explained when to press and when to flip. Mike couldn’t thank God enough for bringing all of them together. He was truly blessed.
“Hey, you two,” he said. “We’ve got some news.”
Lisa and Bud looked up from their cooking. “We already know,” Lisa said. “We figured it out last night.”
“Figured out what?” Josie asked.
“That you two are going to get married,” she said.
Bud mashed a sizzling burger. “We’re more observant than you think.”
“And how did you figure this out, Mr. and Miss Smarty-pants?”
“You wouldn’t get a sign made that says Josie Miller, Owner,” Lisa said with a smirk on her face. “So I assumed you were waiting to get one made that says Josie Throckmorton, Owner.”
“Pretty good reasoning,” Mike said. “Maybe you have the mind of a banker, after all.”
Lisa snorted. “No, thanks.”
Bud crossed his arms. “So when’s the big day?”
“What big day?” Mike’s mom asked, butting into the conversation. Before they knew it, everyone had gathered around.
Mike stared into the chocolate-brown eyes of his future bride. He ran his hands through her soft hair, trying to tame the wild mess. It was hopeless. And he loved every single renegade curl.
“In exactly one hour, you’re all invited to attend our wedding at the little chapel up the road.”
The crowd cheered. All the noise faded into the background as he kissed the future Mrs. Josie M. Throckmorton.
“My crazy family will finally be official,” Lisa said. “And it’s about time.”
“Yeah, Mike, it’s about time.” Josie laughed, all her love shining in her expression.
“Hey, I’ve been asking you for weeks. Don’t be telling me ‘about time,’ you stubborn woman.”
“I did say yes, didn’t I?” She winked at him, then said, “Come here, Lisa.” She kept one arm wrapped around his waist as she pulled Lisa into their embrace.
The three of them hugged, and Mike knew he’d never had a more perfect moment.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-1300-9
HER UNLIKELY FAMILY
Copyright © 2008 by Melissa L. Tippens
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Her Unlikely Family Page 21