Page 106 of A Twist of Faith
“We have family up that way and they’ve got a little house just outside of Charlottesville waiting for us. It’s a more central location for the consulting, plus Uncle Ralph could use some help with his cattle.”
“What about Trigg?” Her eyes flickered closed as he threaded his hand through her hair.
“Since Trigg got a clean bill of health from his doctor, I figured the young’uns and I could move on up there this summer.” The rogue arrived in full grin. “Ain’t that a nice coincidence?”
Dee almost caught the sob before it wracked her body, but Reese was there, holding her in his strong arms and letting her cry all over his cedar-smelling shirt. Home in his arms—her earthly example of a Godlike love? “I can’t believe it. You’re going to move to Charlottesville? Lou, Brandon, and you?”
“Plan to. If you’ll have us.”
His strength breathed into her, warm and welcoming. She’d done nothing to deserve such sacrifice. Nothing. She hugged him close and lifted her face to the sky. Amazing Grace brought this lost child home.
At the thought she laughed and hugged Reese tighter. It was overwhelming—a love like this. So free and genuine. She leaned back, still supported by his arms, and cupped his face in her hands. His dark eyes red-rimmed with unshed tears and her heart swelled with another wave of gratitude.
“I’ll have you, Reese Mitchell.” She nuzzled his chin, reveling in his embrace. “You, and Lou, and Brandon. I’ll gladly have you.” She sniffed, voice hoarse with emotion. “But you need to remember one thing.”
He lifted a brow. “What’s that?”
“Ain’t is not a word.”
He laughed and hauled her close for another kiss, right there in front of the hospital stairs, God, and everybody.
And she kissed him right back.
Finally home.
Epilogue
The dinner table at Grace Mitchell’s house nearly bent under the weight of food. The Mitchells knew how to celebrate Christmas with Lampoon flair and enough chaos to leave Dee in no question she was part of agangas Grace called her family. Wrapping paper strewn from one side of the living room to another, the Christmas tree tilted at a dangerous angle, and joy filtered from every corner of the house, especially her heart.
Even her brother Jay came, observing from a safe distance and wearing a smile tinged with fear. Yeah, it might take a while for him toget it, but he would. Hope pumped a new song into her life and encouraged dreams of her own family—or her own readymade family.
She carried a pot of green beans to the table, wading through the masses of birth family, adopted family, neighbors, and friends all piled together in Grace’s house.
“Hey, Dee,” Rainey shouted from behind. “Don’t forget the serving spoon.”
Dee reached around Shaye Russell’s back to pluck the spoon from Rainey’s hand, the sweet bond of friendship an added bonus to her life in Ransom. The friendship between she and Rainey continued to grow and provide as much entertainment from Rainey’s vibrant, and somewhat rebel personality, as it did encouragement.
Lou sat in the middle of the breakfast nook, one of the lone areas not occupied by a herd of people, trying to piece together a horse stable Aunt Libby bought her. Her cherubic face gleamed with a halo of smiles. Uncle Ralph’s laugh boomed through the whirr of chatter in the next room as Grace hummed “Joy to the World,” apparently unaware of the happy bedlam on all sides.
It was complete insanity—and absolutely wonderful.
Dee completed her task and returned to the kitchen for her next assignment, careful to swing through the living room to sample the bluegrass quartet of Trigg, Emma, and a couple other cousins, who gave background music to Grace’s quiet voice.
Dee slid around the corner of the fireplace and turned to enter the kitchen, just in time to see Reese gather up Brandon from the floor.
“Daggone it,” he groaned and shot a glance over his shoulder to Lou. “Hey, Lou, could you grab the diaper bag and bring it to the back bedroom. Brandon just poured a glass of eggnog down the front of his clothes.”
Lou fastened a longing stare at her lovely horse stable and then looked to her Dad’s retreating back. Dee caught her attention. “I have it, Lou. No worries. Okay, sweets?”
Lou’s smile returned in full bloom and she focused on her gift with the wonder only a seven-year-old could show. Dee scooped up the backpack and followed Reese’s path down the hall, his sweet scent of spice and leather leading the way.
Brandon stood on the bed, jean overalls around his ankles, and dimpled cheeks offering her a smile as she entered.
“Dee,” he announced and her heart skipped into a staccato rhythm.
“Hey there, darlin’.” Reese wrestled the shirt over Brandon’s curly head. His gaze raked over her, appreciation growing with his smile. “It’s a shame it takes a rascally boy to give us alone time.”
Dee set the bag on the bed and took out an extra set of clothes for Brandon. Oh, fuzzy snowman pajamas. “I think that goes along with the territory, don’t you?”
