Forgiving Hearts: For Better or Worse Part 24

When they walked into the kitchen, she asked, "Do you want some coffee?"

"Not this late."

Her glance followed his to the clock on the wall. "I didn't realize we'd been outside so long."

"We should be getting to bed. Our daughter will be up at the crack of dawn." He shut off the lights and followed her down the hallway, stopping just outside her room. "I enjoyed my first dance lesson. I'd like to do it again some time."

"Me, too."

He hesitated and then said, "I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Hannah."

"It doesn't have to be goodnight, Jackson," she whispered. "Not unless you want it that way."

He held her hands against his chest. She could feel the drumming of his heart. A heart she knew was hers.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked in a low voice.

She nodded. "You don't have to be content with so little anymore."

Epilogue.

Jackson heard the front door open and the distinctive slapping sound of flip flops. The scene was reminiscent of another one that had taken her away from him. His wait for Hannah had been long and their path to happiness anything but smooth. Even so, the past year had more than made up for all the others.

Her feet came into view. "I brought you some tea."

"I'll be right out." He scooted out from under the truck and pulled a towel out of his pocket. After wiping his hands, he took the gla.s.s from her. "Thanks. It's hotter out here than I realized."

"Are you almost finished?"

"I'll be about ten more minutes."

"Good." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

He grinned. "What's got into you? You don't usually get anywhere near me when I'm covered in grease."

"Today is special."

Jackson handed her the empty gla.s.s and started picking up the tools scattered over the driveway. "Well, it's not our anniversary and it's no one's birthday, so I'm officially stumped."

"Quit talking and get moving."

He lunged for her, but she ran to the portico. "Just wait until I get in there," he teased. "There are only so many places you can hide."

She stopped at the front door and looked back at him, a shy smile on her lips. "Who says I want to hide?"

After pulling the truck into the garage, he strolled into the kitchen. Hannah was sitting on the counter eating an apple. He walked over and placed his hands on either side of her.

"Can whatever is special about today wait until I take a shower?"

"No way; I'm too excited."

"Okay, then, what is it?"

She put down the apple and retrieved something behind her. "Do you know what this is?"

Jackson glanced at the white stick in her hand. "No."

"It's part of a pregnancy test."

He jerked up suddenly, his face going pale underneath his tan. "Are you?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes, Jackson. We're going to have a baby."

He lifted her off the counter and into his arms. "That's so much better than what I thought you were going to say."

"What were you expecting?"

"That you won the auction on eBay for that antique clock you've been drooling over for weeks."

Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck. "That wouldn't be enough to make this day special. I was beginning to think it wasn't going to happen; you know, getting pregnant."

Jackson laughed. "It was the natural course of events."

She buried her flushed cheeks in his neck. "It took so much longer than I thought it would."

"I didn't realize you were worried about it."

"You've given me so much," she said slowly. "I wanted to give something to you."

He took her lips in a long, sweet kiss. "I'll love this baby just as I love Sophia, but you need to understand something. You've already given me more than I ever dreamed of.

The End.

Also by Erin Landy:.

His Flower Girl.

Haunted by a mistake in her past, Ivy is determined to let G.o.d lead her to the right man the one made for her. But waiting isn't easy, especially when her job puts her around weddings on a daily basis. Is Ivy destined to always be the florist and never the bride?

Axel left his religious beliefs behind long ago. Now a successful attorney, he has everything he ever wanted - everything except love. He can't seem to find the woman who will make all the others insignificant. Is he searching for someone who doesn't exist?

Finding the Way Back: Book One in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy.

Laurel thought life had dealt her its worst blow when her marriage fell apart. For almost a year, she worked to put herself back together. These efforts culminated in a new job in a new place. Away from all the reminders of pain and humiliation, she can begin again. But what if her attempt to escape doesn't take her away from Colton, but brings her to him instead?

Colton is reaping the sorrow and misery he deserves. For the worst of reasons, he hurt the woman he loves. Laurel's heart won't heal easily or ever without G.o.d's help. Will she give him the chance to regain her trust? Or will he be forced to live the rest of his life without her?.

end.