If Jeremy had found the McClains a little overwhelming at Sunday dinner, that was nothing to the way they reacted when Rebekah announced their engagement. All of a sudden, there were a million different voices asking questions, and Rebekah laughed as she held up her hands to quiet them all.
“Hold on,” she said. “One thing at a time. First off, we won’t be getting married until later this fall. There are several things we need to get squared away first, including finding out if I’ve gotten into medical school. Dr. Hunsaker offered me a cushy job at the hospital, but I was up all night thinking about it, and I’m still convinced that I can do more good as a doctor than I can as a nurse, so I’m going for it. If I don’t get in, I’ll try again, or I’ll try a different school. I’m not going to give up.”
“Hooray for not giving up,” Marti said, and everyone laughed.
“Second, we have no idea where we’ll live after the wedding—that’s all going to depend on school. If I get into UT San Antonio, we’ll move there, and Jeremy will be able to help out his family more. If I get in somewhere else, we’ll move there. This amazing man has offered to follow me anywhere I go, so I’m feeling pretty blessed right now.”
Jeremy smiled. “I’m just trying to give back everything you’ve given me.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Candice said. “Looks like I’m getting another sappy romantic brother-in-law.”
“And you love it,” Kent replied, putting his arm around Jessica. “Look—I’m going to kiss her.”
“Ew,” Candice said, and everyone laughed again.
“Welcome to the family,” Bob said, shaking Jeremy’s hand. “I can tell how happy you make my daughter, and that means you’re all right in my book.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jeremy replied. “Your approval means a lot to me.”
“There’s just one thing I need to know,” Bob continued. “Do you play golf? On the computer, I mean. I have this game . . .”
***
“My father wore you out, didn’t he?” Rebekah asked as she walked Jeremy out.
“Yeah, but it was fun.” He leaned against the hood of his car and pulled Rebekah into his arms. “Thank you for getting that referral from Dr. Hunsaker. I’m driving out to San Antonio tomorrow to talk to my parents about it. I’d invite you to come along, but they’re such private people—I think it would be best if I talked to them about it on my own.”
“I totally understand, and I was expecting that.” Rebekah snuggled into his chest. “While you’re there, you might see about having a heart-to-heart with your dad.”
“With my dad? What do you mean?”
“He’s not angry at you because of Greg’s accident. He’s been blaming himself this whole time.”
Jeremy had been rubbing her back, but his hand went still at her words before starting up again. “I had no idea,” he said softly.
“I asked your mother about it while we were there. I was being nosy—I admit it.”
“Being nosy isn’t always a bad thing. Especially if it can help resolve misunderstandings.”
“I’m glad you feel that way and aren’t angry with me.”
“How can I be angry when you were trying to help me? What else did she say?”
“She says she wishes she knew you felt that way.”
He exhaled. “It’s not the kind of thing I could just bring up to her.”
“But now you’re being given a chance to have those tough conversations and to open those closed doors. It’s a new start, Jeremy.”
“Thanks to you.”
She laughed. “No, it would have come out in the open sooner or later without me. I just poked at it a little.”
He gathered her up tighter. “You can downplay it all you want, but the reality is, you make good things happen wherever you go. I’ve always said you’re special even without your gift, and this proves it.”
“The gift is just the frosting on top of the really amazing cake?”
“Yeah. That.” He chuckled. “I love you, Rebekah McClain. Did you know that?”
“I strongly suspected it.”
“Well, I hope all your suspicions are confirmed.” He tilted his head down and kissed her. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. I’m tempted to go in there and ask Marti to spill her guts.”
“No,” Rebekah replied. “I like living this way—every day a surprise. Especially when we’re together—it will be our own adventure, yours and mine.”
He kissed her again, then rested his chin on top of her head. “I like the sound of that.”