Tabitha gazed out Jason and Melanie’s kitchen window and lifted her iced tea. The ice cubes clinked on the side of the glass as she took a sip. She smiled at the antics of Dennis and Charlotte’s girls and the two dogs in the backyard. The group decided to celebrate Miss Judith’s birthday in the only way those men and women knew how—a loud, joyous get-together. Tabitha leaned her hip on the counter and shifted her gaze to her husband and infant daughter in the living room. Doug tucked the pink blanket around Hope and swayed back and forth while chatting with Kyle. When Hope whimpered, he switched from swaying to bouncing. The man was a natural as a father.
Her thumb rubbed the wedding set on her left hand. The sensation a new one. Due to swelling during her pregnancy, she had to remove the engagement ring and wear it on a chain around her neck. Then when they’d married on New Year’s Day, since the wedding band wouldn’t fit on her swollen hands, she’d slid it onto the chain as well. Doug had married her and jumped with both feet into his role as husband. He’d been fantastic during Hope’s birth. Once their daughter arrived, they both cried at the new life and for Doug’s son, taken too soon.
“You look happy.” Miss Judith poured herself a drink and joined her at the counter.
“I am.” She tipped her glass toward Doug. “He’s a great husband and father.”
“All my boys are.” Judith took a sip, grabbed a paper towel, and wiped the condensation from the glass. “Marriage and parenthood looks good on both of you.”
Tabitha shifted to face the older woman. “As it does you. I think you surprised everyone by getting married over Thanksgiving.”
Miss Judith chuckled. “Harold, the old coot, said he wasn’t getting any younger and wanted to enjoy every minute we have left on this earth. Who was I to say no?” Did Tabitha see a hint of pink in the older woman’s cheeks?
“Admit it. You wouldn’t have it any other way.” Miss Judith had a different kind of relationship with her than she had with the others. Tabitha saw a softer side of the woman. A sweet grandma she never had. The whole department considered Judith the spunky no-nonsense grandmother, but to Tabitha, she was the kindest, gentlest woman she’d ever known.
Miss Judith nudged her shoulder. “You are correct, my girl.”
Her heart filled to overflowing at the endearment. She belonged to a wonderful patchwork family.
“What do you say we go see that granddaughter of mine?”
Tabitha raised a brow. “Which one?”
The pair laughed.
Judith shook her head. “This group is making up for lost time on the baby front.”
“And you love every minute of it.” She couldn’t help but smile. Something she’d done a lot of lately.
“That I do.” Judith offered her elbow to Tabitha. “Come on. Let’s join the chaos.”
She accepted the gesture and strode with Judith into the living room. An octagon fence-type playpen sat off to the side. Keith and Amy’s eight-month-old twins, Stacey and Ellie, squealed with delight at the toys in the enclosure. One of the girls tossed a stuffed bear over the edge. Amy retrieved it and handed it back to the little darling.
Miss Judith veered toward a very pregnant Charlotte. Dennis’s hand rubbed small circles on his wife’s back. He kissed her cheek, whispered in her ear, then sauntered toward his detectives, who stood in a semicircle where they could keep an eye on everyone. The group was a protective bunch.
Little hands patted Tabitha’s legs. “Up, pease.” Noelle, Jason and Melanie’s fourteen-month-old, held her arms up. Tabitha adored how the little one said please.
Grateful her doctor had released her for normal activity a few days ago, she obliged the toddler. “How’s Miss Noelle today?”
The girl patted Tabitha’s cheeks. “Cookie.”
She laughed. “I think we need Mommy or Daddy’s approval for that.”
“Momma!” Noelle wriggled, wanting down. Tabitha held on to the girl until the little one had her balance before letting go. On a mission, the toddler ran to Melanie.
Tabitha glanced at those she now called family. Love and friendship as thick as molasses filled the room. Growing up, if someone had told her she’d understand the true meaning of love, she’d have walked away in disbelief. This—in front of her—was all she’d ever wanted.
Thank You, God, for giving me my heart’s desire.
Blinking back tears of joy, she strolled to her husband’s side.
Doug’s new daughter, Hope, snuggled against his chest as he chatted with the others. The little girl sucked on her fist. The slurping sound made him smile. So much had happened over the last six months it had made his head spin—in a good way. Judith and Harold’s wedding at Thanksgiving, and Kyle and Cassidy’s at Christmas. He and Beth had decided to marry on New Year’s Day so their baby girl would have his last name. However, the paperwork for him to officially adopt Hope was still in the works.
Beth’s arm slid around his waist, and she leaned in and kissed Hope’s silky head.
He smiled. Beth was an amazing wife and mother. She’d worried at first since she hadn’t had good role models, but with the support of his friends and her natural instincts, she had thrived as an attentive wife and caring mother. He thanked God every day for the opportunity to see her blossom into the woman He’d made her to be.
Dennis strolled to the group and motioned to Hope. “She looks good on you.”
He couldn’t contain the smile that tugged on his lips. “I couldn’t agree more. I’m hoping to talk Beth into a dozen more.”
Beth groaned. “Can we please wait a while before we discuss having more?”
“I’m just teasing.” He swooped in and kissed her breathless. “I’d like more, but I want to love on our little girl for a while first.”
“Good.” Beth rested her head on his upper arm.
“This group is becoming quite the baby factory.” Keith gestured toward all the children around the room. “Who’s next after Charlotte and Dennis have theirs?”
Jason caught Dennis’s gaze. “Is Charlotte going to make it through the next few weeks?”
“I don’t know.” Dennis rubbed the back of his neck. “That son of ours is already worrying me. She started having mild contractions a couple of days ago. Doc told us he doesn’t think that little boy will listen to reason and will make his appearance a bit early.”
Kyle laughed. “First, Amelia the brainiac and now a strong-willed son. At least Kayley is normal.”
“You’d think. But that girl is sneaky. She has manipulation down to an art form.” Dennis dropped his head back and stared at the ceiling. “What did I ever do to deserve this crazy in my life?” The question held a satisfaction that even the sheriff couldn’t deny.
“And you love every minute of it.” Keith nudged his boss’s shoulder.
“You bet I do.” Dennis took a sip of his drink. “So, who’s next? Kyle, are you and Cassidy planning on having kids?”
“We are. But I’d like to enjoy at least a year of wedded bliss before we add to the chaos.”
Jason cleared his throat, gathering everyone’s attention. The room grew quiet except for the young ones playing. Melanie joined him at his side. He tugged her in close. “First of all, I’d like to wish Miss Judith a very happy birthday.”
Everyone raised their cups, and a round of agreements filled the air.
“We’ve had a lot to celebrate lately, and Mel and I would like to add to the mix.” Jason beamed at his wife. “We had a bit of a surprise a few months ago.”
Melanie laughed. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Spit it out, dude,” Kyle huffed.
A huge smile spread across Jason’s face. “Mel and I are pregnant.”
“Congrats.”
“Congratulations.”
“That’s awesome.”
A variety of well-wishes sounded from the group.
Keith arched a brow and smirked. “You know, they know what causes that.”
“Haha.” Jason stuck his tongue out and rolled his eyes.
It was good to see that parenthood hadn’t changed the partners’ love for fun.
“When will you know if it’s a boy or girl?” Beth’s timidness had waned, but she continued to be shy around the whole group.
“Funny you should ask.” Mel rested her head on Jason’s shoulder. “The doc messed up when he checked the boxes for my latest blood test and ordered an NIPT.”
“A what?” Cassidy asked.
“A noninvasive prenatal testing. It’s used to check for chromosomal conditions. But it can also tell the gender early on.”
“And?” Kyle prodded.
“Everything is normal, not that it would have mattered to us, but it’s nice to know.” Jason beamed at his wife. “And according to the test, we’re having a boy.”
Whoops and cheers filled the room.
“I know it’s early, but do you have name ideas yet?” Doug loved that his friends were adding to the family again. Thanks to this group and the woman snuggled against him, his life had never been so full.
“We have.” Melanie placed her hand on Dennis’s shoulder. “Jason and I decided on the name James. And if by surprise it’s a girl, then it will be Jamie.”
Dennis’s jaw dropped, and Doug thought he saw tears fill the man’s eyes.
Jason cleared his throat. “You’ve helped each and every one of us through difficult times. You’ve covered our shifts without complaint when life happened. You’ve been our boss and our friend. And sometimes a pain in our backside.”
The group laughed at Dennis’s playful glare at Jason.
“All that to say, Dennis James Monroe, we’d like to name our son after you, if that’s okay.”
Charlotte’s hand clasped her husband’s. It took a moment for his friend and boss to find his voice. “I’m not sure what to say except that I’m honored.”
After a few moments of soft conversation, the group fell back into the usual racket when the lot of them got together.
Doug tucked Hope in tight, eased an arm around Beth’s shoulder, and pulled her close. He kissed the top of her head. “Having fun?”
She tilted her head and smiled. “I am.” She jutted her chin toward Jason and Melanie. “I know you were teasing earlier, and I do need time. But once Miss Hope is old enough, I’d like to add to the baby count.”
His heart almost exploded with joy. “I’d love that. As many as you want, whenever you’re ready.”
“Really?” Her green eyes held his gaze.
“Honey, when it comes to you, I want to make your dreams come true.”
Beth rose on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. “You and Hope are my dream.”
“And you’re mine.” If he had the power, he’d give his wife the moon. She’d endured a lot in her life, and he had every intention of filling her days with so much love she’d never doubt her worth—ever again.
If you liked this story from Sami A. Abrams, check out her previous Love Inspired Suspense books,
Killer Christmas Evidence
Detecting Secrets
Twin Murder Mix-Up
Buried Cold Case Secrets
Available now from Love Inspired Suspense!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Unraveling Killer Secrets by Shannon Redmon.