Begin Again - Jennifer Probst Page 0,44
gave him a smile, and he realized she sensed his thoughts and distress. She’d always been completely in tune with his emotions, a woman who truly understood him from the inside out. He gave a small nod in thanks, took a breath, and stood.
“I’ll get him settled in the barn while we eat,” he said.
“The birthday girl is going to freak if she sees him,” Ethan said, glancing toward the porch where Mia was playing with Evie. “Better keep him hidden or it will be like playing with Hei-Hei all over again.”
“Oh, stop, she’s an angel with the animals,” Harper said. “She’s just fascinated with the chicken’s head feathers.”
“Personally, I’m glad Hei-Hei found his match,” Owen announced. “Let him be the one running away and terrified.”
Aidan arched a brow. “Still have issues with him, Owen? One day, you two will need to form a truce.”
“Only truce we’ll ever have is when he’s on the table for dinner.”
“Owen!” Chloe gasped. “That’s terrible.”
“Just kidding, babe. Meet you inside.”
Laughter scattered behind him. He realized he’d used the familiar endearment without thought, but somehow, it felt right. Today, they’d made progress. The farm was definitely helping strip back the layers so they could re-discover each other all over again.
He set the puppy up in a small crate, next to the horses in the barn for company. The black furball settled right in to sleep, exhausted by the stressful day. He gave Flower and Bambi a stroke on the nose and fed them a carrot. “Keep watch on him, okay? I’ll be back.”
When he got back to the inn, everyone had gathered in the dining room for the party. The guest of honor wore a red sparkly party dress, red Dorothy-like shoes, and a birthday crown. Her highchair was decorated with balloons and wavy sparkly flags that fascinated Evie. She waved her chubby fingers, watching them float and fly in delight.
The table was filled with all the comfort foods he loved. Salted, maple cured ham sat amidst cut apples and bacon, and endless side dishes of mashed potatoes, biscuits, vegetable quiches, and creamed spinach. He ate heartily, relaxing into the familiar banter of the family, a twist of compliments amidst good-natured teasing and insults between the men. Kyle’s father, Patrick, was at the other head of the table, grunting now and then, but basically concentrating on his full plate. Jonathan held his own, even when Ethan pushed at his politics, and Mia hotly defended her PR client against her husband, to everyone’s amusement.
He watched Chloe shine amidst the people she loved, her face open and happy, her laughter loud and quick. Longing washed over him with a mind-blowing intensity. God, he wanted this with her. To be her lover and husband, part of this amazing clan who gathered for celebrations and held each other up during the hard times. He finally wanted forever, and he had to believe it wasn’t too late.
They all helped clear the table and clean up. Mia brought in the cake decorated in bright unicorn colors, topped with one candle. She snapped endless pictures of Evie’s wonder at the colorful creation before her. They sang Happy Birthday, and the toddler dove in hard to her first piece of cake, smushing it over her mouth and fingers while she screamed with happiness.
“I brought champagne,” Chloe said, corking open the bottle and grabbing glasses and pouring generously.
“None for me,” Ophelia said with a smile.
Kyle blinked. “You love champagne. Come on, sweetheart, there’s no guests to worry about tomorrow. We cleared this weekend months ago.”
“None for me either,” Mia said.
Chloe gave a sigh. “Really, guys? I thought we’d get a bit giddy tonight. Stay up late watching Disney movies, right?”
Jonathan groaned. “Who needs a Disney movie? Every time I step on the farm I feel like I’m dragged into one.”
Mia laughed. “It’s okay, Jonathan. I always loved your grumpy side. It’s why we work so well together.”
“Come on, Dad. If you watched more movies, you could help us name the new pup. You need more information.”
Alyssa grinned and touched her husband’s shoulder. “I think your father is better suited to political thrillers.”
“Definitely. The only movie that sticks out is Cinderella—something about the glass slipper and Fairy Godmother, I guess. Oh, and that fat mouse with the T-shirt!”
“Gus-Gus?” Chloe asked.
Jonathan shrugged. “I guess, I don’t know the name. I liked him. He was funny, loyal, and kind of a misfit.”
Immediately, Owen met Chloe’s gaze.
“Gus-Gus,” they said together, as if lightning had just struck them both.
“Dad,