“Good morning, Mrs. Farmer,” Courtney said to her former neighbor.
“You’re glowing,” Mrs. Farmer said as she put both hands on Courtney’s very round, very pregnant belly after greeting her at the door while Sassy jumped and barked around Courtney’s ankles. The gold band on Courtney’s left hand sparkled against the sunlight.
“She’ll be here in a week or two. Maybe sooner from the way I feel.” Courtney handed over a basket filled with fresh fruit and a few muffins. It had become their favorite Monday morning meal.
“Where’s Amy today?” Mrs. Farmer asked, ushering Courtney through the door and to the kitchen table after Courtney picked up Sassy and gave her snuggles.
“She and Isaac decided to take a trip out of the blue. Just the two of them,” Courtney said with a smile. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she came back married.”
Mrs. Farmer burst out laughing. “Sounds like something Amy would do. Those two deserve all the happiness in the world.” She shook her index finger in the air. “And so do you. You deserve that gorgeous man you married.”
Courtney’s cheeks flushed at the compliment.
“Amy said to tell you she’ll see you next week and that I should give you a big hug for her.” Courtney embraced the woman who’d become family. “Jordan sends his love.”
“I’m surprised he let you out of his sight,” Mrs. Farmer teased.
“He is definitely a husband on baby watch. But I think he also knows that I wouldn’t miss our breakfasts for the world.” A cramp struck, and her belly felt like it contracted, reminding her that she wouldn’t be waiting too much longer to meet her daughter.
Her daughter. Courtney’s chest filled with so much love it felt like she might burst every time she thought about her little girl. She credited her sessions with Sara Winters for helping her break down her walls and enjoy all the love that surrounded her now. She still had work to do and it would take time, but she looked to the future with hope for the first time. Hope was a beautiful thing. Happiness was even better.
“I squeezed fresh juice this morning.” Mrs. Farmer beamed.
“Well, we better eat before this baby decides to come and interrupt our meal,” Courtney teased.
Mrs. Farmer caught her gaze. “Did you make a decision about going back to work after the baby’s born?”
Courtney glanced down and touched her stomach. “I have a feeling that I have my work cut out for me right here. I don’t want to miss a minute of her day.”
“You’ll never regret being home with your child,” Mrs. Farmer agreed. “Jenny and Hanson are bringing my Ellie bell later this fall.”
Her son-in-law’s job had moved the family to Europe three years ago. They’d offered to move back when Mr. Farmer passed away, but Mrs. Farmer wouldn’t have it. She’d said she wanted them to live their lives. She wasn’t ready to leave Jacobstown to join them because she felt closer to her husband here.
The warmth in Mrs. Farmer’s voice when she spoke about her family caused a few tears to fall from Courtney’s eyes.
There were no better words than love, family and home. Having all three made Courtney feel like the luckiest person in the world.
Don’t miss the previous books in
USA TODAY bestselling author Barb Han’s
Rushing Creek Crime Spree miniseries:
Cornered at Christmas
Ransom at Christmas
Ambushed at Christmas
What She Did
What She Knew
Available now from Harlequin Intrigue!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Isolated Threat by Nicole Helm.