Thinking of her impending motherhood to two daughters brought a new round of tears, and Becky sprang into action, dabbing lightly so as to not mess with the perfect makeup her stepsister Norah had applied.
A knock at the door sounded, and the two women turned to see a dark head sliding in.
“You ready?”
Tabby smiled at Sam. “I feel like I have been ready for this day my whole life, only I was convinced it would never come.”
Becky slid out, grabbing her bouquet of mountain laurel. “See ya in a few.”
Sam kissed her cheek. “Anyone who ever saw you and Eli together knew that, if given the chance, something magical could happen. Maybe that is what Isaiah and Maisie were doing when they named you two guardians. Creating the chance for magic to bloom.”
“Darn it, Sam, I just got myself calmed down. When did you get so mushy?”
Sam shrugged as a blush crossed his face, a face nearly identical to the man she would spend the rest of her life with. “I’ve always been mushy. Just don’t tell anyone.”
She rose up on her tiptoes and bussed his cheek. “You’re going to make some woman incredibly happy one day.”
He laughed. “Nah, I think I’m destined for bachelorhood. I mean, who else will keep this family in tip-top shape as it expands?”
He ducked back out of the small room and left Tabby alone. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled, her hand rubbing over her belly. She was rewarded with a sharp jab. “You two settle down for the ceremony and I promise lots of goodies afterward.”
Two swift kicks and she took that to mean an agreement. Grabbing her bouquet off the small side table, she left the room and stepped into the bright mountain sunshine. Becky, Norah, and Sam stood together under the shelter of a tree.
“Lead me to my groom.”
The walk to the small chapel took less than a minute, the breeze lifting the lace veil behind her. Sam squeezed her hands and went inside to pick up his guitar. Becky and Norah flitted around her, adjusting and tweaking until she swatted them away. “If you two don’t stop, I’ll give birth before I’m married.”
They laughed but ceased their fussing, and Norah walked up the steps and waved. The opening strains of “I Love the Way You Love Me” filtered out, and Tabby smiled as first Norah then Becky made their way down the small aisle. She stepped up to the double doors and looked at the man who would love her for the rest of her days. Whose support and guidance and faith in her had paved the way for them to love one another. She glanced at the stained glass window and said a small prayer for those who weren’t there, and then she made her way toward Eli.
…
Eli swallowed the lump in his throat and brushed his cheek, the moisture sliding away on his thumb. Tabby was a vision of loveliness. From the simple dress sprinkled with green leaves to the ring of pale pink flowers anchoring her veil, she glowed.
She marched steadily down the aisle to him as Sam plucked out the simple melody. The church was full of only their family and dearest friends. Neither he nor Tabby had wanted the spectacle of joining two of the richest families in Gatlinburg. This wasn’t about fame or money. Theirs was a story of love.
She reached him and smiled, tears spilling down onto pinkened cheeks. She handed her bouquet to Becky, and he grabbed her hands, planting a kiss on each of them.
The service was short and simple. Nothing but two people pledging their love and commitment to one another and the future generations of their respective families.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Tabby ducked her head, and Eli stepped forward and slid his hands onto her cheeks. “I love you, Tabitha Ellis.” The kiss was too simple and sweet for his liking, but the guests sighed all the same.
“I love you, too,” Tabby said and wiped her thumb across his cheek, collecting the tears they both were shedding.
Hand in hand, they left the church and stepped into the Smoky Mountain air. Eli hugged his wife and dropped a kiss on her head. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Tabby asked, her eyes growing misty gain.
“For being my reason to stay.”
Epilogue
Tabby snapped the bottom of the onesie closed and kissed the baby girl’s forehead. She was rewarded with kicking legs and shaking fists.
“Iris-Lin is good to go. Clean diaper, clean outfit, and a smile.” Eli scooped up the other little girl and held her close to his chest. “Who knew babies smelled so good?”
Tears welled, and she wiped them away. “You hear that Maisie? Uncle Eli thinks you smell good. I think that is a challenge.”
Scooping up her other niece, she and Eli headed downstairs. The babies had come a month early but were thriving, and there wasn’t a day that went by that Tabby didn’t thank God for their health and the blessing for both families.
Today, they would celebrate their first Thanksgiving.
“Don’t forget the skirts,” Tabby said, and Eli rolled his eyes.
“Becky gave them these outfits, and they will be wearing them. Even if only long enough for your sister to see.”
Eli huffed but picked up the two tutus and added them to the mountain of stuff by the door.
Tabby buckled up Iris-Lin then Maisie and tucked blankets around them. She paused and followed Eli’s efficient movements through the kitchen. He had gathered the bottles and formula and now counted diapers before expertly packing them into the diaper bag.
She thought back to the moment on the pond where she had wondered how she would manage two babies and all their stuff on her own.
Two hands made the world of difference. Two hands that loved her and cared for her and supported her through all the changes and challenges the end of her pregnancy had brought and then the births.
Would she have managed? Yes. But her life and the twins’ lives were richer and more rounded because they had both her and Eli.
“What’s wrong?” Eli asked.
She smiled. “Counting some more blessings.”
Eli put the stuff down and crossed over to her wrapping her up in his arms. “I love you, too.”
“I didn’t—”
His lips came down on hers, nibbling the corners, teasing little moans from her. He stopped and leaned his forehead against hers. “You didn’t have to. Your love was written on your face.” He kissed her nose. “Now hurry up or we are going to be late and Sam will eat all the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes.”
Tabby swatted his butt and scooped up the carrier with Maisie in it. Eli slid a bag on each arm, grabbed Iris-Lin’s carrier, and they maneuvered out the door and to the large SUV Tabby had been forced to buy.
…
Eli hadn’t even set Iris-Lin down before Norah and Lydia had pounced. Becky was avidly trying to unbuckle Maisie from her seat while Tabby still held on.
“It’s nice to see everyone, too.”
Lucas and Caleb laughed, each with a whiskey in their hand. “Second fiddle not sitting well on your shoulders, brother dear?”
“I’m sure you could share a tip or two, Caleb.”
He punched his brother on the arm and looked around. “Where’s Sam?”
Caleb and Lucas exchanged a glance.
“He’s working,” Becky said, staring dreamily at her niece sleeping peacefully in her arms.
Eli looked to Caleb and Lucas both wearing frowns. “It’s Thanksgiving.”
Caleb set his drink down. “Ever since everything became final a couple weeks ago, he has barely stopped. Little sleep, eighteen-hour days in Dad’s office or on site somewhere.”
“Well, today is for family,” Eli muttered and stomped off to find his twin.
He hadn’t expected to see a disheveled version of himself surrounded by empty coffee cups and stacks of paper.
“It’s Thanksgiving, Sam. Tabby and the babies are waiting f
or you, and so is everyone else.”
Sam barely looked up. “I’ll be out in a bit.”
Eli rounded the desk and put a hand down on the paper in Sam’s hand. “No. Now. Nothing is so important that it cannot wait until tomorrow. The business will not fail in six hours.”
Sam turned a heartbreaking gaze his way. “Fine.”
They went back into the living room, and Eli poured his brother drink. Sam settled next to Tabby and Norah and stared at Maisie.
Laughter combined with conversation. Becky rocked Iris-Lin from side to side while Lucas and Malcolm cheered some football on the TV. Eli’s chest grew tight, and his eyes burned.
This was a moment he wouldn’t trade for the world. It may have been tragedy that brought him home and allowed him to open his eyes, but through the grief, he was granted gifts beyond what he deserved.
Tabby met his gaze and got up.
“You okay?” She hugged him.
“I’m thankful.”
She kissed his cheek and turned to look at their combined families initiating another generation into the holiday traditions.
“Me, too.”
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Acknowledgments
To Heath, for your unconditional support and love. It’s a dream come true living our happy ever after.
To my girls, keep reaching for your dreams and keep inspiring me to reach for mine. Love you.
To my editor, Erin, thank you for all the support and input you provide. It has been a joy working with you, and I look forward to continuing with many more books.
To Judy, keep shining on, you amazing person. Thank you for your guidance and inspiration.
To everyone at Entangled Publishing, it is an immense joy and pleasure to work with each of you in producing the best book possible. Thank you for your support and hard work.
To my parents, I miss you every day. Thank you for sharing the magic of the Smokies all those years ago.
About the Author
Contemporary romance author Jennifer Hoopes lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters. Stories have been in her head for as long as she recognized every person had one, and figuring out how two people meet and fall in love makes for a rewarding dream job. When not writing, she wears the many mom hats of PTO, dance, and music, all while driving a mean mom-taxi. She loves caramel and roller coasters, plays a solo version of Carpool Karaoke, and cannot live without coffee and Jane Austen adaptations.
Also by Jennifer Hoopes…
Her Cowboy’s Promise
The Cowboy’s Homecoming Surprise
The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby
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