Page 66 of With All My Heart, Joy

“Joy—”

She plowed ahead, determined to exonerate Isaac at all costs. “If you’re saying one day years from now he could die before me while I still have life to live, I know that. But that could happen right now. Today. To any one of us. He could walk outside and get hit by a car. I could be diagnosed with a—a brain tumor and pass on before him.”

Her dad closed his eyes. “Victor told you.”

“He did. And do you think he would undo marrying Leah to save himself the heartache he is experiencing now as he loses her in slow motion?”

“Of course not.”

“Life is precious. Love is rare. I’m not saying I love Isaac. It’s too soon for that. But I’m not going to let fear of what may happen in the future because of our age difference stop me from finding out if this is meant for a lifetime—no matter how long or short that may be.”

She jolted when she saw her dad’s eyes shining with unshed tears. “You’ve grown into a wise woman, Joy.”

An emotion coated Joy’s insides that was so thick it nearly suffocated her. Why hadn’t she realized how badly she needed to hear praise from her family?

“I stand corrected. I can see you have thought this through well and know precisely what you’re doing. And I’m glad. I believe Isaac is excellent for you. Bring him home for Family Fun Tuesday tomorrow, would you? Your mother will want to get to know him. And Paisley.” He hesitated. “Are you sure about Paisley?”

Honestly, more sure than she was about Isaac. “I’m sure, Dad.”

Chapter Seventeen

“You have snow in your hair.” Isaac brushed a gloved hand over Joy’s head, sending the snow into a shower on the porch floor. It was December twenty-first. The first day of winter, and four days until Christmas. He and Joy had taken a short stroll on Ruby Lane in the glow of streetlights while keeping his house in sight. Paisley hadn’t been interested in a walk, and secretly, Isaac was glad. He hadn’t needed to take his hand off Joy’s waist the entire time.

“Let’s grab Paise and go.” He had a seven o’clock reservation at The Queen’s Cuisine, one of Silver Lake City’s finest culinary establishments. It wasn’t a place he frequented with regularity by any means. His wallet would not thank him for that. But with Christmas coming and a girlfriend on his arm he could only have dreamed about a mere week ago, it seemed an appropriate venue for celebration.

He had enjoyed the previous evening with Joy’s family. Although he arrived with apprehension, the whole family welcomed him and Paisley with open arms just as Dr. Halverson had predicted. They seemed relieved Joy had chosen someone steady and reliable. No one mentioned the age gap or their very recent counselor-client relationship. Having Silas there helped. If Silas McIntyre had won over the Halversons, Isaac figured his road ahead was a cakewalk.

If he married Joy, he and Silas would be brothers-in-law by marriage. His lips tipped upward at the thought. He could live with being related to his best friend. Always at the same family events, forever connected by sisters.

“You’re quiet tonight,” he said to Joy as he navigated toward downtown Silver Lake City. The Christmas lights on the lighthouse on the pier jutting out from the waterfront twinkled on the horizon as he drove down Madison Avenue. She’d barely said a word during their walk. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m fine.”

The ensuing silence was only broken by Paisley’s chatter.

He tried again. “It’s a clear night, huh?”

“Hmm,” was Joy’s only response. He cast an anxious glance at her. She wasn’t regretting their relationship already, was she?

“What are you going to order?”

She blinked as if she were coming out of a trance. “I’ve never been. I’ll need to study the menu.”

“Fair enough. Silas treated me a few times. I get the oysters. Paisley will get mac and cheese from the kids’ menu, right Paise?”

She grinned at him in the rearview mirror. She was coming down with some sniffles, but not enough that he was willing to wreck this fun evening for her. While he’d love to take Joy on a date, just the two of them, there would be plenty of time for that in the future. This close to Christmas, family had priority. Joy didn’t seem to mind. Unless that was the reason for her reticence.

“We can come here again alone after the holidays,” he said quietly.

“Don’t be ridiculous. It wouldn’t be the same without Paisley.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure, Isaac.” She met his eyes in the dark car, and her face was serious. Where had his light-hearted Joy gone?

The meal progressed much the same: Paisley her typical buoyant self, Joy withdrawn, and Isaac trying to pull her out of herself. Worry gnawed at his heart. Had he set up himself—and Paisley—for heartbreak? Again?

He banished the thought when the food was served. Joy ate and smiled appropriately as he talked, but she was lacking the authenticity she’d had all the other times they were together. Their relationship had happened at the speed of light. Maybe it was too much at once.

---