Talk about a late comer... Someone arrived when mass was nearly over. Without looking up, Lauren scooted over in the pew to make room for the new arrival. It was definitely a snug fit. She was about to take exception to the brazen arm going around her shoulders, then she caught a whiff of familiar men’s cologne. Joshua?... Her eyes slid upward to find a warm smile and twinkling blue eyes. Joshua!
“What are you doing here?” Lauren demanded of the man once the mass had ended.
Olivia’s squeal of delight drew many eyes as the girl launched herself at JC, letting him catch her up in his arms with a laugh. “You came back! Are you staying?”
“I guess that depends on you guys and your mom.” JC answered Olivia but his eyes were for Lauren. Did she want him to stay? His life was crazy. Adjustments, major adjustments would have to be made by all parties. He couldn’t see uprooting the kids. There was a sanity to be found in their Blackwood Inn existence. His career could be mobile. It all depended on Lauren’s willingness to accept him — warts and all.
“You said Christmas was for family.” Lauren couldn’t take her eyes off of him.
Despite the ebb and flow of people eager to return home, JC set Olivia to her feet. He wrapped a hand around the back of Lauren’s neck to urge her into a brief kiss. “I found my family here at Blackwood Inn.”