Anya ran out of the front door of the Widow Maker Ranch’s main house as they drove up and parked in the driveway. Zoey was close at her heels.
“Anta!” Anya called, throwing her little round hands up into the air as she waited for Mindy to come sweep her into her arms.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Mindy called, waving at her niece as she and Jarrod stepped out of the car. “How did it go?” she asked Zoey as she made her way over to Anya and pulled her into her embrace.
The little one smelled of Cheerios and fresh air, and it reminded her of exactly what she wanted for the girl.
“Everything went great. And from the sounds of it, far better than your trip.” Zoey gave Jarrod a hug.
Jarrod let go of his sister and sent Mindy a sly grin.
She was glad that they had waited to tell Zoey and the rest of the world their good news. It had been a fun weekend spent in the safety of the hotel room in Sweden, telling each other everything about themselves and their pasts, down to which kind of toothpaste was their favorite.
“Actually, it wasn’t too bad.” Mindy smiled as she sat Anya on the porch and knelt down in front of her. “Before we go inside—Anya, I have a little surprise for you.” She reached in her purse and pulled out a Barbie dressed in a bridal gown.
“Oh, she pretty.” Anya took the doll and pulled it to her chest, smoothing the doll’s hair like it was her own personal baby.
“Look, Anya.” She motioned for her to more closely examine the doll’s hand. “She has a ring on.”
Anya nodded as she stared down at the doll’s hand. “Anta?” she asked, confusion on her face.
“Look.” Mindy stretched out her hand so both Zoey and Anya could see the diamond ring that Jarrod had bought her. “Jarrod gave me this.”
Zoey squealed beside them, and she jumped from foot to foot and wrapped her arms around her brother’s neck. “Yeah, you guys! I knew it!”
“Always the family planner.” Jarrod laughed, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
“But first,” Jarrod said, turning back to the little one. “I have to ask… Do you think it would be okay if your auntie marries me?”
Anya toddled over to him. She wrapped her arms around his legs, the Barbie still in her hand, and looked up at him, giving him a wide smile and an enthusiastic nod.
He lifted her into his arms.
“Okay,” Anya said, snuggling into his chest. She reached out for Mindy. “You’re Anta.” Then she pointed to herself. “I’m Anya.”
“Yes, baby girl. I’m Anta and you’re Anya.”
“Uh-huh,” Anya said, smoothing her doll’s hair. “Anta and Anya. I just like you.” She gave her a sweet smile. “I love you, Anta.”
Mindy moved to them and wrapped Anya and Jarrod in her arms as tears filled her eyes. “I love you, too, little one.”
Anya rested her cheek against hers. “And Jarrod?”
“Yes, baby girl, I love Jarrod, too.” She smiled as Jarrod wrapped his arm around her and pulled her tighter into their new family’s embrace.
“I love you, too, my girls,” Jarrod said, looking over at his sister.
For once in her life, Mindy was at peace. At least for now. The future, though she knew it would bring its own set of troubles and upheavals, looked bright. She would spend it with the people she truly loved, and she had no doubt that their lives would be nothing less than wonderful.
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