Page 118 of The One I Want
“Great! We played outside all day. Liam asked me to marry him. And I got to take home all of my artwork so we can hang it up!”
I stifle a laugh as Wes nearly chokes on his own spit. “Liam asked you what?”
Magnolia rolls her eyes in the most adorable way. “I told him no, Dad. Geez. I don’t have time for boys. Isn’t that right, Betsy?”
I nod. “Darn right you don’t. We have an empire to create.”
“Those videos aren’t going to make themselves,”she says with a nod.
I laugh as I pick her up, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Usually Wes and I don’t tag-team pickup duties, but since it’s the last day of school, we decided it would be fun to go together to get the kids and take them for ice cream. Maybe start a new tradition for their first last day of school in Rolling Hills.
“Where’s Emerson?” Wes asks.
I look around the sea of kids, trying to pick her out. I look for the yellow T-shirt she had on this morning, but can’t seem to spot her. This is unlike her. Usually she’s one of the first ones out of the building.
“There she is!” Magnolia says as she points to the flagpole.
I turn to my right to see Emerson and I nearly drop Magnolia in the process.
Because at that moment, I see a boy, who I think is named Jay, lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek.
I hurry and look at Wes, who has started talking to Oliver and thankfully didn’t see that. My man is many things, but ready for his oldest daughter to start getting kisses from boys is definitely not on that list.
“How about you two get in your seats,” I say as I open the door so they can climb in. “Your Dad and I have a surprise for you guys.”
That’s all Magnolia and Hank need to hear. When I look back for Emerson, I see her walking toward me, the boy maybe named Jay walking toward the buses.
I meet her halfway, which she doesn’t see at first. But when she does, I’m all knowing smiles.
“Hey there, Em. How was your last day of school?”
Her face gets instantly red. “Fine.”
“I bet it was,”I singsong.
This gets me the loudest groan I’ve ever gotten from these kids. I’m officially entering cringe territory, and it’s all I can do not to cackle.
“Betsy, please don’t.”
I laugh, bringing her in for a side hug. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me, and your dad didn’t see anything.”
This seems to relieve her. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” I say. “And you know, if you have any questions, about anything, you know you can talk to me, right? And if you want to know why you should always use extra caution for any man whose name starts with ‘J’, I can explain that as well.”
This gets me a laugh. “Thanks, Betsy.”
She stops and gives me a hug, which I return with an extra squeeze.
How did I get so lucky? Yes, I got lucky with Wes. The man is…well…he’s not perfect. But neither am I. But we’re perfect for each other.
Where I truly got lucky is that I get to be in the life of these three amazing kiddos. A wise woman once told me that I’m the only one who knows my destination. I didn’t know it at the beginning, but since these three walked up to my porch, they were my destination. This family saved me in more ways than I think they know. And I count my blessings every day for them.
“Buckle up,” I tell the three of them. “I’m going to go tear your dad away from Uncle Oliver then it’s surprise time.”
They all cheer as I walk over to Wes and catch the tail-end of his sentence.
