“Hurry up,” she told him.
“I’d go faster with coffee,” he grumbled.
She held up the to-go cup she’d put on the dresser. His eyes lit up.
“Have I told you I love you?” He reached for the coffee.
“Once or twice.” She laughed.
At last they managed to get down the stairs and out of the house. Jena wriggled in her seat all the way through a town that looked pretty empty for the time of the morning. Highland folk tended to start their days early, yet there was no one in sight.
“Just think,” Jena said, “in a few short months the house will be finished and decorated and we can move in.” She grinned wickedly. “Then, of course, we’ll have to christen every room.”
“Evil woman,” he said.
They drove up the quiet country lane towards her land, and Jena could see the field the council had been working in. They were filling the holes the mine made. By the time they finished, the area would be stable and safe. It was slow work, but at some point the field would be covered in grass once again. As they turned the corner to their new build, Jena’s jaw dropped. The road was filled with people. It seemed like the whole town was there.
Jena turned to Matt. “Did you know about this?”
“Nope, but are you really surprised?”
Surprised didn’t cover it. She was shocked as hell. They squeezed into a parking spot and climbed out to cheers. People were milling around drinking coffee from flasks and chatting.
The Donaldsons descended on the pair. Jena was engulfed in a hug from Heather, who insisted Jena call her Mum. Something Jena loved to do.
“Isn’t it exciting?” Heather said.
“Aye, so exciting that Jena hardly slept last night. I’m knackered from all her bouncing around.”
“I don’t want to hear about what you two do in bed, son,” Heather said with a twinkle in her eye.
Claire took her turn to hug them, and Jena grabbed the opportunity to have another look at her ring. Grunt had gone all out on a diamond and sapphire combination. “It is so beautiful.” Jena sighed.
Claire looked up at Grunt with adoration. “I love it too. I couldn’t have done what you two did. It was romantic, the rush wedding in the hospital, but I’m glad we’re going the more traditional route. I’m having a great time planning the wedding, and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on the ring.”
Matt stiffened beside her. “I can get you an engagement ring if you want one.”
Jena rolled her eyes. “It’s a bit late for that, He-Man.”
“I don’t want you to feel you missed out.”
“I don’t.” She grinned up at him. “Still, if you want to make it up to me, I saw a real cute ankle bracelet the other day. It would go a long way towards fixing any hurt feelings that may be hiding deep inside.”
“Minx.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
“When’s the wedding?” Jena asked Claire.
“Next May. That gives us the year to plan. Plus, I want a spring wedding.”
“Let me know if I can help.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Claire gaped at her. “You’re one of the bridesmaids. I thought you knew.”
Jena blinked at her. “You didn’t tell me.”
“You’re family.” Claire shrugged. “I assumed you’d figure it out.”
Jena was about ten seconds away from smacking her insane sister-in-law. “I’ve never had a family. How am I supposed to know these things?”