Page 113 of Her Greatest Adventure

“This morning. I don’t know how he got Adalyn to let him leave her side after what happened yesterday, but I found him on our front porch, looking like he was going to pee his pants.”

“That’s my boy.”

“I’m so excited to plan the wedding. Do you think they’ll have a big or small one? Selfishly, I hope big since Maddox and Braxton had a small one, but I’m not picky.”

I take a swig of my tea and then say, “I think we could try and coerce them into something bigger. Cooper would marry Addie anywhere as long as he got to call her his wife once they were done. It’s up to your daughter, I think.”

“We’re such gossips,” she giggles, drinking her tea.

“Are we gossips or just simply over-involved in our children’s lives?”

“Is one really better than the other?”

I laugh. “No, I guess not.”

“Oh well. It’s not every day that my best friend’s son decides to marry my daughter and make us family. I refuse to apologize for my meddling.”

“You make a strong case. I think I agree with every damn word you said. Cheers to being unapologetic gossipers,” I sing, lifting my mug in the air.

She clinks our mugs together, grinning. “Cheers.”

* * *

It’s beenmonths since my second son has been home, and now that he’s home, I know I’ll struggle to let him go again in a few days. Tears fill my eyes the moment I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight. He hugs me back as I softly cry into his shoulder.

Noah has never been affectionate to many people, but I’m grateful to be one of the chosen ones. I wouldn’t be able to handle it if I weren’t.

“When did you get back?” I ask, but the words are muffled in his shirt.

“Just this morning,” Tinsley answers for him when he doesn’t reply.

His silence isn’t unusual, but I choose this moment to pull back and wipe at my cheeks. When I see him glaring over my shoulder at Oakley, I want to cry for an entirely different reason than just seconds ago.

I give Tinsley a smile and grab her hand, squeezing it. “How are your parents?”

Her silver eyes glow with an easy happiness that perfectly matches her personality. She has always been a sweetheart, even when she was just a little girl. I’ve always considered her the light to Noah’s dark.

“They’re good. Keeping busy. The new gym is opening in a few months, so Dad’s been there practically twenty-four seven. Mom’s trying to keep up with all of my brother’s baseball games and fundraisers.”

“Oh, we know all about sports and how taxing it can be to plan around. I’ll have to give her a call this week,” I say.

“She’d like that.”

“Word on the grapevine is you’ve been training Noah too?” Oakley asks. He’s slowly migrated to my side in the time I’ve been speaking to Tiny and wraps his arm around my back.

“Is the grapevine Addie?” She laughs softly before reaching toward Noah and flicking him in one of his bulging biceps. He stares intensely at her, just like always. “But yes. He’s one of my best clients.”

“You better be paying her,” Oakley tells Noah.

I lightly jab my elbow into my husband’s side. “I doubt Tiny wants him to pay her.”

“I don’t!” she rushes out. “He tries to, though.”

Noah’s eyes tighten at the corners, obviously not liking her having to come to his aid. I barely have time to prepare myself for the inevitable bickering that always breaks out between Noah and Oakley.

“Why does it matter if I pay her? Are you trying to see if I’m actually as broke and unsuccessful as you think I am?”

Oakley’s arm tenses. I frown. “We don’t think you’re unsuccessful, honey.”

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