Page 112 of Peaks and Promises

“I took my boys and moved in with my parents for a while. They were wonderful. So supportive and loved on my boys when they needed it. And one day, my brother came by. When he told us about what had happened to Paul, my mother insisted he invite Paul and his kids over for dinner. So, he did.

“Paul came over with his boys, and we had the most amazing conversation. And that’s significant, because Paul is not a talker. But he talked that night. In between changing diapers, soothing tantrums, and handing out snacks, we told each other everything. All our losses and heartbreaks. All our fears and worries for the future.”

“You had so much in common.”

“We did. Because of that, we became fast friends. We started getting together for playdates. It was such a relief to spend time with someone who didn’t see my kids as a burden. He had his own, and he knew exactly what it was like. It didn’t matter if one of the boys had a meltdown or a diaper blowout. We’d help each other and laugh together. He gave me hope.”

“That’s so beautiful.”

“Of course, with all that came the terrible realization that my teenage crush on Paul Haven had blossomed into something much bigger. I was in love with him, in a way I’d never been in love before. But I didn’t think he felt the same.”

I felt her words as if they were my own. Of course, I wasn’t in love with Reese. I couldn’t be. But the wistful longing in her voice spoke to my heart.

“Turns out, he had bigger feelings than I realized,” she continued. “I just hadn’t learned to speak his language yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“Words aren’t his strength. Deeds are. He showed me he loved me in all kinds of ways. Spending time with me, teaching my boys to throw a ball or tie their shoes. Fixing things once I got my own place. If I had so much as a creak in the floor, he’d be there.”

“Did something happen to make you both realize you felt the same way?”

Her mouth turned up in a smile. “One night, he and the boys came over. It had been a long week for both of us, so we put all the kids in pajamas and let them watch a movie. We left them to it and went into the kitchen. I was about to ask him if he wanted to order a pizza for dinner, when he stepped up, took my face in his hands, and kissed me.”

I placed a hand on my chest. “Oh, that’s so romantic.”

“It was incredibly romantic. And then he simply said, ‘Marlene, I want to marry you.’ It was as if everything that had happened before that moment suddenly made sense. Everything we’d been through had led us to each other.”

“Was it hard to bring all those kids together in one household?”

“Yes and no. Six young boys is a lot. And it wasn’t long before I was pregnant with our daughter. People probably thought we were crazy. But I disagree. We weren’t crazy at all. We just loved big enough to make it work, even when it was challenging.”

“That’s a lot of love in one house.”

“Paul sets the standard. He doesn’t always say much, but he loves bigger than anyone I’ve ever met. He loved my boys like his own even before that kiss in the kitchen. And his boys are mine. They needed a mom, and I’ve never seen that as a burden. It’s a gift. They’re a gift. And so is Paul.”

The back door opened again, and the boys’ chatter filled the room. Thomas was a little bit older, but he and Nate were the same height. Both had dirt—and smiles—on their faces.

“Hi, Mom,” Nate said. “Do we have to go? Can I stay until Thomas goes home?”

Marlene checked her watch. “Levi should be here soon to pick him up.”

“We can stay,” I said.

“Grandma, can we have root beer?” Thomas asked.

“Who told you I have root beer?”

Thomas grinned. “Grandpa.”

“Go ahead,” she said. “They’re in the extra fridge out in the shop.”

“Thanks!” the boys said in unison and scurried back out the door.

“I can’t even tell you how happy it makes me to see him with a friend,” I said.

“Thomas is an old soul, too. I’m not surprised they get along.”

I paused, gazing toward the back door, my heart full of feelings. “I’ll never regret having Nate, but getting mixed up with Axel was such a mistake. And now here I am, basically in hiding.”