Chapter 47
Let Them Laugh
The world felt different the next morning. Lighter. Warmer. Like someone had opened a window in his chest and finally let the light in.
He’d expected to feel awkward after kissing Tessa—twice—but instead there was a calm certainty beneath his ribs. There was a quiet sense of rightness beneath it all.
Tessa moved quietly around the kitchen, stirring porridge on the stove while Sam sliced apples beside her. Every so often their hands brushed, and instead of flinching or apologizing, they simply… smiled.
Scout sat between them like a furry chaperone who’d finally approved the arrangement.
“Head still doing better?” Tessa asked, glancing at Sam’s temple.
“Much better,” he said. “Pretty sure kissing helps.”
Tessa made a soft sound—half a laugh, half a warning—and nudged his arm lightly with the back of her hand. “You behave.”
He leaned closer. “Don’t think I want to.”
Her eyes flicked up to his—warm and full of invitation—and the air between them tightened pleasantly.
The porch creaked.
Bootsteps.
They both froze for a heartbeat.
Then they looked at each other, and Tessa whispered, “Don’t you dare move.”
Sam grinned. “Not this time.”
The door opened.
And Jo Howe burst in carrying two baskets of eggs and chattering before she even crossed the threshold.
“Sam, Abby said you’re due for more flour and Reed says—”
She stopped.
Her eyes went wide.
Because Sam had just set the apple knife down. Taken one step forward. And slid a hand to Tessa’s waist.
Tessa didn’t blush or stammer or pull away.
She stepped into him, lifting her chin, eyes soft, ready.
Jo blinked rapidly. “Oh.”
Sam kissed Tessa.
The kiss wasn’t timid or rushed this time, only sure and steady and full of quiet promise.
Tessa’s hands slid up his arms, fingers curling lightly into his shirt. The kiss deepened—both of them smiling into it—and Jo stared at them in open astonishment.
“Oh!” she squeaked. “Reed! Get in here!”
Reed stepped in slower, cautious. “Jo, what are you—oh.”
He stared.
Then he grinned. “Well, it’s about time.”
Sam pulled back only enough to breathe—not enough to step away—and glanced over Tessa’s shoulder, voice calm: “Morning, Jo. Morning, Reed.”
Tessa didn’t step away either. If anything, she stayed closer, cheeks warm but eyes shining with shy pride.
Jo pressed a hand over her mouth dramatically. “I cannot believe you’re finally kissing her in front of people.”
Sam raised a brow. “In front of people is all we get around here.”
Tessa laughed softly and leaned her head lightly against Sam’s shoulder. Jo made a sound halfway between a gasp and a swoon.
Reed elbowed his wife. “Told you it’d happen.”
“You told me it would take three more weeks,” Jo shot back.
“I misjudged Sam’s learning curve.”
Sam flushed. “Hey now—”
But Tessa hugged his arm gently. “You’re doing just fine.”
Jo fanned herself. “Oh, my word, she’s sweet on him too.”
Tessa smiled—that soft, warmed-through smile Sam was quickly learning he never wanted to go without. “I never said I wasn’t.”
Both Jo and Reed froze.
Sam blinked. “You didn’t?”
Tessa shrugged lightly. “It wasn’t a secret. Not to me.”
Jo let out a delighted squeal and launched herself at Tessa, nearly knocking Sam back as she hugged her tightly. “Oh, this is the best day.”
Reed shook his head, amusement all over his face. “I’ll make sure Abby doesn’t blow a gasket when she hears.”
“I don’t think Abby will be surprised,” Tessa said, cheeks pink.
Reed and Jo exchanged a meaningful look.
Sam frowned. “Why is everyone acting like you already knew?”
Jo stared at him. “Honey… you’ve been mooning over her for months.”
“I haven’t been mooning.”
Tessa murmured, “You’ve been mooning a little.”
Sam groaned. “Great. Wonderful.”
Reed clapped him on the shoulder. “Relax. It’s about time you let yourself have something good.”
Sam stilled—because it hit something deep and older than he expected. Reed meant it. Jo meant it. Abby and Rafe would mean it. Eli already adored Tessa. Isaac looked at her like she brought the sun.
Tessa squeezed Sam’s fingers lightly. “He’s right, you know.”
Sam turned to her, the hint of a smile tugging his lips. “You’re good.”
“I know,” she whispered.
Scout barked from the corner as if seconding the statement.
That was when the back door flew open and Eli barreled in, Isaac right behind him.
“Sam! Tessa! Jessie says—”
Eli stopped cold.
Isaac’s mouth fell open.
Sam braced himself—expecting Tessa to pull away.
But she didn’t.
Instead, she straightened proudly beside him, her hand slipping comfortably into his.
Isaac blinked up at both of them. “Are you… are you two gonna get married?”
Tessa’s breath caught—she looked startled, then sheepish, then flustered.
Sam knelt carefully beside Isaac, steadying his balance. “It’s a little early for that, bud.”
Isaac frowned. “But you kissed. And you look like people who love each other.”
Tessa turned very pink.
Jo clapped both hands over her mouth again.
Reed laughed outright.
Sam touched Isaac’s shoulder gently. “We’re figuring it out.”
Isaac nodded solemnly. “Okay. Eli says you’re allowed to like her.”
Eli blinked, betrayed. “Isaac—!”
“What?” Isaac said innocently. “You told me he liked her.”
Eli sputtered. “Not to say it.”
But Sam just laughed—full, warm, unguarded laughter that seemed to ease the last tight place in his chest.
He looked at Tessa.
She looked right back.
They shared a smile—quiet and certain—and Sam lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles softly.
Eli turned slightly away. “Oh, now they’re really doing it.”
Reed muttered, “This valley is doomed.”
Jo sighed dramatically. “This valley is blessed.”
Tessa leaned in and kissed Sam’s cheek gently—a simple, bold gesture that made him nearly forget to breathe.
Outside, the wind shifted.
Inside, two families—the Howes and the Fletchers—stood in the kitchen of a house that suddenly felt more like a home.
And Sam realized something with absolute clarity:
Nothing about this was an interruption anymore.
Things finally felt like they were settling where they belonged.