Anna couldn’t help but smile as she helped her mother out of the car and into the cabin. She was moving in with them, and the fact she’d have her mom close, that she’d be able to take care of her, talk with her, just make new memories, pleased Anna like nothing else could.

Once her mother was situated in the guest bedroom, resting, Anna moved downstairs and sat on the couch beside Landon. He pulled her in for an embrace and she felt like crying. Over the last few months that she’d been with Landon all she could feel was love, acceptance, and joy. He’d told her he wanted her to go back to school, that he wanted her mother to live with them so Jack could pursue his dreams. He wanted to be there every step of the way so Anna could have a good life, where her mother was happy and looked after.

“You think she’ll be happy here?” Landon asked.

“She’ll be so happy. There’s so much room, so much openness and fresh air. She’ll love it and I know it’ll be good for her to get away from the city and where she was at.” Anna looked at Landon. “And I know Jack needs this too. He needs to be able to follow his dream. For too long he was the primary caregiver.”

“You helped just as much, just as hard.”

Yes, she had, but not in the way Jack had. He’d been with their mom day in and day out while Anna earned the majority of the money to care for her. But now she’d be the one to take care of their mom while he studied and didn’t have to be so stressed.

“I should get the rest of her things out of the back. I know the moving van is scheduled to show up later today with her larger items, but I want her to be as comfortable as possible in the meantime.”

“I really love having her here. It feels complete.” She rose up. “Thank you.”

“You never have to thank me. I love you, love your family, and I’d do anything to make you happy and ensure you all are taken care of.”

Anna pulled back and smiled at Landon. “You know how incredible you are?” She was on the verge of crying because she was so happy.

“I’m a better man because of you. It’s all because of you, baby.”

* * *

Anna sat on the porch, her hand on her rounded belly, her focus on Landon. He was putting the finishing touches on the wooden archway that would go in the garden entrance. It was something she’d wanted for awhile, and he’d surprised her one day by starting on it.

She felt their baby kick and smiled, looking down at her belly, excitement and anticipation coursing through her.

Over these last few years she’d really made this home hers. With the large garden out in the back, she tended to it, seeing the fruits of her labor and feeling proud as hell about it. She’d gotten her degree in accounting, was even helping Landon with his business, doing the paperwork and numbers.

And every day she fell more in love with him. Not only did he protect her, show her unconditional love, and take care of her, but he also helped take care of her mother, as well.

And while her mother had stayed in the cabin in the guest room, he’d built a small guesthouse right off of the main one, just for her. It gave her mom privacy while still having her close to them if she needed help. And it was the perfect location for the morning sun to hit just right, which was something her mother loved.

The fresh air, wilderness, and even the peace and tranquility had really helped her mother. She knew that nothing was set in stone, that the cancer could come back, so she cherished every day. And being able to experience the pregnancy with her mom right beside her, giving her advice, talking about when she was pregnant with Anna, were memories she’d always cherish.

As if her mother knew she’d been thinking about her, she pushed open the front door and brought out two big glasses of lemonade. She handed one to Anna, leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, and made her way over to where Landon was. He took the lemonade she offered with a big grin, downed half of it, and for several minutes they stood there and talked.

He started pointing out things off to the side, and it was clear her mother listened intently. Both of them cared about each other, that was clear as day. They were one big family, and when her brother came to visit, everything came in full circle.

She didn’t know what the future held, but she wasn’t living her life worrying about what might happen. She had the love of her family, of her husband, a child on the way, and nothing else mattered.

And to think, all of her happiness, all of this perfection started because she’d been a mail order bride.