Josie’s flip-flops slapped against the wooden planks as she crossed the footbridge over the marsh that led to the private beach. Ocean breezes feathered the leafy palm branches and rustled the sea grasses growing out of the dunes.
Adjusting ten-month-old Noah on her left hip, Josie stopped to kick off her flip-flops and hooked them over her fingers. A seagull landed on the sand next to the beach blanket she had spread out a while ago. Noah squealed, scaring away the bird.
Josie knelt on the blanket and sat her son under the striped umbrella, adjusting his hat and sunglasses. He gave her a drooling toothy grin and pumped his chubby arms. He leaned forward, sprawled on the blanket and grabbed a handful of sand, bringing it to his mouth.
“Oh, Noah, if you eat the sand, then Sissy won’t have enough for her sand castle.” She dug through the beach bag for the baby wipes and cleaned off his face and hands.
He let out a yelp and twisted in her arms.
Nick strolled over from the sand castle engineering and scooped Noah in his arms. “Hey, buddy, giving your mom a hard time?”
“He wouldn’t be a Brennan male if he didn’t, would he?”
“Hey, we all have our callings in life.” Nick stretched out next to Josie and settled Noah on his chest. “Besides, you wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Josie handed Noah a plastic sea horse teether, which he shoved in his mouth. “Of course not.”
She rolled onto her stomach and rested her chin on her hands to watch Hannah and Ross with their sand castle creation. Her gaze swept the shore and the peaceful waves that lapped at the sand.
The past two years had been some of the toughest of her life, but with God, Nick and prayers from family and friends, they weathered the storms. Nonna always said, “God may not calm the storm. Sometimes He calms the child.” He became the anchor she needed when they counted down Hannah’s days after the transplant—from day zero to day one hundred when she was released from the hospital. With her leukemia in remission, Hannah was making a full recovery.
She peered over her shoulder to find Noah sleeping on his daddy’s chest. Nick kept a protective hand on the little guy’s back. His other arm supported his head. He nodded toward Hannah and Ross. “So you think she’s pleased with her birthday present?”
“You’ve always given her extravagant gifts.” Josie smiled to let him know she was teasing.
Nick raised an eyebrow. “I think this was something we all needed.”
“You’re so right.” Josie shifted to a sitting position and patted Noah’s back. “I’m not looking forward to flying home with Mr. Crankypants sleeping on your chest.”
“Hey, if you were teething, you wouldn’t want to fly, either. At least we have nine more days before we leave. He’ll be fine. And you know I’ve got your back. I’ve been thinking—perhaps Noah needs a playmate.”
“Well, Lindsey and Stephen’s next one is due next month.” She grinned and touched her stomach. She suspected Nick was going to get his wish sooner than he expected.
He nudged her with his foot. “You’re a funny lady, Josephina Brennan.”
She released the clip from her hair and let it spill over her shoulders. She grinned and batted her lashes. “How about in seven months?”
Nick sat up quickly, shifting Noah to the cradle in his arm. “Are you serious?”
“I know how much you love being spoiled on Father’s Day. Just giving you another reason to celebrate. Of course I’m serious.”
Nick’s goofy grin dislodged a giggle from her throat. Her heart swelled with joy. She’d come a long way from that panic that had cinched her chest when she’d learned she was pregnant with Hannah. She adored her family, especially since Nick was such a hands-on father. Teaching part-time at a local university and working at Hannah’s Hope didn’t keep him from spending time with Hannah and Noah.
“As long as they take after you, June bug, I’m totally fine with it.” He brushed his lips across hers.
“And if they take after you?”
“Heaven help us all.” Nick wrapped an arm around Josie and tugged her back until she sat against his chest. His head rested on top of her head.
She sighed as a breeze blew across her face and danced with her hair. Closing her eyes, she lifted her face to be kissed by the sun’s rays.
When Josie learned she wasn’t a match for Hannah, she had been forced to find Nick. He turned out to be the miracle she had been praying for, proving God says no for the right reasons. His provision overflowed her heart with joy. By learning to trust in Him, she’d found her happily ever after with the one man she had never wanted to see again. But he was the only one who could cherish her heart and bring them together as a family.
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If you enjoyed Lisa Jordan’s book, be sure to check out the other books this month from Love Inspired!
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Keep reading for an excerpt of The Promise of Home by Kathryn Springer!