Epilogue #2
“Pizza’s here!” Ryder spun away from the window in the living room, where he’d been glued for the past ten minutes.
“I’ve got it!” Owen hurried to the door to pay the delivery guy and returned with five large pizzas and a container of hot wings.
Halle wrinkled her nose at Jen. “I know that pizza and chips aren’t the most nutritious dinner in the world.
” Having a health nut for a sister-in-law made her self-conscious about the corners she sometimes cut on meal preparation for convenience’s sake.
She pulled the plastic wrapper off a stack of paper plates and set them on the bar, knowing she was doing the best she could.
At her request, Owen had selected thin crust over the deep-dish crust that would’ve been oozing with extra cheese.
To appease her conscience further, she’d asked him to order extra veggies on one pizza.
“Oh, ye of little faith!” Jen stood beside the bar, gently rocking Harper.
Her niece had a belly full of milk and was snoozing contentedly in her arms. “I’m the one who brought the chips, remember?
” Her eyes twinkled merrily. “I can guarantee they’re packed with enough nutrition for kids, nursing moms, grown men, and sisters of grown men alike. ”
“Uh-oh! What did you do to them?” Halle was almost afraid to ask.
“I baked them myself,” Jen announced proudly. “You’re welcome.”
“I will admit to being her partner in crime.” Rex stepped around Jen, brandishing the basket of homemade chips.
Halle didn’t miss the besotted look he gave her sister-in-law and figured it was only a matter of time before he got down on a knee and offered Jen a ring.
For a woman who’d never married or had children of her own, Jen was a natural at rocking babies to sleep.
No doubt she’d gotten plenty of practice while helping her brother raise the twins.
Rex unveiled the chips by removing the red-and-white checked towel Jen had covered them with, setting the basket on the serving bar with a gallant flourish.
“Whoa!” Ryder hopped up on a stool to peer inside the basket, eyes growing wide. “Those look cool!”
Cooper climbed onto the lower rung of his brother’s stool to have a look. “They’re all different colors. I want to try them all!”
The sparkle in Jen’s eyes grew downright cocky. “Such a cool aunt!”
After Owen gathered everyone in the kitchen and said grace over the food, the boys dove for the chips before the pizza. They tried each color and pronounced them the best chips they’d ever eaten.
Halle pulled Jen aside. “Is it a secret family recipe, or are you willing to share?”
“Brussels sprouts baked to perfection,” she teased.
Halle rolled her eyes. “Nice try, but those aren’t Brussels sprouts.”
“True.” Jen chuckled. “They’re actually thin-sliced carrots, white potatoes, blue potatoes, and zucchini. I lightly tossed them in olive oil and sea salt, then baked them until they were crispy.”
“They’re a hit with the boys.” Halle mentally recorded the recipe, intending to try it soon.
Jen joined the boys at the cabinet, refusing to tell them how she’d turned the blue chips blue. They launched into a volley of guessing—each guess more ridiculous than the last.
Owen’s arms slid around Halle’s waist from behind. He kissed her cheek. “Thank you for all your hard work today and every day.”
She wasn’t sure what he was talking about. “You and the other guys did all the heavy lifting.”
“I’m not talking about the heavy lifting.
” He brushed his lips against the side of her neck.
“I’m talking about the way you take care of everyone around you, while juggling two pesky boys and a nursing baby.
For loving us and completing our family.
For overcoming challenges no one should ever have to face to make Garrett Farm our home. ”
“Well, in that case,” she laughed softly and drew his head down for a real kiss, “you’re very, very, very welcome, Mr. Tolliver.”
“They’re kissing again,” Ryder grumbled from the other side of the room.
“Yeah, they always do that.” Cooper added. “I’m not sure why. Kissing is kind of gross.”
“Oh, really?” Owen raised his head to waggle his eyebrows playfully at Halle. “Think they’re just saying that because they feel left out?”
She held back a snicker as she caught on to what he had in mind. “Let’s find out,” she hissed. “I’ll take Coop.”
“I’ll take Ryder.” He did a quick 3-2-1 countdown.
They sprinted toward the twins, caught them by surprise, and planted a kiss on the tops of their heads before they knew what had happened.
“Aw! No fair!” Cooper started to wipe the kiss off, but Halle gave him a laughing head shake. “You remove it, and I’ll replace it with another one, buddy. See if I don’t.”
“Fine.” His grin was almost wider than his face. “I guess it’s not as gross as Harper’s drool.”
“I’m flattered. I really am.” She swiped a blue chip from the bowl in front of him and popped it into her mouth, pretty sure life couldn’t get better than this.
Thank you for reading
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