His Two Little Blessings

by Mia Ross

Was it? she asked herself. Ever since their disastrous conversation at the bakery, she’d wrestled with the choice he’d presented her, trying desperately to come up with an answer she felt good about. One minute she thought she’d never leave her hometown. The next she thought a new challenge was just what she needed. And that if she didn’t take this shot at this point in her life, she wouldn’t get another chance at it.

  But for now she simply addressed the question he’d asked. “Sure. That’s fine.”

  Even she heard the tepid nature of her voice, and judging by Rick’s tight smile, he heard it, too. “Then I guess we’ll see you later.”

  He turned and began striding away, his long legs making short work of the distance to the hallway. Emma opened her mouth to call him back, then closed it before she had a chance to make a complete fool of herself. Rick’s dream was to run his own bank, and he’d worked hard to put himself in a position to make it come true. As a lifelong dreamer herself, she’d never do anything to ruin someone else’s.

  But as he left the gym, she wished that there was a way for them both to have what they wanted. Unfortunately, for them to be together, someone would have to give up something incredibly important to them. It was obvious to her that Rick had made his decision, and she was the last person who’d try to talk him out of it.

  Right now she had a celebration to enjoy. Or at least pretend to enjoy, she amended with a sigh before plastering a smile on her face and heading back to the kitchen for more treats. This was a big day for the kids, and she wasn’t going to spoil it by fixating on her grown-up problems.

  There would be plenty of time for that later when she was alone.

  * * *

  Rick understood that this wasn’t a full-on graduation ceremony, but he didn’t mind admitting that it was more emotional for him than he’d anticipated. He didn’t know if it was the other parents around him trading nostalgic comments about their kids’ first year of school or his awkward encounter with Emma, but he was definitely not his usual even-keeled self. Fortunately, Caitlin stopped to say hello on her way into the auditorium and pulled him out of the strange mood he was in.

  “I like your hat,” Aubrey said, hands folded in front of her politely while she admired the paper graduation hat Caitlin had decorated in Emma’s class. Complete with a tassel made of silver tinsel, it gave him a glimpse into the future when his girl would be graduating from high school. And then college. And then...

  Rick stopped himself before he had her married and a mother of three. Out of consideration for the very short attention span of the graduates, the lighthearted ceremony lasted about fifteen minutes. When it was over, the principal thanked everyone for coming and encouraged them to stop in for some treats before heading out. Then the kindergarteners filed out, waving to their families on their way into the gym.

  Caitlin met them there, and when she took off her hat and placed it on her younger sister’s head, Rick’s heart felt like it would burst with pride.

  “That was a nice thing to do,” he approved, hugging her around the shoulders proudly.

  “In a couple more years, you’ll have one of your own,” she told Aubrey.

  Beaming up at her, his youngest said, “And I’ll let you wear it.”

  “Thanks, Froggy.”

  “Sure. When you’re nice to people, they’re nice back, right, Emma?” she asked as the pretty teacher came over to join them.

  “That’s how it’s been for me, anyway.”

  Delighted to see her as usual, the girls wrapped her in a double hug, and she reached her arms around to bring them in closer. It didn’t take a genius to notice that the embrace went on longer than usual. Rick’s chest constricted a little at the sweet sight, knowing that in all likelihood it was the last moment like that they’d share.

  “We’re going to see Gramma and Grampa on Saturday,” Caitlin told Emma, clearly excited by the prospect. “We get to go on a big plane and everything.”

  “That sounds like fun. And much faster than walking all the way to South Carolina.”

  “Walking,” Aubrey echoed, laughing. “You’re so funny.”

  She really was, Rick acknowledged, remembering times when Emma’s sense of humor had not only surprised him but also lifted his spirits at the end of a tough day. That was how she’d endured her cancer and its grueling treatments, he knew. That and the faith she’d taught him to appreciate so much that he couldn’t imagine living without it again.

  “So your parents must be thrilled to have you coming home,” she commented, finally including him in the discussion.

  “Yeah, they are. I’m leaving the girls with them while I do some site work and find us a house. The movers will take care of this place and shipping my car, so that’s everything.”

  “I’d imagine being so organized helps make things easier.”

  It felt like he was having this discussion with a mildly interested stranger instead of a woman he’d grown so fond of over the past couple of months. She’d done so much for him and his girls, he thought as the two of them raced away for some of Ellie’s kid-friendly finger food. He couldn’t leave without finding out what he’d done to sour everything just when the future seemed to be coming together for them.

  Stepping closer, he kept his voice low to avoid having anyone eavesdrop. “Emma, I know this isn’t the right time, but I have to ask. What did I do wrong?”

  “Nothing.” At first, she seemed prepared to leave it at that, then continued in a sad murmur. “You’re a great guy, but I think you and I want different things out of life. It’s better to find that out now rather than later, don’t you think?”

  “Is this about the Franklin job? Because you don’t have to interview for it if you don’t want to. I promise, I wasn’t trying to pressure you into doing anything you’re not ready for.”

  “I know.” Patting his arm, she gave him a melancholy smile. “We need more punch, so I’m going to go mix up some more. Have a good trip.”

  As she walked away from him, Rick couldn’t help feeling that there was something he could do to smooth things over between them.

  But for the life of him, he couldn’t imagine what it might be.

  * * *

  It was a beautiful day at the end of June, and during her morning walk, it occurred to Emma that her leisurely tours of the town just weren’t the same anymore.

  Emma sighed as she rounded the corner that led to her house, reminding herself that letting Rick go had been the best option for both of them. Since making that fateful choice in the middle of the school gym, she’d alternated between gloomy and regretful, finally landing on resigned. Because she trusted in God’s wisdom, but she was still human enough to wish that things might have gone differently for them. She was also human enough to question why He’d brought them together only to allow them to break apart later on.

  Approaching her front yard, she was surprised to see someone sitting on the steps, scrolling through screens on a cell phone. When her visitor lifted his head, she let out a shriek that got her neighbor’s beagle barking.

  “Rick!” Without thinking, she broke into a run and threw herself into his arms as he stood. Recovering a bit, she pulled back and tried to remember that she was supposedly an adult. “I thought you were in South Carolina. What are you doing here?”

  “I figured out what I did wrong.”

  “What?”

  Wrapping his arms around her, he reeled her in for a kiss that literally took her breath away. When he broke the kiss, he drew back but kept her neatly circled in his arms. “I love you, Emma, and I don’t want a life without you in it. Here, Charleston, Jupiter, where we are doesn’t matter to me, as long as we’re together.”

  Her heart soared at those words, and she felt as if her face would split open with the smile she couldn’t contain. “I love you, too, and I’m so glad you came back. I was starting to thin
k I made a huge mistake in giving up on us the way I did.”

  “Well, now,” he drawled, flashing her the roguish grin she adored. “That’s good to hear, because the girls and I have a question for you.”

  Pausing, he nodded to something behind her, and Emma turned to find Caitlin and Aubrey emerging from behind the trunk of the massive tree in her front yard. They came forward, stopping on either side of their father in a sweet group that brought tears to her eyes.

  And then Rick went down on one knee, holding up the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. “We love you, Emma Calhoun. Will you marry us?”

  Emotion clogged her throat, and she couldn’t speak, so she simply nodded. She ignored the tears streaming down her cheeks as he slid the ring onto her finger and raised her hand to his lips for a kiss. After a moment she finally found her voice. Gazing at him, this wonderful man who’d faced down his own demons to love her, she cradled his cheek in her hand and smiled.

  “I love you, too. All of you,” she added, reaching out to gather his daughters into the circle.

  “We’re going to make an awesome family,” Caitlin announced confidently.

  “You know what?” Emma said, laughing. “I think you’re right.”

  Epilogue

  Rick wore a tie to work every day, but this morning for some reason, his fingers wouldn’t work properly. He stood in front of the full-length cheval mirror in one of Ellie’s pretty guest rooms, sighing as he undid the knot—again—and started over.

  A low chuckle sounded in the doorway, and he angled a look over his shoulder to find three Calhouns dressed in their Sunday best staring in at him.

  “Are you new at this or what?” Brian teased, sauntering into the room with his usual confident stride.

  “I never wear those things,” Jordan chimed in as he sprawled out across the foot of the bed in the kind of casual pose that seemed to be wired into his laid-back personality. “They’re a pain.”

  “Holly did mine for me,” Sam said, motioning for Rick to spin around to face him. “You can copy hers if you want.”

  “Very funny,” Rick shot back, turning to look in the mirror. Then again, it wasn’t the worst idea he’d heard, even if its purpose was to make fun of him. “Is she up here, by any chance?”

  “Downstairs wrangling the kids into place,” his tall brother-in-law-to-be informed him. “Seeing as Emma’s kinda busy.”

  “It’s been like that all month,” Rick complained, although he couldn’t help smiling. “She’s always wanted an outdoor fall wedding, and when she’s not putting together favors for the guests, she’s been glued to the weather forecasts. I know Ellie has room for everyone indoors, but I’m glad we got such a nice day.”

  “I’m glad we can finally stop monkeying with the backyard,” Jordan groaned. “I’ve done enough mowing, planting, weeding and raking to last me a long time.”

  “Hey, you wanted to come home,” Brian chided, tossing a throw pillow at his head.

  “Yeah, I did. Now that we’ve got baby Henry with us, I’m surer than ever that it was the right decision.”

  Rick remembered that new-father feeling, equal parts pride and joy, knowing that all of a sudden he was responsible for the well-being of a tiny, helpless person. “Where you raise your kids makes a huge difference in their lives. My girls love it here, and I’m sure Henry and his future siblings will, too.”

  “It’s a great place to grow up, that’s for sure,” Jordan agreed, rolling off the bed to get to his feet. “I’m gonna go check on Ainsley, so I’ll see you guys downstairs.”

  After he’d gone, Rick got the impression that there had been some kind of secret signal among the cousins that had prompted the lanky artisan to leave. Bracing himself for whatever might be coming, he faced Emma’s protective older brothers squarely. “Something you want to say?”

  “He’s good,” Brian commented, motioning for Sam to go ahead.

  In his usual direct way, the former Ranger got right to the point. “In the past, we’ve given you a hard time on occasion.”

  “Every occasion,” Rick corrected him good-naturedly.

  A slow grin worked its way across Sam’s features, and he went on, “But it’s easy to see how much Emma means to you, and we’ve never seen her happier. So we just wanted to officially welcome you to the family.”

  He held out a large hand scarred from countless scrapes and knocks, and Rick accepted the gesture without hesitation. Working with Brian on his business had netted them a friendly camaraderie, but Sam had always been more of an enigma for him. While Steve and Melinda had accepted him easily, it was Sam he’d always wondered about. Now that he knew where they stood, he felt his jangled nerves settling nicely into place.

  “All right, then,” he announced, rubbing his hands together eagerly. “Let’s go have the kind of wedding Emma’s always wanted.”

  Because he couldn’t possibly choose between them, the two brothers were his best men. Pastor Welch was already in the yard that Jordan had put so much effort into, standing under an intricate arbor Jordan had made and Ainsley had strung with garlands of fall flowers. The charming setting was flanked by two rows of chairs from the church with a wide aisle in between. A white runner ran up the opening, and he smiled when he saw Chase escorting his famous grandmother to a seat right up front.

  Daphne paused on the nearly full bride’s side, then glanced back at Rick with a thoughtful expression. Granting him an almost playful smile, she walked over to the groom’s side and sat down next to his parents. Their eyes widened in surprise when they recognized the retired film star, and nearly popped out of their heads when she introduced herself to them as if they had no clue who she was.

  As he walked past her on his way up to the lectern, he leaned in and whispered, “Thank you.”

  She waved off his thanks but winked at him as if she understood how it felt to be outnumbered and in need of a little reassurance.

  Once everyone was in their seats, Mrs. Welch began playing a classical piece on her portable piano, and the guests turned, looking expectantly toward the back of the outdoor chapel. Caitlin came first, carrying her bouquet just so and looking incredibly grown up in the fluffy pink dress that seemed to float on the breeze. Taylor squealed in delight, and Lindsay hushed her, handing her a stuffed giraffe to keep her occupied.

  Ellie was stationed at the back, shepherding people in from the rear porch door as they emerged, and he wondered if she’d have to nudge Aubrey into place. To his relief, his not-so-shy youngest stepped forward on cue, smiling at each guest as she scattered red rose petals on her way to the front, where matron of honor Holly gave her a quick hug.

  Then the piano sounded those famous wedding chords, and everyone stood as Emma appeared with her parents on either side of her. She paused for a moment, looking up into the flawless autumn sky with a grateful smile. She mouthed a “Thank You,” and Rick silently added his sentiments to hers.

  God had answered so many of his prayers recently, sometimes Rick wondered what he’d done to deserve that kind of grace. But as his future wife made her way up the aisle to stand beside him, the only thoughts he had were of her and the life they were about to have.

  Steve and Melinda each hugged her before stepping back and sitting with the rest of their clan. He noticed them exchanging looks with his parents, who still seemed to be a little bewildered by the fact that Daphne Mills was sitting beside them at their son’s wedding.

  “Friends and family,” the pastor began, holding out his arms to include everyone, “I want to welcome you to this beautiful day the Lord has granted us for this very joyous occasion. The joining of two remarkable people, Emma Calhoun and Richard Marshall.”

  Rick heard a giggle and out of the corner of his eye saw Aubrey cover her mouth with her hand while Caitlin elbowed her in the side. They didn’t often hear him referred to by his given name, and a
pparently it had struck her as funny. Not surprisingly, Emma smiled over at her, letting her know that her humorous outburst was okay with the bride.

  This was the woman he’d chosen to love for the rest of his life and help him raise his daughters, Rick thought fondly. If he’d kept searching for years, he couldn’t have possibly found anyone more perfect.

  After a brief homily about the solemn promise they were about to make to each other, the pastor took Emma’s wedding ring from Sam. Handing it to Rick, he asked, “Richard Allan Marshall, do you take this woman, Emma Jean Calhoun, as your lawfully wedded wife?”

  “I do,” he replied, sliding the band into place with her diamond.

  Handing Rick’s ring to her, he asked, “Emma Jean Calhoun, do you take this man, Richard Allan Marshall, to be your wedded husband?”

  “I do.”

  Once she gave Rick his ring, the pastor closed his Bible and announced, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Rick leaned in to do just that, but was interrupted by his suddenly impetuous daughters breaking free of Holly to circle Emma and him in a jubilant double hug.

  “We’re a family!” Caitlin exclaimed, tossing her bouquet in the air for whoever wanted it.

  “Daddy?”

  Hearing Aubrey’s voice, he bent down to pick her up, assuming she was feeling overwhelmed by all the excitement they’d had today. “Yes, sweetness?”

  “I’m hungry.”

  “That’s okay, because Grandma Ellie made us a fantastic lunch.”

  “Oh.” Clearly disappointed, she fixed him with one of those looks he could never seem to resist. “But it’s a special day. Can we have cake first?”

  Emma burst out laughing, and Rick threw his head back and laughed in a way that he was looking forward to doing a lot more of. Gazing over at his new wife, he cocked his head and grinned. “What do you think, Mrs. Marshall?”

  “I think it’s time for cake.”

  If their guests found the arrangement odd, no one said anything as they fell into line behind the new family and followed them to the linen-draped table that held the beautiful four-tier wedding cake Ellie had made for them.