Treasure on Lilac Lane (Jewell Cove 2)

Rick burst out laughing. “She was pretty worried about telling you. I know it’s kind of sudden.”

“Oh, honey, it’s not sudden at all. You two had eyes for each other before either of you hit puberty. Then you just got … caught up in troubles and forgot for a while. Those troubles are over, though, right?” She looked sternly at both of them.

“Meggie, troubles are never completely over. But I started seeing someone to help me deal with stuff rather than trying to drink it away. And Jess … well, she’s the strongest woman I’ve ever known. We just take it a day at a time and get through it together.”

Meggie reached over and took his good hand. “And that’s the only way to go through life. I’m happy for you both. I was starting to worry Jess would never get married!”

Jess raised an eyebrow. “Well then, the next news should totally freak you out.”

Rick started to laugh and the

n bit it back. Jess gave him an elbow, but the both of them were smiling like fools when they faced Meggie again.

“We’re having a baby. Hope you don’t mind being a grandma again.”

“Mind? Are you kidding? I’m thrilled! Even though you kind of did things out of order.” She waggled a finger at them. “You’re feeling okay?”

Rick put his arm around Jess’s shoulders and she nodded at her mother. “A little sick in the mornings, but otherwise fine. And Rick’s taking good care of me. He’s going to make me go home and put my feet up now.”

“Darn right.”

Meggie’s eyes watered. “I wish your dad were here to see this. And your mom, too, Rick. Roberta would have been so happy for you both.”

Jess reached out for her mother’s hand. The rest of the news—about Rick, about Marian, all of it—could wait for another time. “Now you just have to worry about Josh.”

“Don’t get me started. He’s buried himself in work lately. You’d think he was chief of surgery at some big hospital rather than a small-town GP…”

Jess smiled to herself. It would be nice to have Josh be the focus of everyone’s concern rather than her. “We decided that we’re going to live in Rick’s house. It’s made for families. Maybe a dog. A little craziness. And Rick’s going to use my loft as his studio. The space and lighting are perfect.”

“And have you set a date?”

Rick nodded. “Next week, at Abby and Tom’s in the drawing room. Just family.”

“Next week?” Meggie’s mouth dropped open.

Jess looked into Rick’s eyes.

“Well,” he said softly, his loving gaze locked on hers, “when you find the person you’re going to spend forever with, you want forever to start as soon as possible.”