style="font-size:15px;"> “All right. So we’ll each be a parent to the kids, okay? See, things are working out, aren’t they?”
Suzanne swung around to stare out the truck window. She hadn’t set out thinking she’d actually marry Ryan, but somehow the evening had been spent planning their wedding, two days away. “I guess so,” she said softly with a sigh.
“Good.” He replied and neither of them spoke again the rest of the way home.
The children were very tired and a little unsettled that Suzanne and Ryan were out after dark. Suzanne sent Josh off to the main bathroom while she took Mandy to the other one for a quick bath after telling Ryan and Beth goodnight.
“Did you have fun tonight?” she asked Mandy.
The little girl leaned against Suzanne’s arm and said, “I like Beth.”
“Good. I think you’ll get to play with her a lot soon.”
“Okay,” Mandy said, her eyelids slowly going lower. Suzanne got her out of the bath and dried her off. She felt bad about not telling the children about the wedding. But she wanted to wait—to be sure it would really happen. It seemed so make-believe to her.
THE PHONE STARTED ringing early the next morning. Jessica had decided to throw her a shower. Suzanne was stunned. “But Jessica, the wedding is tomorrow.”
“I know. That’s why we’ll have the shower tonight. Melanie and Alex are going to help me. You haven’t met them yet, but you will this evening. It will be fun.”
“But I don’t know anyone here!”
“Maybe not, but most everyone knew Mary Lee and Rodger. We liked them both. And we’re glad the kids will have a good home. So just think of it as a tribute to your cousin and her husband. Does that make it easier?”
With tears in her eyes, Suzanne agreed. What else could she do? “Thank you. That’s very sweet of you.”
“Okay. Ryan will pick you up at seven. Bring Mandy and Beth with you. It’s a girl thing. Ryan will take Josh with him to the bachelor party.”
Suzanne was stunned by that statement. “Don’t you think Josh is a little young for a bachelor party?”
“These bachelor parties are different. They meet at the restaurant and play darts. Ryan will take care of him.”
“If you’re sure.”
After the phone call, Suzanne found a pretty dress in her city wardrobe that would be fine for the party tonight. Then she checked Mandy’s closet. The only party dress Mandy had turned out to be outgrown. She called Ryan.
“Does Beth have a party dress?”
“Uh, I don’t think so. Why?”
“Because they’re giving me a shower tonight and the girls are supposed to go with me. Mandy needs a new dress. I thought I’d drive into town and see what I can find. Shall I buy one for Beth, too?”
“Would you know what size?”
“Of course not. I would need Beth to go with us.”
“Uh, okay. You want Josh to stay here with me?”
“I don’t think he has anything to wear either. Would I be able to find a suit for him?”
“Maybe. But nice slacks and a white shirt would be dressy enough.”
It suddenly occurred to her to ask about his wardrobe. “You are wearing a suit tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am. They were just joking about me being a heathen, Suzanne.”
“Would you have Beth ready in about half an hour?”
“Yeah.”
She should’ve checked with Mac about the children’s allowance before now. Looking in Mandy’s closet reminded her that Mandy would need more clothes. She’d apparently just had a growth spurt. When she announced to the children they were going into town with her to get new clothes, Mandy clapped her hands, even though Suzanne wasn’t sure she understood what she was going to do. Josh frowned at her.
“Why?”
“Mmm. Well, I have something to tell you. Mr. Walker and I are—are going to get married tomorrow.”
Both children stared at her. Josh finally said, “What happens to us?”
“Sweetheart, you’ll come with me wherever I go. We’re family. We’re just going to have a larger family. You and Mandy and Beth will be our children.” No response. She asked, “Will that be okay?”
“So we’ll live in his house?”
“Yes.”
“Who will live here?”
That question hadn’t occurred to Suzanne. “Josh, I don’t know. I suppose we could rent it out, but—we’ll ask Mr. Walker, I mean Ryan, when we go pick up Beth.”
“We’re going to take Beth with us?”
Uh-oh. “Don’t you like Beth?”
“She’s bossy.”
“We’ll work things out. But she’s used to being an only child. It may take her a little while to get used to having a brother and sister.”
Suzanne tried to discuss cheerful things after that. But when they got to Ryan’s place, she remembered Josh’s question. “Ryan, who will live in the house on our place?”
“I was going to ask you about that. I’ve got a good man who deserves to be manager. But I’ve already got a manager. I thought I’d make him manager of that land and let him and his wife live there. They’re expecting a baby soon and don’t have much room where they’re living. Would that be all right?”
“Yes, of course. Did you hear, Josh? Some people who are going to have a new baby.”
“A boy baby?”
Suzanne looked at Ryan. He squatted down in front of Josh. “Yeah, Josh, they’re having a boy baby. Another cowboy.”
“Good. My daddy was going to teach me to be a cowboy. But now he can’t.” Josh’s sad eyes almost made Suzanne break into tears.
Ryan, however, took care of the situation. “No, he can’t, but I can. Want me to teach you?”
“Even how to ride?”
“Well, of course. Riding is the first thing to learn.”
“Daddy said it was too dangerous for me to learn now.”
“But you’re older now. You’ll take to it right away. After things have settled down, I’ll show you how.”
“I
