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Mick got out of the car and locked it. Carly was expecting him to pick her up at three o’clock when the gallery closed. He checked his watch. It was two minutes to three.
He pushed the door open, and it was as if he had magically stepped out of Willow Oaks and in to another world altogether. The sound of soft music playing featured a piano and the faint chirping of birds.
In the middle of the room was a small water feature. It was, in Mick’s opinion, the best part of the store. Goldfish swam freely, and the small water fountain provided a sense of calm. Carly had designed the gallery to look as if it was a greenhouse, just like the one at the White Willow B&B where they had spent that one afternoon painting. And amidst the plants hung all her paintings.
“There he is.” Carly beamed when she spotted Mick.
Mick smiled to find Carly sitting on the white couch feeding the baby with a bottle. She looked serene... happy. “How are my favorite girls?” Mick approached mother and daughter and leaned in for a kiss. “How was Ava today?” He looked at his daughter, who was nestled in the crook of Carly’s arm, snuggled against her chest.
“Absolutely perfect.”
Mick was taken by Carly’s radiance. “Even during the class?” Carly had begun teaching painting classes, and Mick enjoyed listening to all the stories she shared with him.
Carly nodded. “I had her in the baby sling and she was snug as a little bug.”
Mick smoothed little Ava’s head with his finger. “She is perfect, isn’t she? Just like her mother.” It warmed his heart every time he saw Carly with Ava. “Did the class go well?”
“Oh, Mick, it was such a wonderful class. I had some people from out of town too. Can you believe it?”
“Never doubted it.”
“They’re staying at the White Willow, and Amy and Sam had suggested they take the class while they’re in town.”
“Oh now, speaking of the White Willow, what time are your sisters arriving?”
“Caitlin’s family arrives tonight. And Courtney and family should be here by tomorrow morning.”
“So who’s staying at the B&B?”
“Courtney’s family. Caitlin’s staying at Mom and Dad’s.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if they stayed with us, rather than the B&B?” Mick asked.
“I didn’t think of that. You don’t mind?”
“Of course, not. They’re family.”
Carly smiled. “I’ll give her a call and let her know.”
“I’m really glad to see you guys getting closer.” Thinking about his own journey, rebuilding his relationship with his family has been a gift. He never thought he’d see the day when he was back in Willow Oaks.
“Me too. I really think the sessions with my therapist have helped me to move forward.”
“We all need a hand sometimes.”
“Anyway, I can’t believe how big their kids have gotten. They’re really looking forward to seeing Ava.” Carly cooed to her baby. “How was your day?”
“It was a good day—until now.”
Carly frowned. “Until now? What happened?”
“Now, it’s perfect,” Mick grinned. “Oh, and you’ll never guess who called me today!”
“Who?”
“You didn’t even try to guess!”
Carly laughed. “Was it Oprah?”
“Why would Oprah ever call me?”
“Wishful thinking, I guess.” Carly laughed and took the near-empty bottle from Ava’s lips and put the cover back on. She wiped Ava’s little mouth with a baby cloth and then kissed her baby’s cheek. “Okay, so who called you?”
“Jodie Ann Keller.”
* * *
CARLY LOOKED UP AT Mick in surprise. “Jodie Ann Keller?”
“Well, it’s Jodie Ann Cooper now, it seems.”
“What did she say?” Jodie Ann Keller—that was a name she hadn’t heard in a long time.
“I don’t really know. It was a surprise to begin with. But then we got to talking about what we’ve both been doing. I told her about you and Ava. And she told me about her husband, Richard. They have three children and they’re talking about moving back here.”
“Here? To Willow?”
“Mm-hmm,” Mick gathered Ava’s baby bag from under the coffee table, where Carly kept it most days. “Ready to go?”
“What else did she say?”
Mick slung the bag over his shoulder and smiled. “You’re not jealous, are you?”
Carly twisted her mouth. “Should I be?”
Mick put the bag back down and took Carly’s hand, helping her up. “Come here, you.” He pulled Carly close to him and kissed Ava’s cheek. Then, gazing in to her eyes, Mick kissed Carly. “Never.”
Carly melted in to Mick’s kiss. She closed her eyes. They’ve been married two years now and still, Mick’s kisses had a way of making her weak in the knees. Going to see Mick that day when he was at his mother’s house had been the best decision she had ever made in her life. “Who knew that life could be so wonderful?” she whispered against Mick’s chest.
“I did,” he said. “I knew life with you would be wonderful.”
“I’m glad you chased me and didn’t give up.”
Mick looked at her, his eyes smiling. “May I remind you, Mrs. Myers—it was you who chased this gorgeous specimen.”
Carly laughed. She liked the way he made her laugh. She liked the way he laughed.
“So, did you sell anything today?”
Carly nodded. I had an online order come through. They bought my painting of the greenhouse.
“Really? That’s brilliant, darling! You’re an absolute star. It won’t be long before your paintings replace those of van Gogh.”
Carly shook her head. “No one can ever replace Vincent van Gogh. And besides, I’m just grateful to be able to do what I love.” If anyone had told her that one day, she would be married to the most amazing man in the world, mother to the most perfect little baby, and owner of the coolest little art gallery in Willow Oaks, she never would have believed them.
“You know,” Carly continued, “I never thought that I’d ever be able to share my paintings with the world.” The secret was out. After she and Mick had opened the gallery, the townsfolk recognized her painting style. They knew instantly that she had been the one leaving anonymous paintings around town.
“I really am so proud of you.” Mick brushed a finger across her cheek.
Carly gazed at her husband. “I love you, NYJedi.”
“I love you too, Willow Girl,” Mick said, “today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life. My love for you is timeless.”
Ava let out a little cry.
“And I love you too, my princess,” Mick bent down and kissed her on the head.
While Mick kissed Ava on the head, Carly kissed him on his. Life really did have a funny way of working out. And as for her relationship with God, Carly had found a renewed faith in him. She was ever so grateful that God had ignored her challenge to just take her from the earth on the day of her double mastectomy. It seemed that he had other plans for her. And so far, his plans had been so much better than hers ever were.
“Ready?” Mick asked.
Carly nodded. “Always.”