Page 24 of Small Town Love

“Better. She’s been icing her arm and resting it for the most part.”

“For the most part?” I ask with a laugh.

“Yeah, I keep catching her not wearing the sling. Last night, she kept trying to open this pickle jar. I thought for sure she was going to break her wrist,” she says with a sigh and an eye roll.

I laugh. Marie sounds like quite the character. She’s independent, so I don’t see her asking for help or taking it easy while her arm heals.

“Hey! Are you open yet?” a pretty brunette-haired girl asks as she pokes her head around the corner.

She looks vaguely familiar, as does the redhead who comes in behind her. The redhead has a baby on her hip and I’m guessing this is Sydney and Rowan.

“Hey, guys!” Evangeline says as she stands to hug them.

“Hey, Harper,” Evangeline coos at the baby and I suddenly have a vision of her with our baby on her hip.

I’ve never really thought about kids or starting a family, but now I can see it, and I want it.

“Sydney, Rowan, you remember Jasper. Jasper, that’s Sydney, Rowan, and Harper,” she says with a grin as she tickles the baby’s side.

“Nice to see you again,” I say as they both take me in.

I wonder if I’m up to meeting their standards. Harper giggles, clapping her hands and smiling at me, and I’m guessing that’s a good sign. At least that’s how I’m going to take it.

“Should we go look at the pretty flowers?” Rowan asks her daughter and she nods her head.

They take off walking among the plants, and I offer Sydney a donut.

“Thanks,” she says shyly.

“Want to sit?” I ask, already climbing off of my stool.

“Oh, that’s okay,” she starts.

“You can have mine. I need to go move those last planters outside,” Evangeline says but I wave her off.

“I’ll get them for you. Enjoy your breakfast.”

I drop a kiss on the top of her head before I head over to where the last of the planters are stacked by the front door and get to work.

“Need me to do anything else?” I ask Evangeline as the first few customers start to come in.

“No, I’m good,” she says with a happy smile.

“I’ve got to head out and meet with the construction crew.”

“Okay, I’ll see you tonight?”

“Yeah, I’ll pick you up for dinner at six and we can celebrate. Anywhere in particular that you want to eat at?” I ask her.

“Can we eat in?”

“Of course. Want me to cook?”

“Can you cook?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m a regular chef,” I promise her.

“Okay, Italian?” she requests, and I nod.

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