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“I guess I got my answer then.” Daniel beamed down at her, and she felt just about ready to become a puddle on the floor.
“Good night, Jo.”
“Good night.” She breathed silently.
Daniel turned and walked down the porch to get to his car. Jo watched him until the car pulled out of the driveway, then she closed the door and leaned against it. A broad smile broke out on her lips, and her chest felt warm. That night she had a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
* * *
Jo woke up feeling refreshed. She stretched languidly, a smile blossoming on her lips, as memories from the night before came seeping into her mind. She put the pad of her index and middle fingers against her mouth, remembering how firm his lips had been against hers. A flush came to her cheeks as the telltale fluttering started up in her stomach. Slowly, she swung her feet over the side of the bed and made her way toward the bathroom to freshen up for the day. She knew her family would be coming over as they’d promised last week that this would be the new routine for Sundays. She probably needed to be ready to go help her sisters prepare for their arrival.
Jo could hear voices coming from the kitchen, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee hit her nostrils, waking her up more than she was.
“Uncle Luke, Aunt Maria, you’re here,” she greeted, surprised the minute she entered the kitchen and saw them. “I didn’t know you were coming here so early.” She noted the trays of food already on display and had to look at the wall clock to confirm she hadn’t slept half the day away. It was a little past eight in the morning.
“We figured you’d be wiped out from your date last night, so we decided to just get an early start on things,” he explained, pulling her into a tight hug.
“She was wiped out all right. Literally half of her lipstick,” Cora teased. Jo stared daggers into her sister, mortified by her comment. She couldn’t believe she actually watched them.
“Don’t tease your sister, sweetheart,” Becky joined in. “Besides, he is a lovely young man,” she praised Daniel, turning to give her daughter a warm smile. “Samuel liked him very much too. I know he would have approved of you two, as I have.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Jo wrapped her mother, who was smaller than her, into her arms.
“All right. I’m here now, everyone. The party can get started.”
Everyone turned to look at Kerry, who had stacks of pastry boxes in her hands while she sported a wide smirk.
“I raided my shop, and I brought croissant rolls, Danish, and raspberry strudels… you know this isn’t a get-together without a little bit of sweetness.”
At this, everyone laughed heartily. Before long, the party had moved outside. Some were playing poker while others just sat and talked. A broad, appreciative smile came over Jo’s face as she looked out across the vast expanse of her family and how everyone was having a wonderful time. It warmed her heart to the fullest. Coming home had been the best decision she’d made in a very long time.
