Page 117 of Protect My Heart
‘Sorry,’ Lacey says to me. ‘I didn’t know.’
‘It’s okay,’ I tell her. ‘The truth needed to come out. I don’t know if Jason and I could’ve kept that story going forever.’ I look at him. ‘Although we might tell our kids the orchard story.’
Jason laughs a little. ‘That’s probably a good idea.’
‘Maybe we’ll keep telling your father that story too,’ my mom says. ‘You know how he is. He’s stuck in how things used to be. He doesn’t keep up with the times.’
‘Yes, I know,’ I say, not pointing out that she’s the same way. But she’s starting to come around. She doesn’t even seem upset by the news of how Jason and I met.
‘What’s important is that you’re happy and have a whole new wonderful family there,’ she says, ‘and a beautiful baby boy on the way.’
‘And soon I’ll have you and Dad here.’
‘Oh! The real estate agent has someone interested in ourhouse. It’s not even on the market yet. We might be out there sooner than expected.’
‘That’s great, Mom! I’ll call you later and we can talk about it.’
She logs off and I thank everyone for coming. As they leave, I start to clean up.
‘That’s not your job,’ Jason says, taking the stack of plates I was holding and setting it back on the table.
‘He’s right,’ Kate says. ‘You’re the guest of honor. You don’t clean up. Besides, you have plans. You have to go get ready.’
‘Ready for what?’
‘I’m taking you to dinner,’ Jason says, taking my hand and leading me out of the store. ‘We’re going to the place we went when you first came to town.’
‘That’s a nice place. Can I go home and change?’
‘Yes, the reservation isn’t until seven. You have time to shower, take a nap, change clothes, whatever you want.’
I smile at him as we walk to the truck. ‘I might skip the nap for something else.’ My gaze drops to his body. ‘You look really hot in that suit.’
‘I’m all for skipping the nap.’ He walks faster. ‘I would’ve suggested that myself, but I was trying to be a considerate husband.’
‘Husband?’ I say as he helps me into the truck. ‘We’re not even married yet.’
He shuts the door and gets in the other side. ‘What do you think of September?’
‘For what?’
‘Getting married. The leaves will be changing. The weather will be cooler. Your parents will be here by then.’
‘Wait—you mean this September? Like next month?’
‘Yeah. Why? Is that too soon?’
‘No. It’s perfect.’ I’m thrilled he wants to get married that soon. I thought he’d want to wait.
‘We could get married at the orchard,’ he says as he drives out of the parking lot. ‘The place where we met.’ He chuckles.
‘Yeah, that story didn’t last,’ I say with a sigh. ‘I don’t know why I ever thought we’d be able to keep it going. I should’ve known the truth would come out eventually. Do you think my mom was mad when she found out?’
‘I think she was surprised, but she wasn’t mad. Mia, your parents love you. Despite what you think, you could never disappoint them.’
‘Maybe, but I’m sure my mom’s not happy about me hooking up with a guy at a wedding and getting pregnant.’
‘Hey, I’m not just any guy. I’m a Kanfield, of the famous Kanfield Orchard.’
