Page 39 of Holiday Hitch

Leah was about to explain that it didn’t really feel like a gift for her, when Daryl raised a finger to shush her and continued, “And I’m going to spend two full days a week coming up here to help take care of John, and to minimize the amount of driving we have to do back-and-forth.”

It was an immediate relief. Having more people around tp help would make everyone’s lives easier. And especially Daryl who John had taken such a liking to. Leah smiled, proud that Daryl had thought so much about what would make her life easier on a day-to-day basis.

“ Thank you, darling. I know it’s a lot of change and I appreciate you thinking about me and my family,” Leah said has she leaned in to give Daryl a kiss.

Leah pulled away, “My gift isn’t material either.”

Surprised, Daryl gasped and asked, “Can I have it now?”

“I got a new apartment that has a yard and a dog run so the pups will have more space when they come to visit,” Leah said.

Daryl hugged Leah and kissed her cheek. Having the dogs with her and Sugarties would make it feel more like home, and that was all Daryl ever wanted.

Daryl raised her hand, “Oh, and one more thing! My last gift to you is that I’m never agreeing to a joint work assignment ever again.”

Leah laughed as she planted a kiss on Daryl‘s forehead. As much as she loved working together, it complicated their relationship in a way that Leah didn’t want to do forever, even if it was fun on occasion.

From the kitchen living room, John hollered, “Can you two saps get in here already?”

Daryl helped Leah hop off the counter and held her hand as they walked into the living room where their family was chatting loudly.

19

Jamie

Jamie stoodin a large white tent with Clarissa as they watched their guests settle in their seats. Everyone looked comfortable under the heaters.

Even though there wasn’t much left to plan by the time Jamie had apologized to Dani, the pair had a lot of fun putting on the finishing touches to the wedding.

And now, as Dani stood in her evergreen suit fitted with a Merino wool lining, everything felt just right.

Zoey zoomed into the room with Robin in tow, “How are you feeling?”

“What happened to laid back?” Robin asked as she delicately rubbed Zoey’s back to make sure she was taking some deep breaths.

Jamie couldn’t help but smile at the couple, feeling like she and Dani might be in the same spot a few years down the line. “I feel great. Everything looks exactly right, and Robin did a great job filling in for you these last couple days.”

Dani and Jamie had been surprised to learn about Zoey’s pregnancy so early. But because of her involvement in their wedding and her need to step back, Dani and Jamie were among the first to know their new baby.

“See? I told you I knew what I was doing,” Robin jabbed as she smiled at Zoey.

Zoey blushed, “Well I’m glad everything is to your liking. I just checked on Dani, and she’s had a message for you.”

Jamie raised an eyebrow and gestured for Zoey to go on.

“She told me to tell you that she didn’t give up on you in Montana and she isn’t ever going to stop fighting for what you have,” Zoey said. She took Jamie’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

Robin shook her head, “If you had told me back in high school that Jamie Lawson and Dani Crawford would be getting married while Zoey Greenwood was pregnant with my baby… I probably would’ve called you a liar.”

Jamie smiled and opened her arms to hug the duo. They really did feel like a perfect pair, complementing each other every day and being sure to lift each other up. Jamie knew she could learn a lot from them. She hoped that as they all settled into their lives in New Winford they would be able to be more than just Zoey’s client.

“Alright, we’re going to wrangle the guests and make sure everything’s perfect. But we’ll be ready for your walk down the aisle in a few minutes,” Zoey said, careful to take a deep breath before leaving the room.

Jamie paced around the tent as they got closer to the ceremony. Of course she was still nervous, but not the way she had been a week ago. Instead it was replaced with a fear that she wouldn’t be able to say everything she wanted to without embarrassing herself and crying in front of all of their friends and family.

Clarissa stepped closer to her daughter and placed two firm hands on Jamie’s shoulders, “What are you thinking sweetheart?”

It was hard to think of a way to sum up everything she felt in her heart. But Jamie settled on, “Just excited to make her my wife and spend the rest of my life with her.”

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