My Greatest Joy (Maplewood Falls #2)

Chapter Twenty-Five

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

LEVI

SIX MONTHS LATER

Rolling over in bed, I wrap an arm around my wife and spread my palm across her six-month pregnant belly. Pulling us closer together, I bury my face in her neck and press soft pecks under her ear.

“Morning, my love. How’d you sleep?”

“Your son is giving me the worst heartburn I’ve ever had.”

I snicker at her salty tone and rub my hand underneath her shirt and over her bare belly. “That’s not true. You’re perfect and would never.”

Fallon snorts loudly. “And if that isn’t bad enough, he was trying out for the Olympics on my bladder all night.”

“That just means he’s a healthy, active baby.”

“Mm-hmm,” she appeases me.

“You stay and rest. I’ll get breakfast started.” I kiss her bare shoulder before crawling out of bed.

Dasher’s at my feet as soon as they touch the floor.

“C’mon, boy. Let’s go outside.” I pet his head. He wags his tail with a big ole smile and races me downstairs.

Ever since finding out we were expecting—or hell, even before we knew—he’s been super clingy and follows Fallon everywhere. It was only a few weeks after she returned that she surprised me with a positive pregnancy test. I was over the moon ecstatic and couldn’t wait to start a family together and put a ring on her finger.

I proposed six weeks later.

Quick? Yeah . But why wait when I already knew she’s the one?

We didn’t want to prolong our engagement, so last weekend, we had a cute little summer ceremony and reception at the farm with close friends and family. It was the first time her dad, stepmom, and sister visited, although I met them in April when we flew to Seattle for Easter. It was great showing them around the farm and town. They seemed to enjoy themselves.

After spending five days honeymooning on the beach, we returned home to start our life as newlyweds and start on the nursery. Baby boy is due late October, one week before Finn and Oakley’s wedding.

So that should be interesting.

Once Dasher does his business, I pad to the kitchen and whip up omelets and toast. Then I make her black decaf coffee and bring it to her in bed.

“Hope you’re hungry, sweetheart.” I set the tray on the nightstand and dip down to brush my lips against hers. “Also, I have a surprise for you after, so eat up.”

That has her eyes popping open. “ Surprise ? What is it?”

I chuckle. “You gotta eat first, my love.”

She pushes herself up, groaning as she tries, and I help pull her the rest of the way.

“This baby is gonna come out the size of a toddler.”

“Well, he’s a fifth-generation White lumberjack. What’d you expect letting me put a baby inside you?”

“I was too high on sugar cookies to know better.”

Climbing in bed next to her, I cup her chin and bring her mouth to mine for a chaste kiss. “And drunk on eggnog.”

We eat together while Dasher lies on the floor next to me. I smile at him giving me his best puppy dog eyes, begging for a scrap of food.

“So am I allowed to guess the surprise?” Fallon asks once we finish.

Smirking, I shrug. She can try, but she won’t even get close. “Sure.”

“It’s your famous gingersnap cookies recipe,” she guesses. “Right? You said I had to be a White or marry one…” Holding up her left hand, she shows off her wedding ring.

Her devious smirk has me smiling wide.

“Not sure I should.”

“What?” Her jaw drops. “Why not?”

“You’ll just give it to Finn.”

She bursts out laughing, holding her stomach as she does. “He did say he’d pay top dollar for it.”

“Exactly, and I don’t trust him not to bribe you for it.”

“What if I promise to take it to the grave?”

She sticks out her bottom lip and it’s too cute to deny.

“You don’t play fair.”

She grins. “So you’ll teach me?”

“Of course, baby. Whatever you want.” I grab her hand and kiss her knuckles. “But that’s not the surprise. We gotta get dressed and go into town.”

I grab the tray and take it downstairs while she gets ready. Dasher trails behind, waiting impatiently for his breakfast.

“Alright, buddy. Your turn. Enjoy it while you can. Might be a bit chaotic when we return,” I tell him. He has no idea what’s about to hit him.

Fallon and I discussed getting another dog before the baby comes so we had time to get it accommodated to us and Dasher, but every place had a wait list for several months out. With the baby coming in only three, that doesn’t leave us much time.

After cleaning up the kitchen, I meet Fallon in our room and get dressed while she finishes her hair.

“Can I get a hint?” she asks, putting on her shoes.

“Nope.”

“Is it for both of us or just me?”

“Stop trying to guess.”

“Is it a late wedding gift?”

“Fallon,” I warn, tying up my boots.

“C’mon, I hate surprises.”

Closing the gap between us, I press my lips to her forehead. “You’ll find out very soon.”

She narrows her eyes, contemplating my words. “Is it for the baby?”

“Fallon Joy-White. Have patience.”

She wrinkles her nose. “I don’t have any.”

I snicker at the truth of that. “Trust me, I know.”

Taking her hand in mine, I lead her to the truck and then drive us into Maplewood Falls.

She continues guessing, but I shoot each one down.

“I’m convinced you’re lying now.”

“Nope.”

Once I find a parking spot off Main Street, I get out and meet Fallon on the passenger side so I can help her out.

“Where are we going?”

“Goddamn, you suck at waiting,” I mock, threading my fingers through hers, and walk toward our destination.

Less than five minutes later, I open the back door of the shelter, and it finally hits her when the sound of puppies barking surrounds us.

“Wait, where are we?” She glances around, not recognizing the back end of the shelter. Miss Betty let me sneak in this way so Fallon wouldn’t realize where we were headed right away.

“Picking up our new dog.” I grin, squeezing her hand.

Her mouth falls open, glancing around. “Really? We’re getting one?”

I inch closer, cupping her face. “Yep, I found us the perfect Golden Retriever. They were rescued a couple weeks ago. Some asshole left them in a box in a parking lot. Miss Betty knew I was looking for one, so I asked her to save us one. They needed to stay a little while for an antibiotics treatment and to get up to date on their vaccines, but she’s ready to go to her new home.”

“It’s a girl?” Fallon’s eyes water.

“Yep. You ready to meet her?”

She nods profusely.

Miss Betty greets us and then leads us to where two of the puppies are left. “She’s the sweetest one of the litter and has melted all of our hearts already.”

“Oh my God…she’s so cute.” Fallon’s full-on crying before Miss Betty even opens the gate. “This isn’t fair. The hormones make me extra emotional as it is.”

As soon as we step inside, the puppies swarm us.

“She’s on the left,” Miss Betty points out.

Fallon kneels and picks her up. “Oh my goodness, she’s perfect.”

She nuzzles her into her chest and lets her lick her face until Fallon’s giggling.

“What about the other?” I ask. “Did you find him a home?”

“Sure did.”

The back door opens, and heavy boots and heels grab our attention.

Finn and Oakley.

“Hey, guys,” I say, standing. “You’re getting the other puppy?”

Finn nods toward Oakley. “She wouldn’t stop begging me for one.”

Oakley playfully swats him. “Liar. You wanted one, too.”

“I wanted a dog. One who’s already house trained.”

“He will be… eventually .” Oakley shrugs, kneeling next to Fallon and grabbing the boy puppy.

“I don’t feel so bad separating them now,” Fallon says, fully sitting on the floor and snuggling the girl puppy.

“We can have puppy playdates!” Oakley declares. “How do you think Dasher’s gonna handle it?”

I scratch my cheek. “We’ll see very soon.”

“I think he’ll be fine,” Fallon chimes in. “It’ll be good for him to get accustomed to sharing the attention, especially when the baby comes.”

“We were gonna wait until after the wedding, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity when Miss Betty said there was one left,” Oakley explains. “Didn’t want the little guy to be homeless.”

Laughing, I watch as the girls play with the puppies for a few more minutes before Miss Betty leads us to the receptionist desk to pay and sign paperwork.

“When you have their names picked out, call me and let me know so I can put it on their record. The vet will wanna see you in a month,” she says. “I’ll transfer all their information so the doctor has it.”

“Sounds good. Thanks again,” I tell her.

“You guys should come over this weekend so they can play and yours can meet Dasher,” Fallon tells Oakley when we walk outside, then looks at Finn with a mischievous grin. “I’m finally getting the gingersnap cookie recipe, so I’ll make you an early fresh batch.”

Finn gasps dramatically, pointing at me. “I’ve known you my whole life and she gets it after less than a year?”

“I married him!” Fallon exclaims and then directs a finger to her belly. “And I’m having his child.”

“You know the rules.” I lift a shoulder, keeping the puppy clung tightly to my chest.

Finn shakes his head. “Betrayal.”

“If it makes you feel better, once I master it, I’ll make them for you whenever you want.” Fallon grins.

“Fine, deal.”

Oakley giggles, bringing her puppy up to her face. “Text me the time and we’ll be there.”

“You got it.” Fallon smiles. “See ya soon.”

Once we get to the truck, I grab the dog with one hand and help Fallon into the passenger seat with the other.

“You good?” I ask once she’s buckled in, then place the puppy in her lap.

“What should we name her?” she asks once I pull onto the main road.

“Whatever you want.”

“It should be Christmas-y to match Dasher’s name.”

“Yeah?” I arch a brow. “Okay, well, that should be easy enough.”

Before we head to the cabin, I stop at the pet store for puppy food, some new toys, a crate, and a collar.

“You ready to meet your brother, sweet girl?” Fallon walks up the porch stairs, holding on to her tightly while I carry everything else.

The moment we walk in, Dasher is on us like glue.

“It’s okay, buddy. Be gentle.”

Fallon kneels so they can sniff each other. After a few minutes, she sets her down and we watch them carefully.

“Good boy, Dasher.” I praise and pet him so he doesn’t feel left out or that we’re replacing him.

The next several hours are getting them acquainted, setting up her crate and food station, and letting them play together outside.

“I hope she doesn’t run off,” Fallon says, watching as they chase each other.

“I think she’ll follow Dasher and will eventually learn the boundaries.”

“What do you think about Noelle?” Fallon asks, facing me.

My lips split into a wide grin. “I love it.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulders when she curls into my side. “Thank you for her.”

“You don’t have to thank me, love. I’ll do anything that makes you happy.”

She tilts up her head until our gazes meet. “I know, and that’s why I love you so much.”

I kiss the tip of her nose. “I love you, too. So much.”

She burrows herself in more. “Our son is so lucky to grow up like this—lots of land, two dogs, a tight-knit community. I couldn’t think of a better way to raise him.”

“Couldn’t agree more.” I tighten my hold on her. “Maplewood Falls is a special place.”