Nash puts his arm out, catching me around the waist and pushing me behind his back.
“So, when’s the wedding date?” Mom asks.
“We were thinking spring. What do you think?” Nash’s tone is solicitous and warm.
I try to reach over the top of his shoulder, and he catches me by surprise as he leans down and grabs my leg at the same time, pushing me forward to be draped over his back like I’m getting a piggyback ride.
“What are you doing?” I shriek.
“I’m just trying to have a nice conversation with your mom, and you can’t keep your hands off of me,” he teases as he walks forward with me still on his back.
I glance at the phone and see my mom’s face smiling back at me.
He sits down on the couch, pushing my back against the cushions. He’s not sitting on me exactly, just leaning back against me. At least he didn’t go to the beanbag couch. I’d be flattened beneath him.
“What was your name?” he asks her.
“I’m Juniper, Magnolia’s mom. It’s so good to meet you. I only found out about you a few minutes ago.”
“So nice to meet you, Juniper,” Nash drawls. He’s not southern—it should be against the law for him to drawl. “You have a tree theme going with your names, don’t you?”
“Oh you noticed! My parents named me Juniper, and I felt like it was right to carry on the tradition with my kids. I have a Magnolia, Oakley, Linden, Hollis, and Rowan.”
Mom loves it when people notice our themed names. She’ll probably get off the phone and sew Nash a stocking for Christmas at this rate.
“How is your grandpa?” Mom asks, changing the subject.
“He’s doing better, and all his numbers are good, so we’re hopeful. Thanks for asking.”
I peek around Nash’s shoulder to see Mom looking at him seriously.
“I know how hard it is to lose parents and grandparents, so I’ll be praying he keeps improving.”
“Thank you for that. And thanks for letting me borrow your daughter. She’s been the best fiancée I’ve ever had.”
I poke him in the back, about to say,I’m the only fiancée you’ve ever had, when I remember I’m replacing a real person. So, I guess I’ve been pulled ahead on the ranking to pass one person.
I still poke him on the back just for good measure. “You’re squishing me.”
He immediately gets up and moves to sit next to me so that he’s not flattening me anymore.
“So, are you going to visit your grandfather today?” Mom asks.
“Actually, I stopped by for something else.”
Mom’s eyes go wide. “Are you dating my daughter for real? Is that why you’re there?”
“Not exactly,” Nash says. “I came to replace their broken lock.”
I elbow him in the side. He turns his head slowly and looks at me, his eyes piercing as he gazes into mine.
I raise my eyebrows and meet his glare. “Replace our lock?” I whisper, hoping that the phone doesn’t catch my voice.
“It’s not safe. You need a front door that locks.”Hedoesn’t bother to whisper.
“Magnolia Marie!” Mom exclaims. “Does your front door not lock? Why doesn’t Charlie fix it?”
“She’s been busy. Besides we have a chain lock at the top,” I explain to her.
