Epilogue

"Ma," Josh hollered from across the garden. "Can I pick some of these greens for Charlie Junior?"

"Yes, of course. Just don't accidentally grab the hot peppers. They made him sick last time."

"Farley's chewing on the rope fencing Miss Caroline put around her cucumbers."

"Miss Caroline's going to follow through on her threat and pin that dog's floppy ears back if he doesn't stay out of her pickling cukes."

"What are you two yammering about?" Luke asked, coming up from behind her to wrap his arms around her swollen belly.

"I want to pick some greens for my guinea pig, and Farley's chewing on rope again," Josh summarized quickly.

Leaning forward, Luke pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck before reminding their son, "No peppers for Charlie Junior."

Josh waved his hand in understanding and then ran out of the garden and into the open yard, Farley close on his heels.

"Where are you going, Josh?" Luke called out.

"Away from all that mushy, kissy stuff."

Daisy bit back a giggle. "Wait until he sees what's to become of all this kissy stuff in less than five months."

Luke ran his hand across her belly a second time. "He understands you're going to have a baby. It likely won't sink in until his brother or sister arrives."

"I received a letter from Tulip this morning," Daisy said. "She's thinking of coming for a visit around the time the baby's due. Her aunts sent their best and wanted to remind you to recommend them to your friends who are looking for a wife."

"They're still at it, are they? Making matches and all."

"I can't tell you the number of times they've threatened to retire. They enjoy what they do, so I imagine it won't happen any time soon."

"I do owe them a lot," he admitted. "A lifetime of happiness to be exact."

"Yes, a lifetime sounds wonderful. You, me, Josh, and two or three more for good measure."

He shot her a look. "Two or three more? I don't remember agreeing to that."

"How about we go inside and discuss it?"

Luke scooped her up in his arms and darted toward the porch. "You're a sly one, Missus Addison. You know I can't refuse you anything."

Daisy pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Precisely as it should be, Mister Addison. Precisely indeed."