Lib Novel Page 72
Cora gazed at Ginny, the woman who meant so much to her, and suddenly feared that this development might hurt her heart.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Ginny said, smiling at them as tears filled her eyes. “You said yes. Good girl. I’m so happy for all of you.”
Cora breathed a sigh of relief as Ginny ran over to join the family embrace. It appeared that even Ginny had been consulted in advance.
Everything really was going to be okay.
“Everything is going to be so awesome now,” Sylvester yelled out, echoing her thoughts.
27
CORA
One Hundred and Seven Days After Christmas…
Cora sat beside Jared in the April sunshine, grateful for the big cowboy’s presence during this tense yet joyful moment.
Ever since he’d put that pretty engagement ring on her finger, the life she had shared with Sylvester for so long began to open up in so many ways.
It started with little things, like watching the two of them head into the woods for a nice hike, with an inhaler for Sylvester tucked into his pocket and a back-up in Jared’s, of course.
They had started having Sunday dinners at Timber Run with the rest of the Webb crew. Sometimes, they came by early and Sylvester played outside with the other kids, while Jared and Cora helped his parents prepare the big meal. Other times, she sat on the porch with her brother-in-law, Derek, with whom she had formed a friendly bond, and listened to him talk about the farm, and once in a while about the woman who had stolen his heart long ago. Jared still told her how amazed and grateful he was to see his brother opening up to someone, though Cora thought he was probably just exaggerating to make her feel good.
Her life felt bigger now, and easier, in spite of the added obligations that came from being part of a great big extended family.
And Cora trusting Jared with Sylvester had brought all three of them so much joy. At times, she still felt nervous watching the two of them horsing around, or taking off on wild adventures.
But Jared would never, ever let anything happen to their boy, she believed that with all her heart.
Today her belief would be tested.
She looked out over the baseball field, wondering how in the world she was going to watch Sylvester run through all that dust.
“He’s got this,” Jared murmured, wrapping his big hand around hers.
She looked down at their entwined hands and the big band of gold he wore that matched the slender one he’d slid onto her finger at the simple ceremony that made them man and wife.
They were a team now. He had reminded her of that the night he and Sylvester asked her blessing for Sylvester to join the local children’s baseball league. It was high time for Sylvester to be on a team too.
All around them, other families were cheering for their kids, eating snacks, and chatting about the warm weather and the beautiful tulips that were finally popping out in front of the library in the village.
Only Cora was watching the field in a cold sweat.
“There’s no sustained running,” Jared reminded her. “And Kellan is here today.”
They both glanced at the seats below theirs, where Kellan and Daisy sat with baby Hope, who was almost one and a half now. She wore a cute little sun hat and chattered to her mama here and there.
Benny and his best friend Mara were playing in this game too, but Kellan normally saw patients on Saturdays. Cora had a feeling he had taken the day off to be here today just to set her mind at ease.
The last child before Sylvester stepped up to bat. The little girl grinned and waved to her family, then turned and hit the ball on her first try. She made it neatly to first base, leaving the bases loaded with her son up to bat next.
Sylvester approached home plate, clutching his bat in a way that made Cora know he was feeling a little nervous himself.
“You’ve got this,” Jared called to him. “Go Team Webb.”
Go Team Webb was echoed in the dugout by all of Sylvester’s new cousins, and it put a smile on his little face when he turned to wave to Jared and Cora.
Cora squeezed Jared’s hand when the pitcher threw the first ball to Sylvester. The pitch was perfect, but Sylvester swung a little too late.