Heart of Hope Read online

  “Okay, that’s enough.” Clay pulled both girls onto his lap as he sat back down, glad that Jenna and Josh had liked the gift and thrilled at the unexpected opportunity to feel a baby kick.

  The day ended on a high note when Jake announced he had already gotten his fill of working in the city and would start a new job in February at the county extension office in Tenacity as a soil and water agent.

  “I have to be able to keep my eye on all of you and I can do that better closer to home,” Jake offered a lighthearted explanation.

  Josh thought Jake’s decision probably had a lot more to do with the fact that he had too much country boy in his blood to be happy stuck in an office all day. It could also have something to do with the girl he’d been trying to avoid.

  They’d all noticed Jake’s cell phone rang several times throughout the day. When Jake checked the caller ID, a look of annoyance crossed his face before he shoved his phone back in his pocket.

  After dinner, Josh watched as Jake turned off his phone with an irritated grimace. He hoped the young man wasn’t in trouble of any kind, but trusted he would come to him or Clay if there were anything they could do to help.

  “I for one will be glad to have you around. If you ever need something to do on the weekends, I can always find some extra work,” Josh said, playfully punching Jake on the arm. “If you need somewhere to live, you know the Harold house is available.”

  “I’ve lined up a place to stay, Josh, but thanks,” Jake said, sincerely grateful for the offer. “Some of my buddies from high school share a house and they have a room opening up right after the holidays. Living in the city and going to college is a whole lot different than living there and working in an office every single day. When you said you didn’t miss the city at all, I finally understood what you meant. I got my fill and then some.”

  “Is everything okay? No problems?”

  “Nah, nothing like that.” Jake shook his head then released a weary sigh. “There’s this one girl who won’t leave me alone. I figure moving here will help fix that problem. She has no idea where I’m from and when I’m no longer in the city, she’ll have to give up, eventually. I hope. She can’t seem to get it through her head that I’m not interested in a relationship of any type with her. Why can’t some girls understand that just because you go out once doesn’t mean you want to marry her?”

  Josh laughed as he remembered a few of the girls he’d dated. “Did I ever tell you about the girl that stalked me? I finally had to get a restraining order against her and that was after only two dates.”

  “Seriously?” Jake looked at Josh in surprise.

  “Seriously.” Josh nodded in confirmation as he and Jake cleaned up the gift-wrapping debris. He took a moment to study his young friend. “Jake, thanks again for the jeans and the hats for the twins. As soon as the boys are big enough to wear them, we’ll have to take a picture of them with you.”

  “Cool. I had to get something to start them on the road to farming, you know. Besides, if you’re going to give them names like Willard and Ashley, they’re going to need all the help they can get.”

  “They are so not going to have lame names. I can promise you that.” Josh grinned, throwing a ball of wadded up wrapping paper at Jake. “I’m still trying to talk Jenna into Espn and Fox. Now those are names you don’t forget easily.”

  Jake laughed and tossed the wrapping paper ball back at him. “Good luck with that.”

  Jenna gave Callan a hand with the leftovers in the kitchen while the men picked up the mess in the family room. “I can’t believe all the wonderful gifts we received today. That table set Clay made is amazing. I had no idea he could carve like that.”

  “It was definitely a challenge for him, but he loved doing it. You know these babies are going to be extra special to us all, don’t you?”

  “I do. I’m truly thankful they’re going to have so many loving family members around to help them grow up.”

  “Not all kids are as lucky as ours,” Callan said, watching Emma and Audrey give their Grammy and Gramps one last hug before they left. “By the way, thank you for letting Clay and the girls feel the babies kick. Clay hasn’t ever had the opportunity before and I think he was pretty awed by it.”

  “No problem.” Jenna was glad she could do something to bring a little joy to Clay. He’d always been so kind to her and done so much for them through the years. “Although I’m a pretty private person, it seems like when your belly precedes you into a room, total strangers feel the need to touch it and comment. I guess I’m getting kind of used to it.” Jenna shook her head in disbelief. “Now there’s something I never thought I’d say.”

  Both of them laughed then went to the living room to tell those departing goodbye. Josh and Jenna were the last to leave. Since they drove Jenna’s car, Clay volunteered to deliver the table set sometime during the coming week.

  Chapter Seventeen

  New Year’s Day arrived with Clay, Callan, and the girls at Josh and Jenna’s. Callan wanted to finish the nursery before the baby shower the following Saturday. She enlisted Josh and Clay’s help in getting everything set up.

  The two men grunted as they carried the heavy child’s table up the stairs and into the room, placing it in front of a sunny window. After adjusting the placement of the chairs, Callan stood back and smiled. Everything looked perfect.

  They refused to let Jenna see the room until it was completely finished. Callan fussed with every little detail until Clay assured her there wasn’t anything left to adjust. Josh ran downstairs to let Jenna and the girls know it was time to check out the room before Callan changed her mind.

  “You’re going to be so surprised, Auntie Jenna. Just wait ‘til you see the…” Emma’s voice suddenly cut off as they walked up the stairs.

  Callan pictured Audrey’s hand clapped over her sister’s mouth and smiled at Clay.

  “Audrey! I told you I don’t like that,” Emma spluttered as they approached the landing at the top of the stairs. “I’ll be quiet now.”

  “You don’t know how to be quiet,” Audrey stated, running up the last few steps right into her dad.

  Startled by his presence, Audrey looked as if she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “Hi, Daddy.”

  “Audrey, we talked about putting your hand over Emma’s mouth. You know she hates it,” Clay said firmly, staring down at Audrey while fighting the urge to smile. Their little Sweet Pea had a terrible time keeping her lips closed let alone sealed. However, her blabbermouth tendencies didn’t mean Audrey could continue slapping a hand over her mouth every time Emma said something she shouldn’t.

  “I know, Daddy, but she was about to spill the beans, again.” Audrey studied her feet, swirling a pattern into the carpet with her big toe. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to remember not to do it again.”

  Clay hugged his daughter and gave her an encouraging smile. “That’s my girl. Thank you.” He picked up Emma and took Audrey’s hand in his then followed Jenna into the nursery.

  “Isn’t it great, Auntie Jenna?” Emma exclaimed, waving both arms in the air. “The babies will love it here.”

  “I think you’re right, Sweet Pea,” Jenna said quietly, taking in the wonder of the room. It looked better than anything she’d dared to imagine.

  Tan walls surrounded the room with navy and deep cranberry-red stars dancing along a border near the ceiling. Tan valances with navy and red stripes hung at the three windows, providing a colorful accent without blocking any of the glorious light that streamed in during the afternoons.

  Jenna’s overstuffed navy rocker from Josh sat in one corner by the windows with the table and chairs centered beneath the middle window. A small oak bookshelf sat beneath the third window, holding storybooks and a few farm-themed toys. A toy chest, painted navy blue with a tan and red stripe sat in the next corner. The stuffed horse and cow Josh had purchased last fall peeked out of the open lid.

  Two oak cribs with navy and tan bedding sat
against one wall near the rocker. Dangling above each crib was a farm animal mobile. One the wall between the two cribs was a saying, applied in navy vinyl lettering with red stars accenting the words:

  Little boys with grubby hands,

  Sticky kisses, and pockets full of surprises,

  Are God’s way of reminding us

  Miracles come in all shapes and sizes.

  Across the room on the opposite wall sat a tall oak chest of drawers and a sturdy changing table. Two oak shelves above the changing table provided additional space for necessities. Several wooden pegs decorated the wall by the door in a seesaw pattern and the two little John Deere ball caps hung there. The cute bouncing chairs Josh had purchased rested beneath the pegs, waiting to be put into use. A large closet offered plenty of space for additional supplies, clothes, and linens.

  “Callan, I don’t know what to say.” Jenna hugged her sister-in-law and dear friend. She released a contented sigh, wiping at the tears sprinkling her cheeks. “This is beyond wonderful.”

  “I’m so glad you like it.” Callan swiped away her tears and settled an arm around Jenna’s shoulders as they walked around the room.

  “If you like it, why are you crying?” Emma asked, confused as she looked at both women.

  “Sometimes when women cry, it means they really like something,” Clay said, giving Emma a reassuring hug. “I think your Aunt Jenna especially likes the nursery.”

  “Should I cry, too?” Emma asked, prepared to work up a pout.

  Josh and Clay laughed. “That won’t be necessary, Sweet Pea. Let’s go downstairs and get washed up for lunch.” Clay suggested as he took the girls and left the room.

  “Callan, this is amazing. Now, we’ll just have to be patient until we can put the room to use.” Josh hugged his sister and kissed the top of her head.

  “Those two boys of yours will be here before you know it. You’ve only got two months left and it will fly by,” Callan said, adjusting a picture of farm animals that hung by the door.

  “I love the saying on the wall, Callan. It is absolutely fantastic,” Jenna said as she walked over to the cribs and stared at the words. “Everything is perfect and I can’t thank you enough.”

  “You already have.” Callan stood in the doorway, watching the way Jenna reverently ran her hand along the smooth wood of one crib. “With the room complete, we can focus on your baby shower next weekend.”

  The two women agreed it would be easier on them both to hold the baby shower at Jenna’s. Callan arrived early that morning and got to work with preparations. Jenna found it hard to wait until the guests arrived, excited to show off the nursery to those attending.

  For a cold, January day, they couldn’t have asked for better weather with clear roads and the sun shining brightly overhead.

  Although Jenna’s mom and sisters were unable to make the drive for the shower, Jenna carried her laptop into the living room and Skyped them so they could still “attend” the event.

  Callan enlisted Bobbi’s help to get the food ready and games set out before the guests arrived. Josh helped Jenna clean house the previous evening and everything looked welcoming and nice, especially with the decorations and flowers Callan added.

  Although Emma and Audrey begged to attend, Callan knew the girls would be bored long before the shower ended. Instead, Clay took them out for lunch and to a movie. They were thrilled to get some special daddy time.

  Josh disappeared when the first carload of women arrived and promised to stay away until all the cars were gone. Jenna assumed he would wander over to the heated shop and hang out for the afternoon.

  By the time the last of the guests departed three hours later, Jenna felt exhausted but happy beyond words. The gifts included oodles of diapers and baby clothes, bottles and pacifiers, baby washcloths and towels, cute farm animal toys, and several blankets.

  Bobbi and her sister, Maggie, Jake’s mom, went together and purchased a twin-sized cradle for the babies to use the first month or so after their arrival. Jenna nearly wept when she saw it. It was so lovely and such a wonderful gift. She kissed both their cheeks and thanked Bobbi and Maggie repeatedly.

  Callan helped Josh pack all the goodies up to the nursery and put everything away under Jenna’s direction. She sank down into the rocker and held a set of blue sleepers on her lap, thinking about the babies who would soon be dressed in them. It was almost too much to take in.

  “You okay, babe?” Josh asked, hunkering down by the chair and gazing into her face. “You’re awfully quiet.”

  “Yes. I’m fine. Just thinking about how these two boys will be here soon and life will be different,” Jenna said thoughtfully.

  “But different in a good way, right?” Josh asked, hoping Jenna still didn’t harbor some deep-seated resentment toward the babies.

  “In an absolutely amazing way.” Jenna smiled and pressed her hand to his cheek. She set aside the sleepers and held her hands out to him. “If you’ll help this walrus up, I want to go downstairs and find a place for that beautiful cradle in our room. I just can’t believe Bobbi and Maggie bought that for us.”

  “Well, why wouldn’t they?” Callan turned away from the drawer where she neatly folded tiny little onesies and put them away. “They said they wanted to get you something nice and it was something you needed. They knew how much you loved it, Jenna. Besides, we’re all like family, aren’t we?”

  “Yes, we are, although I don’t know what I did to deserve to be a part of this family. You all are so good to me and it’s greatly appreciated.” Jenna fought down the tears that threatened to spill and focused her attention on the sunlight streaming in the window. “I’m so glad my mom and sisters could see the shower today, even if they couldn’t be here in person. Sometimes technology comes in really handy.”

  “It was a great idea to have them attend virtually,” Callan said, walking behind Josh and Jenna as they slowly went down the stairs. As she watched her sister-in-law waddle down the steps, Callan thought she seemed overly big for having two months left before her due date. Between Jenna’s flagging energy and her need for rest, Callan hoped the babies didn’t get in a hurry to arrive.

  Later, when Josh and Jenna sat in their room admiring the cradle from their spots on the bed, Jenna released a happy sigh. Josh placed a hand on her belly anticipating the kicks that would soon begin. He didn’t have to wait long before his hand began bouncing from the movement of the babies.

  Grinning, he left his hand on Jenna’s stomach but moved his head closer. “Hey, don’t you know it’s bedtime and your mama needs to rest? You two are strong kickers, aren’t you? We’ll have to get you a football and a soccer ball so you can kick all you want, but not at Mama’s windows, right?”

  The kicking grew in intensity and Jenna laughed. “I guess they’re answering. Keep talking to them. They hear my voice all day, but they get so excited when they hear you.”

  Josh gave Jenna a smile that warmed her from the inside out and kissed her softly. “Thanks, babe. I really want to be a part of all this, but sometimes I don’t know how, exactly.”

  “You’re doing a fantastic job. I don’t know too many men who would want to be as involved or take as much interest in their bloated, pregnant wife and the brood she will soon be hatching as you have.” Jenna gave Josh a teasing grin. “You’re incredible Josh Carver and I love you.”

  “Love you, too, babe. Always have, always will.” Josh kissed her again and turned his attention back to the twins. “And I love you guys. Mama and I just need to figure out what we’re going to name you. What names do you like? Axyl? Tron? Skyler? Skeeter? Any of those names ring your bell?”

  The babies suddenly stopped kicking. Jenna laughed so hard she could hardly catch her breath. “That’ll teach you to throw out names I don’t like. Even the babies know they’re bad.”

  Josh shrugged his shoulders and continued gently rubbing her belly. “Whatever. But we’re going to have to figure out what to call these boys soon. Di
d Callan bring you a list of family names?”

  “She did, but there isn’t a lot to choose from. Truthfully, there are a lot of names on the list, just not many I like. I seem to have the same problem with the names from my side of the family. Who names their kid Horace?”

  Josh turned on his side and studied Jenna. “We’ll get it figured out.”

  When she caught him staring at her, she suddenly felt self-conscious. “What?” She yanked the covers up to her chin.

  “You get more beautiful every day,” Josh whispered, stroking his thumb across her cheek.

  “You’re clearly losing your eyesight. I think we better call the doctor for an appointment on Monday.”

  “My eyesight is perfectly fine.” Josh leaned close and kissed Jenna tenderly before turning off the bedside lamp and pulling her close to snuggle into the warmth and comfort of his arms. “Maybe it’s never been better.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  At thirty-one weeks pregnant, Jenna frequently found herself short of breath plagued by raging heartburn and fatigue. Her blood pressure ran a little on the high side and twinges of pain in her back made sitting for any length of time uncomfortable.

  She awoke that morning feeling unwell, but decided to go to the office.

  As she sat at her desk and tried to focus on her work, her stomach suddenly tightened and a horrible cramping sensation ripped through her. Frightened, she took a few deep breaths and waited for the pain to pass. When it did, she convinced herself all was well until another painful cramp hit her a few minutes later, followed by a third.