by Cindi Madsen
He had no doubts that she loved him or Bailey Rae. They were a family, and now he just wanted to make it official.
“Call me when she says yes,” Lori said, and he appreciated her certainty.
His nerves did jumping jacks in his gut as he and Bailey Rae set up the table with red-and-pink candles—lit this time, since he’d be watching them. His daughter set the roses in the vase, and for a moment, he wondered if it was weird that it looked like Valentine’s Day had thrown up in here at the end of May.
But the school play had changed everything, and the next day—which had officially been Valentine’s Day—had been their first official day together.
“She’s here,” Bailey Rae said, letting the curtains fall over the window. “Are you sure I shouldn’t go in my room for the beginning? I don’t mind.”
When he’d told his daughter about his plans and they discussed all the details, she’d offered to go to Lori’s or the Townsends’ so he and Jemma could have some privacy. He’d gone back and forth because he knew children weren’t traditionally involved in this part. But it’d been a long time since they’d done things the traditional way, so he’d figured, why start now?
Wyatt walked over and gave his daughter’s shoulder an affectionate pat. “I want you to be here. More than that, I’m sure Jemma would want you here.”
Bailey Rae nodded over and over, and he had a feeling he wasn’t the only nervous one.
Heeled footsteps sounded on the porch steps—Jemma didn’t care that high heels didn’t really go with ranching. Not that she went out to the field with them, but…
Focus, Wyatt.
The quick knock was followed by her walking in. “Hey, guys, I’m…” Her gaze moved to the table. She turned to him and Bailey Rae. “What’s going on? It’s a little early for dinner.”
“That’s why I just got drinks.”
“Drinks by candlelight.” Jemma stepped forward and kissed him. “And you say you’re not fancy.” She grinned at Bailey Rae. “Hey, sweetheart. How was your day?”
“Good.” Bailey grabbed one of the cardboard cups and extended it to Jemma. “Now take a sip of your drink.”
Jemma’s eyebrows scrunched together, but she accepted the proffered cup. After taking a pull from the straw, she pressed her lips together. “Chocolate and…” She took another sip. “Cinnamon. Is this what I think it is?”
Bailey Rae was creating the distraction, just like they’d talked about, keeping Jemma’s focus on her. “Yep. The Wymma is back. Limited time only.”
“That’s so weird,” Jemma said with a tilt of her head. “I mean, I guess April serves coffee year ‘round, but with the hot chocolate part of it, the Wymma seems like such a winter drink.”
“Sometimes things you think will only last the winter actually last much longer,” Bailey Rae said, giving him a sidelong glance to make sure he was ready. He was down on one knee, box in hand. “Right, Dad?”
“Right,” he said, and Jemma glanced at him.
Did a double take.
Then her jaw dropped.
Wyatt opened up the ring box, revealing the engagement ring his daughter had helped him pick out. “Jemma Monroe, you know I love you. These past few months have been the best months of my life. From the first moment you stormed into my life, I knew I’d never be the same.”
“Technically,” she said, “your horse and then you stormed into my life.”
He grinned and shook his head. “I had a whole speech prepared. Are you gonna let me finish it?”
“For sure. I just might correct some of the parts.”
He laughed, the love he felt for Jemma coursing through him and making his heart swell. Not only did she constantly challenge him and help him through good days and bad, he enjoyed their back-and-forth teasing, knowing love was behind that too.
He cleared his throat so he could get on with his speech. “Jemma, I love that you never stop learning. That you’re smart and kind and you make me laugh. You make me happier than I ever thought would be possible. Bailey Rae and I were hoping you’d join our family in a more permanent capacity. The forever happily ever after kind.”
Unshed tears made her eyes glisten. She reached out and squeezed Bailey Rae’s hand, and then she stepped forward so she was standing right in front of him. “I just signed a contract to teach third grade next year, so I’ll definitely be around.”
“Is that a yes?”
She smiled and bit her lower lip, glee radiating off her. “Of course it’s a yes.”
He slipped the diamond ring on her finger before standing and pulling her into his arms. She hugged him back, embracing him tightly and healing every last part of him. “I can’t wait to get started on our forever happily ever after.”
“Me neither,” he said.
They shared a kiss, and then they both turned to Bailey Rae.
Jemma opened her arms, and Bailey lunged at her, arms equally as wide. They hugged and talked over one another about dresses and flowers and how summer would be the perfect time to get married if they could put everything together that quickly.
Jemma gestured for him to come and get in on the hugging action. He happily did as requested, holding them tight.
“After the wedding, can I call you Mom?” Bailey Rae asked.
Jemma smoothed Bailey Rae’s hair off her forehead and kissed her. “As far as I’m concerned, you can start calling me Mom now.”
In that moment, Wyatt recalled the times Jemma had been over with them, and how nice it’d be to be a family. With his biggest wish coming true, he realized how wise his daughter had been when she’d said some things were worth the risk.
And love was at the very top of that list.
The End
Acknowledgments
Since this book is all about a small town cowboy, I guess I should thank my parents for raising me as a farm girl. I loved growing up in a tight-knit community with so many people who cared and took me in…even if they did know a little too much about every move I made.
With every book, the people who always sacrifice and support me the most are the members of my family. To my husband and my kids, thank you for being so supportive, even if I switch books and plotlines partway through conversations without telling you. And extra thanks to Brody for helping me with some of the classroom scenes, and for letting me borrow your name. I also named a few other characters after my daughters. Bailey Rae’s sense of fashion came from Sydney at that age, and Kylie really would be the first to step up and look at an animal or creature in class. She’s also my very own Rory Gilmore IRL.
I also put my sisters Randa and April in here—well, used their names. Thanks to Randa for sharing her experiences as a grade school teacher, including the snake story, my husband for adding another teacher perspective, and to April for letting me make her a gossip, even though she’s far from one.
Thanks to the entire staff at Hallmark Publishing. To my editor, Stacey Donovan: thank you for taking a chance on me, working with me, and getting my voice. It’s been a pleasure. Thanks also to Rhonda and Teresa for your input, and to the cover designer and formatters, and everyone else on the Hallmark team who helps my book get into readers’ hands.
Shout out to my agent of awesomeness, Nicole Resciniti. You’re a rock star, and I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for my career. Thank you for your guidance and perseverance and for comforting me when my world’s on fire. Xoxo.
Gina L. Maxwell and Rebecca Yarros, I adore you. Thank you for always being there to talk plotlines and answer editing questions and to make me laugh when I need it most. I love our very structured Monday morning video meetings and how we can attend in our yoga pants. I don’t even have words for how grateful I am to have you both in my life.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to my readers for supporting my books and sending me messag
es that keep me going. Find me on Facebook, where you can tag along on my adventures, including burning my dinners, experiencing lots of mom fails, and managing to generate a whole lot of awkwardness.
And thank you, dear reader, for picking up this book. You help make dreams come true.
Classic Italian Lasagna
A Hallmark Original Recipe
In Country Hearts, Jemma tells Wyatt, “If you’re hungry, I’m about to pop one of the only meals I can make in the oven—premade lasagna that I only have to stab and warm up. It’s kinda my specialty.” But anyone can make our easy homemade version, and it’s so delicious, it might become your specialty. It’ll convince everyone that you know your way around a kitchen. (It freezes well, too!)
Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2½ hours
Total Time: 3 hours
INGREDIENTS
12 lasagna noodles, no-bake or cooked al dente, drained
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
Italian Meat Sauce:
1 (1-pound 3-ounce) package sweet Italian sausage, bulk or links, casing removed
1-pound ground chuck
1 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cans (28-ounce each) crushed tomatoes with tomato juice
1 can (15-ounce) tomato sauce
1 can (14½-ounce) chicken broth
2 sprigs fresh basil (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon black pepper
Ricotta Mixture:
3 cups ricotta cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup finely chopped Italian parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
1 large egg, beaten
DIRECTIONS
To prepare Italian meat sauce: in a large casserole pot or Dutch oven, brown Italian sausage and ground chuck over medium heat, breaking apart meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain excess fat.
Return meat to pot; add olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper; cook over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, fresh basil, salt, sugar and black pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally, until meat sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning; set aside to cool.
To prepare ricotta mixture: in a large bowl, thoroughly mix ricotta, Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil and egg; set aside.
To assemble lasagna: preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spread 2 cups Italian meat sauce in the bottom of a large 11-by-14-inch baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over sauce. Spread one-half of the ricotta mixture evenly over noodles. Top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 2 cups Italian meat sauce. Repeat with a second layer of 4 lasagna noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 2 cups Italian meat sauce. Top with 4 lasagna noodles, remaining Italian meat sauce and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake lasagna for 45 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. (Cover top loosely with foil if cheese is browning too fast.) Remove from oven. Let lasagna rest for 20 minutes before slicing.
To serve: using a serrated knife, slice lasagna into 12 portions. Top evenly with grated Parmesan cheese.
For quick and easy lasagna noodle prep: arrange lasagna noodles in a baking dish, slowly pour boiling water over noodles, cover with foil or film wrap and let soak for 20 minutes or until pliable.
Thanks so much for reading Country Hearts. We hope you enjoyed it!
You might like these other books
from Hallmark Publishing:
A Country Wedding
Love on Location
The Secret Ingredient
Moonlight in Vermont
Beach Wedding Weekend
Love at the Shore
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About the Author
Cindi Madsen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a pretty new pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music and dancing and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband, three children, an overly dramatic tomcat, and an adorable one-eyed kitty named Agent Fury.