Then the whole room exploded with people everywhere. Vicky and Andy quickly took charge of Rosie and Hank, which was what they’d nicknamed the babies who had arrived the week after Thanksgiving. Jancy and Shane posed for pictures behind the cake, feeding each other the first bite and toasting with glasses of lemonade. Then there was a picture taken of them holding hands and kissing over the punch bowl. Jancy loved every minute of the whole amazing wedding day—a dream that had come true.
Six months.
In one way, it seemed like she’d never left Pick, yet she was glad for those years, because if she hadn’t had the bad times, then that day wouldn’t be nearly as precious.
She’d opened the last letter her mother had left her that morning. On the outside it said it was to be read on her wedding day. Knowing her mother was there in spirit had brought tears to her eyes and joy to her heart. Then that evening in the dressing room, Vicky brought out the family pearls for her to wear, and she’d shed more tears. For the happiest day in her life, she’d sure had to use a lot of tissues.
“When are you going to give us some more of these wonderful presents, Jancy? You could follow in Emily’s footsteps and start off with a set of twins. These kids are going to need cousins to play with.” Vicky looked down at Hank. “I’d like a houseful of grandchildren by the time I’m fifty.”
“Me, too.” Andy winked. “I don’t mind bypassing the father business and going straight to grandpa status.”
“It fits both of you very well, but you’ll have to wait at least nine months for cousins for Rosie and Hank.” Jancy smiled. “When are you two going to make some kind of announcement about your wedding?”
“As soon as Vicky will let me, I’ll get out the bullhorn and tell the whole world,” Andy said. “But today is about you and Shane.”
Shane tugged on her hand. “Everyone is waiting on the bride and groom to start the food line, darlin’. Are you hungry?”
“Starvin’,” Jancy said.
Nettie looked up from behind the table. “There are two tarts on your table. One for each of you. Rules is rules.”
“Thank you, Nettie.” Shane grinned. “I been too nervous to eat today, but I’m about to m-make up for it now.”
“We have a little midnight snack already made up for you to take with you. Don’t leave without it.” Nettie pointed toward a big basket with all kinds of food in it.
“Thank you. That is so sweet.” Jancy leaned over the table and hugged Nettie.
“Don’t get the sleeves of that gorgeous dress in the salsa. The red would never come out of velvet,” Nettie scolded.
Oh, yes, Jancy was definitely part of the community and the family, and most importantly, she was Shane’s wife, whether she was wearing white velvet and Chantilly lace or her jeans and T-shirts.
“You only have to stay an hour,” Emily whispered when she took her place at the head table beside Jancy. “Ryder and I will take all the presents to your house and you can open them after the honeymoon.”
“I don’t want to miss one single minute of any of this,” Jancy said. “And I’ll let you in on a secret if you promise not to tell.”
“You know I won’t.” Emily’s eyes glittered.
“I didn’t want a honeymoon. I just want to be married to Shane, so we’re going to leave in that vintage car that he got all fixed up, drive out of town so everyone thinks we’ve gone to Galveston, and sneak right back to our house. We’ll be opening presents in our home tomorrow, not next week.”
“Smart woman,” Emily said. “I loved the cruise, but I couldn’t wait to get home to our trailer.”
Ryder tapped his fork against a glass and held it up. “A toast. Shane has been like a brother to me since we were just kids. So I guess that makes Jancy my sister. Here’s to family that isn’t really blood kin but that are related by the heart.”
“Hear, hear!” Shane touched his glass to Jancy’s. “And here’s to a lifetime of love and life together, M-Mrs. Adams.”
Jancy leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “I will never get tired of that title.”