Becca rushed back into the kitchen to grab the banana pudding out of the refrigerator. Pride took over as she grabbed the beautiful dish her mother had always used to serve their favorite Easter dessert. Just like that, a tear sprang to her eye.

She laid it on the counter to grab a serving spoon when a hand caressed her lower back. She turned to find Jase smiling at her, but as soon as he saw her glassy eyes, he frowned. “What’s wrong, babe?”

Shaking off her melancholy, she shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Before she could turn to the utensil drawer, he grabbed her hands, pulled her into his body, and leaned his forehead onto hers. “Hey. I miss her, too. But I felt her here today. Sitting with us at that table as we ate all the food she used to make. Tasted just like she’d been in that kitchen, Beck.”

A stupid tear made it down her cheek. She’d just successfully pulled off her first official Easter dinner for ten people. She and Jase, his mother, Hannah, Tyler, Lia, Caleb, and her father and his girlfriend Evelyn. “You think?” she said weakly.

“It was amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

He kissed her lips just as Hannah walked in. They pulled away, both still feeling a little awkward around her sister, although she appeared to be completely fine with them.

“Okay, don’t be mad at me.” Hannah looked guilty. “But I like her. When she started asking about Mom . . .”

“I know.” Becca fanned her own eyes, not wanting to cry anymore. “I know.”

Evelyn had so sweetly asked them about all the dishes, complimented their mother’s taste in food, and asked about their family’s Easter traditions. It had been so unexpected and kind. Even more surprising, it was obvious that Evelyn knew quite a bit about their mother, which meant their father had spoken lovingly about her. To his new girlfriend. Then the way he’d smiled and squeezed her hand on the table . . . Becca could tell the conversation at the table had meant a lot to him. It had meant a lot to her and obviously Hannah, too.

Jase smiled, kissed Becca’s cheek, and grabbed the banana pudding. “You ladies bring the bowls and spoons.”

When he was gone, Hannah walked over and wrapped her arms around Becca. “Thanks for letting me help cook, but you nailed this meal. It was like having Mama back.”

Becca hugged her sister and felt another tear escape. Together—okay, mostly her—they had tackled a giant honey ham, the famous mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, roasted green beans, and even their mother’s amazing scratch rolls. Not to mention the salad Lia had brought and the deviled eggs from Evelyn. It had been a beautiful day with amazing people.

Hannah pulled away and wiped her eyes just as Evelyn stepped in. “Can I help you girls with anything? It feels so strange to be served,” she said, laughing.

“Well, I suppose you could carry the bowls out.” Becca went to the cupboard and grabbed the stack and handed it to Evelyn.

Hannah grabbed the spoons and they all headed back to the dining room for dessert. Once everyone had a helping, her father cleared his throat. “I have an announcement I’d like to make.”

Becca and Hannah gave each other quick smiles, because they knew what was coming. Their father had talked to them about it the week before, when Becca had been here for her spring break. She and Jase had been taking turns driving on the weekends ever since the night of the storm. He’d come to Kansas City several times, but mostly she came here because it’s where her family was; besides, he’d needed to be here to work his cattle. They’d already spent several afternoons watching the vet stick his hand where no hand should go to see who was pregnant. So far it appeared that Pitch the bull had done his job successfully.

“You all know that Evelyn and I have been seeing each other for a while,” her dad said.

Becca smiled over at Jase, who raised an eyebrow. He had no clue what was coming, which made this even more exciting. Grabbing his hand under the table, she gave it a squeeze. He squeezed back.

“Well, we’ve decided to make it official and move in together. So, I’ll be moving to Manhattan soon.”

She could feel Jase stiffen beside her. Giving him a quick wink and another hand squeeze, she waited for her father to go on.

“So that means I need to sell this house.” He looked right at Jase. “And since you love it here so much, and your precious bull and cows are here, I figured I might as well give you first dibs on the pastureland. I know money is tight right now, but we’ll work something out to make this happen.”

Her father nodded at Jase.

“Tim . . . I . . .” Jase glanced at Becca. She smiled back at him. He deserved this land so much. He was one of them.

“Mama would want you to have it,” Hannah said across the table.

“That’s right,” Becca agreed.

“Thank you, Tim,” Jase said, an obvious lump in his throat. “What about the house?”

“I’m buying it,” Becca said.

Jase jerked his head toward her, eyes round. “What? Are you serious?”

She nodded. “Yep. We’ll be neighbors again once school’s out.”

“Pshh, yeah. That’ll last one hot second,” Hannah snarked from across the table, elbowing Jase’s mom who nodded in agreement.

With a grin, Jase reached out and wrapped his arms around Becca, pressing a kiss to her neck. “Holy shit,” he muttered, making everyone at the table laugh.

As soon as they were done with the meal, everyone got up. There were congratulations and hugs spread around.

When they finally had a moment alone, Jase pulled Becca into the hall and up the stairs. They rushed into her bedroom and he shut the door before rounding on her. There was a goofy grin on his face. “What the hell just happened?”

She walked into his arms. “Are you happy?”

“Of course I am, but what about you? Your job? You’ve made so many friends lately.”

“I have, but they’re happy for me. We can visit KC anytime we want. As for my job, I’ve interviewed twice with Roosevelt Private School in Manhattan. They offered me a position.”

“Becca, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” she said.

He pulled her into his arms. “It’s totally a surprise. I can’t even believe it. But I don’t want you to do anything for my sake. I want you to be happy.”

“I will be. I’m not trying to rush anything, Jase. I hope you realize that. I don’t want you to feel pressured, I just . . . I finally just realize how much I love it here.”

He touched her face. “I hope you love it here mostly because you love me, Beck, because I love you.”

Tears sprang to her eyes and she nodded. “I love you, too.”

He smiled. “This is exactly what I want. You home. In this home. And maybe . . . maybe someday we should have babies in this home. Try and re-create the magic I always felt here with your family. I want that, Becca. Would you like that?”

She laughed through her tears. “Yes. I would like that. I would love it. Children and cows. What more could I want?”

He chuckled, kissing her on the lips. “Good. Now . . .” He looked down at her bed. The same one he’d lain in years ago as a broken young man, and she’d held his hand. “I’m sleeping in the bed with you tonight whether Tim likes it or not.”

She laughed. “Okay. I’ll let you tell him.”