Sleighed by the Farmer’s Daughter (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

Epilogue

8 months later

“Hey, how’s Mama doing?” Seth asked as he wrapped his arms around Mackenzie, feeling their baby kick hello.

“I’m fine, but if you keep stirring up your son, dinner’s going to be late again. I swear he knows where all the soft spots are, and he’s getting stronger by the day.”

Seth chuckled, pulling out a bar stool and helping Mackenzie into it, lifting her legs to rest on a second stool before taking over the dinner preparations. “Have you seen Natalie lately?”

“Yeah, I ran into them up at the waterfall a few days ago. She was crying inconsolably, and Tom was holding her, but I could see he was crying too. I didn’t think it was my place to interfere. They’ve been really kind since we moved in, but we’re not that close yet. I’m worried she may have lost another baby. She hasn’t come around much since we announced my pregnancy. I know she’s really struggling. Do you know something? Is there anything we can do to help?”

Seth sighed, his hands pausing in their work. “Yeah, Tom stopped me on the trail when I was coming back from Eric’s. Natalie did lose another baby, and Tom thinks it’s best for them to leave town for a while. Give her time to heal... away from all the baby bumps around here. Sarah mentioned your experience in photography, and Tom wondered if you’d be willing to step in as PR Director for Whispering Pines while they’re away. He knows you have your own business to run, so he’s just asking if you can oversee the branding and imagery for their website and materials. He’ll handle the director duties remotely, but he needs to take this off Natalie’s plate, and you were the only one with the skills to do it. He doesn’t want to overburden you, especially with the baby coming.”

“Of course, I’ll help,” Mackenzie replied, her voice full of resolve. “I have a team now; we can definitely handle Whispering Pines. Where are they going? When do I need to take over?”

“Um… this week. He’s taking her to Florida to stay with some friends who own a resort down in the keys. She’s going to take over PR for their coral reef conservation foundation for the next year—a reboot of sorts. Change of scenery, change of pace. Losing her mom and several pregnancies back-to-back has just drained her. Tom said she feels like she’s letting everyone down, but each loss tears at her heart more. This last one… he’s really worried.”

Mackenzie’s heart ached for Natalie. “What about Sarah and Eric? Sarah must be worried sick, and losing her brother for a year… I can’t imagine.”

“Yeah, Eric is concerned too. He and Sarah will spend some time in Florida as well. Eric asked if we could watch the kids during their stay—he knows Sarah would want to see her brother but wouldn’t want to hurt Natalie by bringing the little ones right away. He didn’t outright ask, but I think he’s feeling it out. He said Sarah isn’t going to Florida without him, and the kids will have to stay. Beth and Chad would be thrilled to watch the grandkids, but I don’t think Sarah would be comfortable leaving them with her parents for too long. It’s something to mull over. You come first, Mack. If you don’t feel up to it, just say the word, and they’ll find another way. There’s always Zach and Harper or Finn and Becky,” Seth added thoughtfully.

“No! We’re family now. As long as it doesn’t fall the week this little one decides to make his debut, we’ll take care of it. This is what being part of a pack means, Seth. No more handling things alone. We look out for each other. Besides, our son is going to be close to his cousins. Harper and Becky already have twins; we can’t ask them to take on more unless it’s an emergency. Between us, Beth, Chad, Jason, and your dad, Saraphina and Tommy will be just fine. And Natalie will be too—you’ll see. I believe that once she has time to relax and heal, she’ll carry a pregnancy to term. By this time next year, I’m betting she’ll be hauling her own little one around. I’m claiming that for her, and I’ll pray for it every night until it happens.”

Seth’s eyes softened as he looked at his wife, resting his hand on her growing belly, love and gratitude flowing through him. “You have such a tender heart, Mack. You’re going to be an amazing mother. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive and loving my family as much, if not more, than I do.”

Mackenzie smiled, resting her hand over his as their child did somersaults at the attention. “You know, Seth, when I think back to that stormy Christmas Eve when you showed up in my life, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. You’ve slayed every single one of my dragons since I rescued you in my sleigh. No matter what comes our way, I know we’ll face it together. We’ve got this, and we’ve got each other. That’s all we need.”

Seth kissed the top of her head before holding her close to his heart. “You’re right. Whatever happens next, we’ll handle it together. This is just the beginning of our story, and it’s going to be a really good one.”

The End