Baby Dreams in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 13)
Page 7
Marigold whirled. The sudden motion had Caleb’s eyes popping open.
“They’re called candy cane geraniums.” Gladys shifted her gaze from the flowers to the baby. A soft smile lifted her lips. “Hello, Caleb. Aren’t you the handsome boy? I love your blue hat.”
Marigold beamed as if Gladys had given her the compliment. “I hope you’re on your way to Ami’s, because this little guy and I are ready to party with you.”
“Wouldn’t miss it. I have my gift right here.” Gladys patted the colorful bag looped over her shoulder.
“You didn’t need to bring another gift,” Marigold protested. “The quilt you gave Caleb when we brought him home is amazing and more than enough.”
“A child can’t have too many presents or too much love.” Gladys lightly stroked the baby’s back.
“I told Cade this morning that I can’t believe we started June childless, and we’ll end the month with a baby in our arms and one on the way.” Despite knowing this was real life and not a big-screen musical, Marigold had to fight the urge to burst into song and dance down the sidewalk.
“This is only the start of the big changes coming your way.” Gladys’s comment rang like a prophecy.
Marigold frowned. She’d never been a fan of cryptic comments, and she didn’t appreciate vague hints. Especially from a woman many believed could see into the future.
“That’s the second time you’ve said something like that to me. You need to spell out exactly what you mean, Gladys. You’re scaring me. Are you referring to us having two babies or something else?”
Gladys’s pale blue eyes glittered. “Two babies. Yes. That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”
Marigold expelled the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Gladys smiled and, with an ease born of decades of experience, changed the subject. “Your husband was wise to meet with Beck and review the adoption documents ahead of time.”
“I didn’t realize that’s what their meeting was about until we were presented with the legal forms in the hospital. Cade told me the wording had already been reviewed by Beck.” Marigold recalled that day at Muddy Boots when she’d seen Cade and Beck emerge from the back. Those worries now seemed a lifetime ago.
“Listen to the music.” Gladys cocked her head as Ami and Beck’s home came into view. “And if I’m not mistaken, that’s Ruby laughing like a hyena.”
Sounds of community. People coming together. All ages. Laughing. Talking. Celebrating.
Marigold paused outside the black wrought-iron gate. Inside the fence were her people, her village.
Like a video playing in slow motion, she saw her years at the Chicago salon where she’d built her reputation as a premier hairstylist. Images of her return to Good Hope and falling in love with Cade had a smile lifting her lips.
More than her family had embraced her return. The community had rallied and supported her when she’d opened her own salon.
Now, change had come again, this time in the form of the eight-pound, eleven-ounce baby boy sleeping against her chest. And in the form of a tiny embryo—now as big as a raspberry—growing inside her.
Her business would soon expand as she and Charlotte forged a partnership for Marigold’s Golden Door Salon and Day Spa, an arrangement that would leave Marigold with more time for family and friends.
“Sometimes I want to pinch myself. This is like one big, amazing dream.” Marigold expelled a happy sigh. “I’ve been blessed beyond what I could have imagined.”
“You and Cade are going to fill that big home of yours with children.” Gladys shot her a wink. “I firmly believe you’re up to the challenge.”
“I appreciate your confidence. I’ll certainly do my best.”
“Marigold.”
She turned toward the sound of her name. Her three sisters hurried across the lawn toward her. As she waved at them, out of the corner of her eye she saw her husband’s cruiser pull to the curb.
When he stepped out and smiled, a warm feeling of thankfulness enveloped Marigold, and she knew she was right where she was meant to be.
Building a life with the man she loved.
Surrounded by family she adored.
Embraced by friends who understood and accepted her.
Forging a business path that gave her pride and satisfaction.
Marigold gazed down at the baby who snuggled against her, his tiny rosebud of a mouth moving in sleep.
All her dreams, down to the last one, were coming true in Good Hope.
Cade slid an arm around her shoulders. He smiled. “Who’s ready to party?”
Check out the other books in the Good Hope series here.
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About the Author
When Cindy Kirk was sixteen she wrote in her diary: “I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t be a writer.” After her daughter went to college, she returned to her passion and jumped straight into composing book-length fiction. She loves reading and writing romance novels because she believes in the undeniable power of love and in the promise of the happily ever after. Kirk creates characters who grow and learn from their mistakes while achieving happy endings in the process.
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