Page 83 of The Hardest Part

“Wait.” Justin came running after them. He put a wrapped oblong box in his hands and winked. “Happy weddin’ day. You can open it later.”

Billy tossed the box in the back and opened the door for his brother and his wife. Jake set her down, and while she scooted over, his brother dashed around the truck and got in on the driver’s side.

Jake glanced over at him. “Ready?”

He was. “Yup.”

They pulled away from the ranch, passed the drive to Kim’s Dutch barn, then turned on the road toward town. “C’mon, baby,” she said, tugging on Jake’s arm. “Where are you takin’ me?”

“Told you, wifey.” He chuckled, but refused to elaborate. “Home.”

“Where’s home?”

Wherever you are.

“You’ll see.” Kissing her on the cheek, Jake nudged his shoulder. “Think we should blindfold her?”

“We could.” Billy pictured it in his mind. “Ain’t a bad idea.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, I would, and I think you’d like it if I did.” He sipped a sweet kiss from her lips. “But bein’ I don’t have one handy, I’ll just cover your eyes before we get there.”

And a few miles later, he did just that.

The late spring breeze rustled through the trees. Flowers in every color filled the porch. And the sound of the creek welcomed them home.

Jake opened his door. “Got her?”

“Yeah.” Billy guided her out, holding his hand over her eyes. “No peeking, Em.”

How they’d kept this a surprise, he would never know. But they did, somehow. He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face.

One.

Two.

Three.

Billy uncovered her eyes, and tucking her beneath his chin, wrapped his arms around her middle. “Open ‘em.”

Her jaw dropped. Literally. “This is ours?”

“Yeah.” With his arm around her shoulders, Jake pulled them both against him. “Billy had a vision.”

“We built it together.” Billy kissed her crown. “With a whole lotta help.”

Family. Friends. Community. It’s the heart of Brookside.

Emily twisted in his arms and gazed up at him. “It’s the most amazing, incredible, beautiful house I’ve ever seen.”

“Just wait, you haven’t been inside yet.” And Jake lifted her into his arms. “We should fix that, don’t you think?”

“I do.”

Miss Kim and their mom, before she died, helped them choose some of the furniture. Justin’s paintings graced the walls. They left most of it a blank slate, so they could fill it with the things they loved, and make it their own together.

“Welcome home, beautiful wife.” Jake set her down. “We love you.”

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