Six months later

Laden with packages, Boone walked up the newly shoveled steps of his house and into the warmth inside.

As he stomped snow off his boots, he could hear laughter in the other room. His wife, his mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother were going to decorate the Christmas tree tonight, and from the sounds of things, had already started.

His mother had ordered ornaments from France, because, well… France.

He set the presents down long enough to take off his overcoat and hand it to his butler. “Thank you, Alford.”

Ramrod straight, Alford accepted it, smoothing it over his arm. “Sir.”

The man tried so hard to stay proper at all times, but living in this house, it wasn’t easy.

“Everything go all right today?”

Alford sniffed. “The mayor came by and dropped off some papers. He also insisted that you still owe him ten dollars for marrying Mrs. Jackson.”

Boone laughed.

“Also, Mrs. Jackson ran up and down the stairs at least twenty times today.”

“Her grandmother?”

“Yes, Sir. Mrs. Jackson insists everything be perfect.”

“And I’ve no doubt it is.”

Lucy had been running about like a mad woman for weeks now as she’d prepared for her family’s Christmas visit.

She’s almost here! Everything needs to be perfect! Had been a common refrain in recent weeks. She, being her grandmother, of course. Lucy had even taken him in hand, purchasing new clothing, brushing at him frequently, and checking his fingernails.

“It’s not like she hasn’t met me before at the wedding,” he’d told her. “She knows what I do for work.”

“Yes, but you were on your best behavior then.”

He’d laughed at her, and promised to try.

“You don’t know my grandmother. Everything needs to be just so.”

She’d had his mother running around as well. Although, from the happy smile on his mother’s face, she hadn’t minded in the least. As far as she was concerned, Lucy was the best daughter-in-law ever, and could do no wrong.

Boone had just simply tried to take a step back, and hold on for the ride.

“Sir,” Alford grabbed his attention once more. “If you could explain that everything is in perfect order to your wife, I’d be most appreciative.”

“Will do, Alford.”

The butler went to hang up his coat, and Boone picked up the newly purchased presents, and entered the parlor. He couldn’t help but smile at the picture the women made as they decorated the Christmas tree.”

At a casual glance, his wife wasn’t showing just yet, and was planning to reveal the news on Christmas morning. He had no doubt the announcement would be better than any present her parents could receive.

“Boone!”

He’d never get tired of that exuberant welcome.

Lucy raced over to hug him and he enfolded her in his arms.

“Have I missed anything?”

She smiled up at him, obviously pleased to see him. “No. Father is still out shopping and the rest of us are decorating the tree. Dinner will be served soon.”

“Perfect timing, then.” He teased her with the word she’d been using for weeks now.

She mock punched him in the ribs. “Come and help us.”

As he let himself be tugged toward the huge tree he and his father-in-law had hauled in the day before, she smiled at him, and from the glee in her expression, he knew she was thinking about the announcement she was to make tomorrow.

His mother, and her parents and grandmother would be over the moon at the new addition to the family in five months’ time. He was only surprised she’d been able to keep it a secret this long.

With Lucy’s hand in his, he greeted the other women, and then took a seat to get out of their way.

As he settled back and listened to their happy chatter, and occasionally caught his wife’s gaze, he couldn’t help but remember the loneliness he’d felt before Lucy had come into his life. How empty this room, and this big house had felt.

Openly flirtatious, Lucy met his gaze once again. It didn’t feel that way now.

Now, he could honestly say, he had everything he’d ever wanted.

* * *

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