JO WAS EXHAUSTED after her first twenty-four-hour shift since she’d returned to work after maternity leave. Not that it had been an overly eventful night, but she had learned how much she valued her sleep since having her daughter, Willa.
Willa was easy during the day and difficult at night.
She thought she’d be fine, having worked in one of the busiest emergency rooms in Toronto for many years, but there was nothing more exhausting than the earsplitting scream of a colicky baby.
Not that she would trade it for anything in the world.
Jo stifled a yawn and headed outside. Henrik was waiting for her, with a cup of coffee and a baby asleep in her car seat. One thing that always settled Willa was a nice, long car ride.
Jo gladly took the coffee from her husband.
Something she’d never thought she would ever have again. A husband. Someone to love and who loved her.
She’d come to Fogo for a change and she’d got one.
“This is great,” she said, appreciatively.
“What? No I missed you? No throwing yourself in my arms?” Henrik teased.
Jo leaned over and kissed him. “Sorry. I did miss you.”
“Good.”
She peered in at the sleeping dark-haired blue-eyed little cherub she was blessed with. She was so much like her father. Henrik referred to Willa being saucy like her, and yet Jo didn’t see it. She only saw Henrik’s stubbornness.
“She was pretty good,” Henrik said as they leaned against the side of the truck to enjoy their moment of silence and the beautiful May morning. An iceberg was meandering by out on the calm water.
“Iceberg season is beginning again,” Jo said.
“Bit late this year,” Henrik remarked. “It’s been busy with tourists already, though. Let’s just hope no storms or burr holes or...what else happened last season?”
Jo grinned. “Don’t jinx yourself. Remember I’m superstitious.”
Henrik chuckled softly. “Of course. How could I forget?”
Jo smiled. “Thanks for picking me up and bringing me coffee.”
Henrik kissed her nose. “You know our anniversary is coming up.”
“I know.”
“Well, tomorrow the first part of your present is coming.”
She was intrigued. “Oh?”
“Your mother.”
She choked. “That’s hardly romantic, but nice.”
Henrik laughed. “Well, someone needs to watch Willa for the week.”
“The week?” Jo asked curiously.
“We didn’t go on a honeymoon, remember?”
“I can’t leave on a vacation too far away from her,” Jo argued. “She’s still too young.”
“I know. I talked to Dr. Cranbook. You’re off for the week, and we’re headed to L’Anse aux Meadows and the tacky, heart-shaped honeymoon suite for a couple of nights, and then a glamping experience in Gros Morne before we come back home.”
Jo’s heart raced. “Are you serious?”
Henrik nodded. “I am. I know it’s not the most exciting trip—”
“It’s perfect.”
“Good. The last time we were there we couldn’t do much, and this time I plan to make full use of that bed and Jacuzzi.”
“Ooh, I like the sound of that.” She set down her coffee cup and slipped her arms around Henrik’s neck. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
He grinned. “Yes, but I could do with hearing it again.”
Josephine kissed him. “Well, I’ll gladly accept your anniversary gift. What should I get you in return?”
Henrik cocked an eyebrow. “I can think of a few things. I’m patient. I’ll wait until we leave for our trip.”
“Why wait? Willa is asleep, and we have that great big bed at home.”
“Saucy,” Henrik teased. “Well, get in so we can get home.”
Jo got in the truck. Willa was still sound asleep, and she couldn’t believe how lucky she was. How glad she was that she’d taken the risk and come here.
“Yes. Let’s go home,” she said, softly.
As she looked at her daughter and at her loving husband, she realized she really didn’t need to go anywhere else.
Where they were, she’d always be home.