Josh couldn’t stop staring at his wife. He missed her so much while she was gone and had no idea how he’d handle her new travel schedule once it started.
For now, he watched her sleep. Although it was long past time for him to be out of bed, he talked himself into staying beside her for a while longer.
Reluctantly, he slid out of bed, grabbed the jeans and T-shirt he’d left on the floor last night, pulled socks out of his chest of drawers, and softly shut the bedroom door. After dressing in the kitchen, he drank a glass of milk and ate a banana. In the mudroom, he tugged on his boots, picked up his gloves, and settled his ball cap on his uncombed hair.
He hurried outside and pushed the four-wheeler toward the barn so the noise of it starting wouldn’t wake Jenna. Finished with the morning chores and irrigating in record time, he decided he could swath a while before he returned to the house.
Josh made good time cutting two rounds around the outside of the field, creating a back swath, so he started swathing rows. As he neared the end of the windrow, he glanced at the position of the sun and decided he had better get back to the house or Jenna would have his head.
After shutting down the swather and rushing back to the house on the four-wheeler, he pulled up at the back door. He left his boots, gloves, and cap in the mudroom before washing up in the kitchen, expecting to find Jenna impatiently waiting. Instead, the house was eerily quiet.
A glimpse of the clock confirmed it was after nine. Since Jenna was usually an early riser, he was surprised to return to their bedroom and find her still sleeping. Exhausted from her trip, he didn’t have the heart to wake her. Josh removed his clothes and climbed back under the covers, snuggling close to Jenna. His eyes grew heavy and he soon joined her in slumber.
An annoying chirping sound woke Josh from his dreams. As he sat up in bed, he realized it was Jenna’s phone. He grabbed it off the nightstand and hurried into the bathroom. The caller ID showed the name Dennis Gillman. Josh had no idea who Dennis Gillman was but decided to answer.
“Jenna’s phone.”
“May I speak with Jenna?” A male voice asked, sounding annoyed and irritated.
“She isn’t available. May I help you?” Josh didn’t like the tone of the man’s voice.
“Tell her The Gillman called,” then the call disconnected.
Josh stared at the phone, wondering who “The Gillman” was to Jenna.
What a jerk.
Josh turned off the phone and walked into the bedroom, surprised to see the clock read ten-thirty. He set the phone on the nightstand and slid back into bed. He couldn’t remember ever lazing away a day in bed.
Lying on his side, he watched Jenna slowly awaken. She stretched and rolled on her side before opening her big brown eyes, staring at him for a moment before a smile spread across her face.
“Hi,” she whispered, reaching out a hand and placing it on his cheek.
“Hey, babe.” Josh smiled, gently rubbing his hand up and down her bare arm. “Are you feeling better today?”
“I feel great.” Jenna rolled over to glance at the clock. When she saw the time, she bolted upright in bed. “Good grief, Josh, you let me sleep away half the day. We’ll have to hurry if we’re going to run into the city, find a gift, and get back in time for dinner.”
She would have jumped out of bed but Josh pulled her back down.
“Let’s not get in too big of a hurry.” Josh’s voice was husky and enthralling as he trailed kisses along Jenna’s neck. “I bet Laken will have something perfect and then we won’t need to rush.”
“But Josh, what if she doesn’t, then we’ll really have to hustle and I…” Jenna lost her train of thought when Josh kissed her long and slow and sweet. Maybe the gift hunting would wait for a little while longer.
After they ate lunch, Jenna called On a Lark, a gift shop in the Tenacity Mall owned by Callan’s best friend, Laken Johnson. The three women sometimes got together and did fun things like manicures or shopping.
“On a Lark, this is Laken. May I help you?”
“Laken, this is Jenna. How are you?” Jenna asked.
“Great, Jenna. What can I do for you?” Laken knew Jenna wouldn’t call the store unless she needed something.
“I’m looking for a special gift for Audrey and Emma. I’m hoping you might have something in your store. I want it personalized with their new names on it, but I didn’t know what you have available,” Jenna explained.
“I’ve got just the thing. I’ve only had it a few weeks, but come in and check it out. I think you’ll really like it,” Laken said, sounding excited.
“Great, Josh and I will be there soon. See you in a bit.”
Jenna disconnected the call and turned to find Josh smiling at her.
“Told you Laken would have something.”
Jenna picked up her purse and car keys, walking toward the garage. “Don’t get your gloat on yet,” Jenna teased as they headed out the door.
A short while later, they walked into On a Lark. Jenna admired the work Laken put into her displays, making the store look friendly and welcoming. She immediately spied the woman behind the cash register. Even if she hadn’t spotted her there, Laken’s infectious laughter gave her away.
Laken smiled at them and finished with her customer. As soon as she was free, she rushed over, giving Jenna a hug and Josh a pat on the back.
“Well, Jenna, how did you manage to get this ol’ farmer out of the field today?” Laken teased, knowing Josh preferred to be at the farm than the mall.
“He promised to take me to Portland shopping and reneged on his deal, so he gets to tag along with me anyway.” Jenna gave Josh a heated look that let him know exactly how pleased she was to spend the day with him. “I’m dying to see what you’ve got that you think would work as a gift for the girls.”
Laken showed them a new computerized program with a special printer that allowed her to print custom vinyl lettering in a variety of colors and styles. Jenna liked the idea of making the girls signs with their names on them and selected a background with blue sky, green grass, and butterflies for Emma, who loved bugs and frogs and all things outdoors. For Audrey, she chose a pink background with curlicues and sparkly flourishes. Laken printed the customized designs then carefully transferred the artwork onto pre-made signs.
Josh was impressed and Jenna was thrilled.
As they browsed around the store, Jenna found one more gift she had to buy for Callan. The leather bound scrapbook that said, “Our Family” offered page after page to record family memories, holidays, birthdays, and insert photos. Several of the pages had inspirational quotes that centered on family life. It was perfect for the newly formed Matthews family.
“Can you wrap this up too, Laken?” Jenna asked, setting the book on the counter next to the signs.
“Absolutely.” Laken gave her a big smile. “I was toying with the idea of giving Callan one of these so I’m glad you picked it out.”
“She’ll love it, babe,” Josh said, his silvery gray eyes glowing with warmth. “Callan will be ecstatic.”
Laken and Jenna both laughed. “I don’t know about that, but I think she will be pleased.” Jenna squeezed Josh’s hand, glad he took an interest in the gifts.
“Do you two have any other stores to visit? I can wrap these up and have them waiting for you,” Laken offered.
“Sure, we can look around for a few minutes,” Josh said, tugging Jenna toward the door. “Thanks, Laken, we really appreciate it.”
“Anytime.” Laken waved as she hurried into her back room to find boxes for the signs and the book.
Josh and Jenna meandered around the Tenacity Mall. Although not large by any standard, it offered a nice selection of stores for local shoppers, providing an alternative to driving into Portland.
Josh wandered into the sporting goods store while Jenna browsed through a trendy clothing store. When they met in the food court, he bought them both a Dr Pepper then they sauntered back toward Laken’s store.
After collecting the beautifully wrapped packages from Laken, Jenna suggested they run by the grocery store and pick up a few things to make for the barbecue that night. Josh readily agreed.
He grabbed a cart and started throwing things in before Jenna could formulate a grocery list. She quickly surmised he wanted her to make a chocolate bundt cake along with seven-layer taco dip.
Josh carried in the groceries while she got out everything to make the cake. While she prepared the batter, he washed tomatoes and readied the avocado for the dip. His years of living in the city had taught him how to cook a few things, cake not being one of them.
He loved all things chocolate, as did Callan, and never passed up an opportunity for Jenna to make her special chocolate cake - a moist chocolate bundt cake topped with a rich chocolate glaze. His mouth watered just thinking about it.
Jenna only had to slap his hands half a dozen times to keep him out of the cake batter. Once she finished spooning the batter into the pan, she gladly gave him the bowl to lick clean.
“You’re worse than six little boys all together,” she laughed at Josh as he sat at the counter, contentedly licking every speck of chocolate out of the bowl.
Josh didn’t answer. He looked up long enough to flash his you-can’t-refuse-me-a-thing grin before turning his attention to one last tiny drop of chocolate clinging to the edge of the bowl
“Josh, you’re impossible,” Jenna chided, taking the empty bowl away from him and setting it in the dishwasher. While the cake baked, she led Josh to the great room where they sank into the comfortable cushions of the couch and talked about their plans for the next few weeks.
“By the way…” Josh stretched out on the long couch and rested his head on her lap. “Who is Dennis Gillman?”
“Nobody important. Why?” Jenna stiffened and her voice took on an edge Josh hadn’t heard before. Quickly sitting up, he looked her full in the face, trying to figure out what bothered her. Something made her uncomfortable, that much was certain.
“I answered your phone when it rang this morning. He said to tell you ‘The Gillman’ called.” Josh attempted to analyze Jenna’s reaction to his words. “I forgot to tell you earlier.”
Jenna took a deep breath and released a sigh. “He’s just someone from work. I’m sure it wasn’t anything important or someone would have called me back.”
“Are you sure there isn’t something you need to tell me?”
“No. He’s a new-hire experiencing some difficulty figuring out how things work at the office.”
Josh decided to let the discussion go for now. However, he fully intended to find out everything he could about Dennis Gillman.
They discussed farm details until the cake finished baking. After giving it time to cool, Jenna frosted it then they packed up the food to take to Clay and Callan’s.
As they pulled into the Matthews’ driveway, Jenna smiled at Callan’s yard full of beautiful flowers. Cully, the family dog, barked from the backyard where Audrey and Emma no doubt played with him.
Jenna carried the gifts while Josh took care of the cake and dip. With both of their hands full, Josh rang the doorbell with his elbow and waited for someone to answer. It didn’t take long for Callan to open the door, beaming a huge smile.
“Hello, hello! Come on in,” she said in welcome, taking the cake out of Josh’s hand and kissing his cheek. “I’m glad you two came over early. I haven’t seen either one of you for a while and we need to catch up on life.”
Only a year apart in age, Callan and Josh were close. Both tall, they possessed beautiful smiles that popped dimples out in their left cheeks. Where Josh was dark in both coloring and hair with silvery eyes, Callan had fair skin with a tendency to freckle, auburn hair, and bright emerald green eyes. Despite the differences in their coloring, it was easy to see a resemblance in their features.
Callan tended to be more serious while Josh was something of a jokester, although he had a hard time keeping up with Callan’s husband, Clay, in that department. He seemed to maintain the upper hand when it came to pranks.
Jenna set the presents down in the front room before walking into the kitchen where Josh placed the taco dip on the counter. Callan came right over and gave her a hug.
“Jenna, you look wonderful. The new job must agree with you,” Callan said with a warm smile.
“So far, so good.” Jenna returned Callan’s hug, then took a step back. “We brought a little something for the girls. Would it be okay to give it to them now, before all the rest of the company arrives?”
“Oh, you didn’t need to do that, but I’m sure the girls will be thrilled. Now would be a great time to have them open presents.” Callan walked through the family room and opened the patio door. She said something Josh and Jenna couldn’t hear and soon returned to the kitchen with Audrey and Emma.
“Uncle Josh! Auntie Jenna!” The girls squealed as they ran into the kitchen and gave them both hugs and kisses. Jenna never ceased to be amazed at how much alike the two girls appeared. Although three years apart in age, the girls looked exactly alike with big china blue eyes, perfect rosebud lips, and heart-shaped faces topped with a mop of curly blond hair that fell in perfect ringlets. Since they’d been living with Clay and Callan, they were always dressed adorably. Today was no exception.
Jenna picked up six-year-old Emma and gave her an extra warm hug. “How are you today, Miss Sweet Pea?” she asked, tickling the little girl’s side.
“I’m wonderful, Auntie Jenna,” Emma said between giggles. “Did Auntie Callan tell you? We get to belong to her and Uncle Clay forever and ever. I’m so glad.”
Jenna smiled at Emma and pulled her little head close to her own. “I know, Sweet Pea, and I’m so happy for you. It’s exciting, isn’t it?”
“Yep,” Emma agreed, hanging onto Jenna’s neck.
While she picked up Emma, nine-year-old Audrey wasted no time in launching herself into Josh’s arms then swung around to cling on his back like a monkey.
“If you two girls can behave for a minute or two, we might have a present for you to open,” Josh teased.
“For real?” Audrey asked, squeezing him around the neck. “Can we open it?”
“You bet, if you don’t choke me to death first.” Audrey giggled as Josh carried her into the living room and deposited her on the couch.
Jenna sat down next to her and held Emma on her lap while Josh passed a gift to each girl. They eagerly tore away the wrapping paper and opened the boxes.
“Oh, look, Auntie Callan,” Audrey gasped in pleasure at her sign. “It says ‘Audrey Matthews’ and Emma’s says ‘Emma Matthews.’ They have our new names on them, Emma.”
“Yippee!” Emma clapped and tossed her head, setting her curls to bouncing. “Our new names are the bestest names of all.”
The adults laughed while the girls ran to their shared bedroom to find somewhere to display their signs. Josh handed Callan the third package.
“We thought you might like this, Callan,” Jenna said as Callan sat down beside her and removed the wrappings covering the beautiful scrapbook.
“This is lovely, you two.” Callan’s voice was quiet as she swiped at a tear. “Thank you so much. We’ll enjoy filling every single page.”
Josh leaned down and gave his sister a hug. “We’re so proud of you and Clay. Not everyone would have wanted the girls much less fought for so long to keep them. You two have done a wonderful thing.”
“Josh, you’re going to make my mascara run,” Callan said through her tears, squeezing her brother’s hand. “You both have been so supportive and encouraging. Clay and I appreciate it so much. Those girls are a blessing to us and I’m grateful every day to have them.”
Jenna began sniffling so Josh decided it was time to lighten the mood. “And you both are darn lucky to have someone extra special like me.” He struck a super-hero pose and gave them a cocky grin before looking around the room. “Speaking of extra special, where’s Clay?”
“He ran to the store to pick up more ice and another tank of propane. Of course, as soon as he decided to fire up the grill, it spluttered and died,” Callan said, regaining her sense of humor. “He should be back any minute, though.”
The three of them returned to the kitchen where Jenna and Callan worked together getting food ready for dinner. Josh wandered into the girls’ bedroom. They both sat on Audrey’s bed, admiring their signs.
“What are you two up to?” he asked stepping into the room that sported white furniture accented with pink curtains, bedspreads and throw pillows. It was definitely a princess room meant for little girls. He picked up a chair from their little corner table, turned it around and attempted to straddle it with his long legs nearly up to his ears. The girls broke into peals of delighted childish laughter.
“Uncle Josh, you’re going to break our chair.” Emma ran over to him and tugged on his hand. “You can’t sit there. You’re oodles too big.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Josh attempted to look serious. He feigned confusion and glanced around the room. “Where can I sit?”
“On the bed, silly.” Emma flopped down on her sister’s bed and patted a spot between the two of them. “You can sit right here between me and Audrey.”
“Sit on you and Audrey?” Josh teased, starting to sit down on top of them both.
“No!” they yelled in unison, shoving at him to stand up. “Not on top of us.”
Josh stood and scratched his head, pretending to consider his options. “Are you sure I can’t sit on you?”
“Very sure,” Audrey said, nodding her head for emphasis. “You know better, Uncle Josh.”
“I do?” He leaned over and grabbed both girls then started tickling them. They wiggled and giggled, gasping for breath. When he finally let go, they jumped on top of him and pulled him down on the bed. All three of them dissolved into laughter.
“What’s going on in here?” Clay’s deep voice filled the room. Although he sounded stern, his big smile gave away his mirth.
“Uncle Clay, you’re home!” Emma leaped from the bed into his arms. “We missed you!”
“I was gone less than an hour, Sweet Pea. You couldn’t have missed me that soon.”
“Oh, but we did.” Emma kissed Clay on the cheek then turned to Josh. “Did you see what Uncle Josh and Aunt Jenna brought us?”
“What did you get?” Clay asked, setting Emma down. He offered all the appropriate words of praise when the girls showed him their signs.
“These are great, Josh. Thank you.” Clay nodded to his brother-in-law. They struck up a friendship when Clay and Callan started dating and had been close ever since.
“It was Jenna’s idea.” Josh reached out a hand to shake Clay’s. “We’re really happy for you all. It’s about time this was behind you so you can move forward as a family.”
“I agree,” Clay said with a solemn nod before giving Josh a devilish grin. “You might want to think about starting your own family one of these days in the not so distant future.”
“That is a topic currently not open for discussion.” Josh glared at Clay and motioned his head toward the girls. Clay nodded back in understanding.
“Right,” Clay said, pointing his finger in the direction of the hall. “Girls, I bet we’re going to have a house full of company any minute. Let’s go see what we can do to help your two aunties.”
“Okay,” Audrey said, running toward the kitchen with Emma right behind her.
“So the topic of a family is seriously not open for discussion?” Clay asked, sincerely interested as he and Josh stood in the pink domain of his adopted daughters.
“Not by me, by Jenna. The last time I broached the subject of babies, it didn’t go so well.” Josh raked a hand through his dark hair at the memory.
Clay slapped him good-naturedly on the back as they walked out of the bedroom. “Maybe you just need to turn on the full force of your powers of persuasion.” Clay waggled his eyebrows suggestively and grinned.
“Maybe,” Josh agreed with a laugh. “Maybe I do.”
When Jenna got past her fear of all things rural, she learned to appreciate time spent with Josh’s family. She watched as Josh’s dad, Clay’s parents, Clay’s Aunt Maggie, Uncle Tom, and cousin Jake walked inside the house, bringing smiles and laughter. Laken, her husband, Tyler, and their two kids along with numerous friends and neighbors converged at the Matthews’ home all bearing plates of food and some bringing gifts for the girls. It seemed like half the Tenacity community dropped by at some point during the evening.
Bobbi and Steve, Clay’s parents, were giddy with joy at officially becoming grandparents. Clay was their only child and since Callan was unable to have children, they’d given up hope of ever having grandchildren. They insisted the girls call them, “Grammy and Gramps.”
Jenna loved being around this family, filled with people who were so genuine, honest, and kind. She sat back and smiled as Clay carried his two girls around. Audrey hung on his back while Emma wiggled in his arms.
Truthfully, it was a miracle to see him walk.
Two years ago, they had all been out at Bobbi and Steve’s ranch working cattle when a pen full of cows stampeded and Clay suffered severe injuries. He’d been so badly hurt, they weren’t sure he would make it. After two weeks in a coma, he spent months in therapy. A hoof-shaped scar on his head and a plate in his leg were the only visible reminders of the accident.
Jenna breathed another prayer of thanks for Clay’s continued health and that Josh wasn’t injured since he was in the pen with Clay when it happened.
The accident seemed to change both Callan and Clay. They lived each day with a deep and underlying sense of gratitude. Maybe that was why they both seemed to love their new roles as parents.
Having known Clay for quite a few years, Jenna would never have pictured him as such a doting father.
Clay was a huge man, barrel-chested, and taller even than Josh, with thick muscled arms and legs. Despite his intimidating size, he possessed a deep dimpled grin, warm blue eyes, and one of the biggest hearts she’d ever encountered. The fact that his sun rose and set with his wife just endeared him even more to those who knew and loved them.
From what Jenna understood, he was an excellent teacher in his position as dean of the agricultural department at the community college. She knew from personal experience he was a big tease, but also compassionate. It was no wonder he had turned out to be an excellent father.
Callan was motherhood personified. She seemed to love everything about being a mother. Once she quit her job as the creative director at the local convention center last year and focused only on her event planning business, she had much more time to devote to the girls and fully embrace the role of parenting. She was a natural at nurturing and encouraging with just the right amount of discipline.
Reflective, Jenna sighed, knowing she would make a miserable parent. The thought of being stuck at home with little people demanding her attention made her chest tighten and stomach ache. She knew, to the very depths of her being, that she was just not motherhood material.
As much as Josh wanted a family, children were the one thing she refused to give him. She had career goals and raising babies didn’t fit into her carefully structured plans.
Forcibly shifting her thoughts away from babies and parenthood, Jenna rejoined the conversation around her.
On the drive home from the party, she and Josh shared conversations from the party, news they heard, and discussed how much they enjoyed the evening.
“Did you save me a piece of chocolate cake?” Josh asked, concerned it may have been all gone.
“You already had a piece, you oinker,” Jenna teased. When Josh looked truly stricken at the thought of not getting another piece, she relieved his misery. “Yes, I saved a piece for you. Good grief, Buck. Its only cake.”
Grabbing Jenna’s hand and kissing it in gratitude, Josh smiled at her. “It isn’t just cake. It’s your chocolate cake and I absolutely need another piece.”
“What am I going to do with you?” Jenna laughed at the boyish grin on his face.
Josh’s voice grew husky and he placed a moist kiss to her palm. “I have a few ideas.”
Her cheeks tingled with heat while her stomach fluttered so she decided to change the subject.
“It was nice to see Jake,” she said of Clay’s younger cousin. Jake, also an only child, worked to finish classes at Portland State University and would soon graduate with a degree in biology. He came home most weekends to work with the herd of registered quarter horses he raised and help on his parent’s small farm. When he had time, he also helped on Steve and Bobbi’s sprawling ranch.
“He said he has two more weeks until graduation then he’ll be home for the summer or at least until he finds a job.” Josh let Jenna change the subject to Jake because it was a topic he wanted to discuss. “We’re really going to need a hired hand this summer and I was thinking about offering the job to Jake. What do you think? If he wanted, he could live in the Harold house or he could drive out from Maggie and Tom’s place.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Jenna smiled at Josh. She wasn’t going to be much help to her husband on the farm all summer with her hectic travel schedule. She’d worried how he would handle all the work by himself. A hired hand for the summer months made perfect sense. They both liked Jake. From experience, they knew he was honest and a hard worker.
“Why don’t you call him tomorrow and see if he’d be interested. If he wants to live in the house, we could fix it up a little. I’m sure it’s been overrun with rodents and creepy crawlies.”
As Jenna said the last words, she shuddered. Mice, snakes, and spiders were things she would never become accustomed to or even accept as part of rural life. Josh worked hard to make sure their house and outbuildings remained rodent and reptile free, but he couldn’t control their presence in the yard.
Whenever Jenna came across a snake, Josh was convinced anyone residing on that end of the county knew about it from her frantic screaming.
The first time she’d screamed like the world was about to come to an abrupt and surprising end, Josh had been working in the shop on a piece of equipment. He dropped the heavy piece of metal and narrowly missed maiming his foot as he ran full-tilt toward the house to see what horrendous tragedy had befallen his wife.
Winded and afraid of what he would find when he arrived in the yard, he discovered Jenna standing on the porch steps, clutching a shovel and jabbing it in the direction of a flowerbed. He thought maybe there was a nest of rattlesnakes coiled up there for all her pointing and gasping, but upon investigation, he found one tiny little garter snake.
After that, he didn’t get quite as excited when he heard her scream. He always ran to the rescue, just not as fast and furiously as he did that first time.
“Great. I’ll give Jake a call tomorrow. I’d ask him after church, but I somehow doubt we’ll see him there.” Josh gave Jenna a knowing look. Jake’s flagrant disregard for his Christian upbringing was a source of great contention within his family. He was a good kid, polite, responsible, and thoughtful, but he refused to attend church with his parents and was often seen hanging out with a crowd of questionable reputations.
Josh remembered what it was like to be twenty-one, popular with the girls, and have the world by a string. He couldn’t say he blamed Jake one bit. Then again, he wouldn’t trade his current life for anything.
Jenna was perfect for him and he absolutely loved the life they built together.