My Greatest Joy (Maplewood Falls #2)

FALLON TEN YEARS LATER

“Ivy Belle White! Stop throwing snowballs in the face!” I scold from the deck, watching my seven-year-old daughter giggle and run around with her older brother and the Bennett twins.

Three large Golden Retrievers barking and chasing all four kids around after a blizzard left us without power for three days. They all have energy to burn.

It’s a sight to see.

“They’re just having fun, my love.” Levi walks over, handing me a cup of black coffee.

“Have you ever been smacked in the face by one of her snowballs? She has a good arm and fantastic aim.”

He chuckles, bringing his mug up to his lips. “Who do you think taught her?”

Scowling, I shake my head but can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of me. “It’s gonna take hours to plow us out of here.”

When news of the blizzard was approaching, we invited Finn and Oakley to join us so we could hunker down together. After years of going through the winter months up on this mountain, we’re much more prepared now. Levi makes sure we always have chopped wood stocked with extra blankets and food in the pantry. The kids made a fort in the living room and the adults slept in the bedrooms. The dogs kept them company and the fireplace kept them warm through the night.

“You ready?” Finn asks behind us.

Turning around, he’s bundled in Carhartt overalls, winter boots, gloves, and a hat. He’s helping Levi clear the driveway so they can get to the orchard and farm to plow them out next. After that, they’ll head to Jessa’s, Silas’s, and then go into Maplewood Falls to help anyone else who needs it. They usually give the downtown businesses a hand with shoveling so they can reopen quicker.

“Give me a few.” Levi drains the rest of his coffee and then presses his lips to mine. “Love you. Don’t wait up.”

“Please be careful.”

“Always.” He winks.

“I packed lunches and a thermos of coffee for ya boys,” Oakley calls from the kitchen.

“Dad, wait!” Nicholas shouts, racing up the deck stairs. “Can I go?”

“Honey, they’re gonna be gone for at least twelve hours,” I tell him, squeezing his shoulder. I can’t believe he’s ten already. My sweet, sensitive boy loves doing everything his father does.

“I can shovel with Uncle Finn while Dad plows. Or I can spread out the salt. Please?” His puppy dog eyes get me every damn time.

Glancing at Levi, he grins and gives me a subtle nod.

Sighing, my tense shoulders drop. “Fine…but you do exactly what your dad and Finn tell you, got it?”

“Yes!” he cheers. “I will, Mom.”

“Go get your stuff on, buddy.” Levi high-fives him.

“I’m going to be an anxious wreck all day now.” I pout.

“Sweetheart, we’ll be fine. This is nothing new.” Levi cups my face, smiling as he dips down and kisses me once again. “He’s ready to take on more responsibility and we should let him.”

“I know.”

“I made extra sandwiches, so they’ll be okay,” Oakley tells me. “We’ll watch movies and drink hard cider.”

Laughing, I wrap my arm around her and squeeze. “Alright, you talked me into it.”

Ivy and the Bennett twins walk in, followed by three very wet dogs.

“Take off your snow pants and boots at the door,” I remind Ivy and the twins. “I’ll grab the towels.”

Levi heads upstairs to change while I dry off the dogs. Dasher’s over twelve years old, but he keeps up with Noelle like he’s a pup.

Between the kids’ school and sports schedules, keeping up with the dogs, and helping manage the Christmas tree farm with Levi’s family, our lives have never been busier.

But I’ve also never been happier.