Heart of Hope Read online

  “Nope, but we might have to get Netflix.” Jenna took a helping of salad and passed it along to Josh. “I finally have time to read all the books I’ve wanted to read and watch all the movies I keep thinking I’ll get around to seeing someday.”

  “Atta girl. Put a positive spin on this.” Clay offered her an encouraging smile. “You’ll be so well read and fluent in movie-lore, you’ll be able to compete on Jeopardy.”

  Everyone laughed and the meal finished on a lighthearted note. Callan and Audrey did the dishes, while Clay cleared the table. Josh helped Jenna into the family room where he and Emma kept her entertained for a while. When the kitchen was clean and set to rights, Callan picked up the girls’ backpacks and suggested they head home for the evening.

  Emma and Audrey put on their coats then leaned over Jenna to give her a kiss and hug.

  “Thanks for letting us visit, Auntie Jenna. We’ll come back another day,” Audrey said as she tugged her backpack over her shoulder and walked out the door.

  “Thanks, Auntie Jenna!” Emma waved and ran out to the car that Clay started earlier so it would be warm on the ride home.

  Callan hugged both Josh and Jenna then slipped her arms into the coat Clay held for her. Clay thumped Josh on the back then kissed Jenna’s cheek after he pulled on his own coat.

  “Call if you need anything at all,” he said as they walked to the door.

  “Thanks, guys,” Jenna yelled from her spot on the couch. “I appreciate it.”

  “Thanks again. You two are the best.” Josh walked them to the door. As he watched Clay settle his arm around Callan’s shoulders, he laughed as he recalled the dinner conversation. “Just remember, you’re on kissing probation.”

  Callan rolled her eyes and gave his arm a playful slug. “Just wait until you have four little eyes watching your every move and see how funny you think it is.”

  Josh sauntered back to the living room and sank down beside Jenna then put his arm around her.

  “How are you holding up, little mama?”

  Jenna turned her head to look at Josh and smiled. “I’m doing okay. You know, you really have the nicest family. Is there anything that sister of yours won’t do for you?”

  “Nothing I can think of.” Josh appeared thoughtful as he quietly considered the relationship he shared with Callan and Clay. “She and Clay have always been there if I needed help. We’ve been there for them. That’s what family does, right?”

  “Yes,” Jenna said, rubbing her belly. “I just hope our boys grow up to be as close as you and Callan. I always thought my sisters and I were close, but I can’t imagine them dropping everything to come help me with a problem the way Clay and Callan do for us. You’ve done the same for them. It’s really a blessing.”

  “Yep. I know it.” Josh placed his hand lightly on her stomach. It seemed to get bigger by the day. “Do you want to sit here awhile or would you like to go back to bed?”

  “I’m sick of staring at the bedroom walls. Can we just hang out here for a while?” Jenna snuggled against Josh as he grabbed the remote and flipped through the television to see what they might be interested in watching.

  “You bet. Are you in the mood for reality nonsense, something mysterious, or a comedy?”

  “Some of those reality shows cover all three don’t they?”

  Chuckling, Josh agreed. “They sure do.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Josh and Jenna settled into a new routine. He spent as much time as he could with her and made certain when he left the house, she had everything she needed close at hand. In case she needed him while he was out, he kept her cell phone charged, within her reach.

  Family and friends took turns visiting, usually in the afternoons. Many of them brought a meal. Callan arranged for someone to provide dinner every other day. With the abundance of food everyone brought, Josh only had to cook a few times since his sister set up the meal deliveries. Everyone who came brought Jenna bits of news, shared stories, and did their best to take her mind off her confinement for an hour or two.

  One Saturday, Barb drove out for a visit and caught her up on all the office news.

  “Mrs. Gordon was nearly beside herself the day I took you to the hospital. She says you’re the best person she’s ever had in that position and she isn’t letting anybody mess with it. Whenever you’re ready to come back to work, rest assured, your position will be available.”

  “That’s good to know,” Jenna said. She worried about leaving work so abruptly, with no warning. She’d been trying to get things ready for her maternity leave, but with so many weeks left before her due date, she didn’t have everything done she’d planned to do. Although she’d asked Dr. Meliah’s permission to do some work from home, she received a negative response to the request along with the reminder she needed to rest.

  Since winter was a slow time for Josh on the farm, he cleaned the house, bought the groceries, and did whatever needed to be done. Jenna reminded him about paying bills and he’d even managed to figure out her filing system. She decided, during her bed rest, to take up crocheting. Maggie Chandler, Jake’s mother, came over a few times to help her learn.

  Maggie arrived that afternoon bearing a pan of lasagna, yarn, and a pattern for a baby blanket. She and Jenna worked intently for a couple of hours. Two little blankets, one tan and the other navy blue, began taking shape. Josh helped Jenna out to the couch right after lunch and that’s where Maggie found her when she arrived.

  “You’re a quick learner, Jenna,” Maggie said as she whipped through another row of stitches, watching Jenna work at a slower pace, but doing a great job.

  “I so appreciate you teaching me, Maggie. At least this gives me something to do with my hands and a challenge for my head.” Jenna concentrated on the hook flashing back and forth in the yarn, carefully following Maggie’s instructions.

  “I’m glad we could spend some time together. Bobbi speaks so highly of you and Josh, and that boy of mine thinks the world of you both.”

  “What is Jake up to these days?” Jenna asked. She hadn’t seen him since Christmas and assumed he was busy finishing his work at the bio lab before he transitioned into his new job at the extension office.

  “He’s been staying out of trouble, working extra hours at the lab. He really did like the work, but said he can’t stand being in an office all day. You know him. He’s a bit of a wild child. I guess you can take the boy out of the country, but not the country out of the boy.” Maggie laughed and looked out the window for a moment before she continued crocheting.

  “I’ll be glad to have him closer to home, that’s for sure. I think he’ll enjoy working at the extension office and he’ll be able to get out of the office most days, which should keep him from getting so antsy. You should see him when he comes out to the farm after staying in the office and city all week. He acts like he did when he was five and couldn’t sit still for a minute. Constant motion, that one.”

  “We enjoyed having him with us for the summer. He was a huge help to Josh. You raised a fine boy, Maggie.”

  “Thank you, Jenna.” Maggie patted her leg. “He is a good boy. I just wish I could do something about his taste in women. My stars, you should see some of the girls he’s dated, not that he ever brings them around for us to meet. Isn’t there an old country song about liking women on the trashy side? As much as I hate to say it, that would be our Jake.”

  Jenna laughed. “Oh, I’ve seen him out a time or two. Maybe he’s going through a phase. You know, sowing his wild oats, and all that. When the right girl comes along, he’ll change his ways.”

  “I certainly hope so.” Maggie shot Jenna a hopeful glance. “Look at me going on. You’re going to have two boys to handle. I hope they grow up to have much better taste in women than Jake.”

  The women continued crocheting for a while then Maggie put the lasagna in the oven to warm along with a loaf of crusty bread.

  “Thank you for coming, Maggie. I’ll keep working on this blan
ket and maybe have it finished by the next time you come,” Jenna said, smiling at the kind woman.

  “You’re doing just fine with it, Jenna. Keep at it and you’ll be done before you know it. It was a treat to visit with you, dear.”

  “Thanks again, and tell that rascally son of yours the next time he’s home to stop by for a visit,” Jenna called as Maggie walked out the door.

  Jenna finished crocheting the baby blanket, read a dozen books, looked at every magazine in the house at least twice, watched movies until she felt cross-eyed, surfed online until she couldn’t think of a thing she hadn’t Googled and made lists of dozens of baby names, none of which she and Josh both liked. She napped, rested, lazed around, and felt like a useless blob.

  One morning, she awoke to find Josh running around cleaning house before that day’s assigned babysitter arrive to sit with her that afternoon.

  Jenna felt like such a burden to Josh and their family. She’d love to be able to get up and go for a walk or even make a batch of cookies. Grateful to their friends and family for all their time, meals, and care, she still couldn’t help feeling cooped up and confined.

  She heard the vacuum turn off and knew Josh would put it away before he picked up the duster and ran it around the family room. He walked into their room and quickly dusted every surface then disappeared in their bathroom. Despite his dislike of the chores, he scrubbed the shower, sink and toilet. After wiping down the counter, he carried the towels to the laundry room and started a load of wash.

  At least when he did the laundry, she had something to do. He brought each load, fresh from the dryer, to the bed where she could fold the clothes without exerting any effort. She never thought she’d be excited to fold laundry, but it made her feel useful for a few minutes.

  “Tell me again who’s coming today?” Jenna yelled as Josh clomped down the stairs.

  “I already told you, it’s a surprise,” Josh called back. He banged around in the kitchen and soon appeared in their room with a steaming cup of tea. After setting it down on the nightstand, he gave her a kiss and a wink. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

  Jenna ran a hand over her hair and looked down at her clothes. She insisted on taking a shower, fixing her hair, putting on mascara, and getting dressed every day. Josh studied her and smiled.

  “You look just fine, little mama.” Jenna glanced up at him. She hadn’t told him, but every time he called her little mama, a piece of her heart melted into a gooey puddle.

  “For a hippo.” Jenna rubbed a hand over her ever-expanding middle. “I forget the last time I could see my feet.”

  Josh laughed and grabbed one foot, gently massaging it before rubbing the other one. “They’re still right here, just as cute as ever. I need to head out to take care of a few things. Do you need anything before I go?”

  “No, I’m good. How far are you going?”

  “I’m running into Tenacity on a few errands. I’ll be back in an hour. I’ve got my phone if you need me. Do you want to stay in here or go out to the family room?”

  “The family room would be great.” Jenna swung her legs over the bed. Josh hovered over her and she pushed him back. “I really want to walk by myself. Shuffling from here to there will be fine. You can walk with me.”

  After settling into the cushions of the couch, Josh waited until she let out a weary sigh before returning to the bedroom. He retrieved her mug of tea and warmed it in the microwave before placing it on the end table next to her. He made sure the remote was within her grasp then took a step toward the door. Before he reached it, he turned back.

  “Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

  “I’m fine. Go on. Breathe some fresh air for me.”

  “Okay. I’ll be back soon.”

  Shortly after Josh left, Jenna heard a knock at the front door. “Come in,” she called.

  The knocking continued, so she yelled louder. “Come on in.”

  The door opened and footsteps echoed in the front foyer. She thought she heard shushing then three familiar faces peeked around the corner into the family room. Jenna stared at her mom, dad and oldest sister, Chrissy. Slowly raising herself up, she sat speechless as they hurried to her side.

  “Jenna, look at you!” her mom gushed as she engulfed her in a hug. Her dad bent down for a hug followed by Chrissy. Her sister plopped down beside her on the couch while her parents took seats on the loveseat.

  “Wow, look at this belly.” Chrissy rubbed Jenna’s stomach then leaned down with her mouth close to it. “Hello, little nephews. Aunt Chrissy is here.”

  Jenna laughed, cried and smiled, all at the same time. She had no control over her emotions these days and learned to go with whatever came along. Grabbing a tissue from the ever-present box on the table behind the couch, she dabbed at her cheeks. “What are you doing here? This is the best surprise! Josh said someone special was coming to stay with me today, but wouldn’t say whom. Oh, this is just wonderful. Take off your coats and tell me everything.”

  Jenna’s dad gathered their coats, hanging them in the coat closet by the front door. Chrissy found mugs in the kitchen and made a pot of tea. They talked for an hour before Josh walked in carrying hot pizza.

  “Anyone hungry for lunch?” he asked as he set the boxes on the kitchen counter.

  “Josh, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me they were coming,” Jenna called from the couch. “You’re so sneaky!”

  “Yep, that’s me, the sneak.” Josh walked into the room and shook his father-in-law’s hand, before hugging his mother-in-law and Chrissy. “Dan, Vivian, I’m so glad you could come. Chrissy, I wasn’t sure you’d be able to get away, but I’m thrilled that you could. Where are your kids?”

  Chrissy and her husband, Greg, had three little girls, ages three, seven and ten. “They’re at their grandmother’s house today. Their dad gets full-on duty for the weekend. He’ll really appreciate me by the time we get home Sunday evening.”

  Josh laughed. “How was your drive? You must have gotten an early start.”

  “We did. Since it’s a Thursday, traffic wasn’t terrible this morning so we made good time,” Dan said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “I forget what a nice drive it is from Seattle to Portland and really isn’t that far. We’ll have to think about making the trip more often.”

  “We’d love to have you whenever you want to head this direction,” Josh said, motioning toward the kitchen. “I brought home some pizza and there’s a salad in the fridge. Shall we have some lunch?”

  “I’m starving.” Chrissy walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, taking out the salad and setting it on the table. Vivian and Dan wandered in and set the pizza and napkins on the table. Josh helped Jenna up and walked with her to the dining table, easing her into a chair with the footstool.

  Chrissy, Vivian, and Dan watched, seemingly impressed by Josh’s dutiful care of Jenna.

  “Wow, Josh. Are you always so helpful with our girl?” Vivian asked. “It’s so sweet how much effort you put into caring for my daughter.”

  Josh blushed, but smiled at Jenna then her mom. “Someone has to keep her on the straight and narrow.” He retrieved plates and forks, and placed them on the table.

  After Josh gave thanks for the meal, they ate lunch and enjoyed the conversation. Fatigue settled over Jenna at the end of the meal. She struggled to think of a graceful way to excuse herself for a nap when Josh noticed her drooping.

  “Well, little mama, isn’t it about time for your nap?” Josh scooted his chair back from the table and stood beside her chair.

  At her weary nod, he gently helped her up and walked her into their bedroom, waiting as she settled herself on the bed. Josh returned to their company. Jenna would sleep for an hour or so, then be ready for more visiting with her family.

  As he stepped into the kitchen, he found Vivian and Chrissy loading the dishwasher and Dan wiping off the table.

  “You guys don’t need to help. You’re our guests this weeke
nd.” Josh looked around and couldn’t find anything that required his attention.

  “Now, Josh, you just get this straight from the get-go. We came to help this weekend so whatever we can do, just point us in the right direction,” Chrissy informed him, hands on her hips. “Mom and I will take care of dinner tonight. Anything in particular you’d like to have?”

  Somewhat taken aback, Josh shook his head. “No, whatever you make will be fine. Really, I didn’t invite you to come so you would work all weekend. I just thought Jenna would enjoy seeing you all.”

  Vivian put a hand on his arm. “We know that Josh, but we want to be useful while we’re here. I didn’t realize Jenna is so limited in what she can do. Is she really not even able to walk around much?”

  Josh smiled. “The doctor said only when necessary. If I’m here in the house and she needs something, it’s no problem to help her. We’re really trying to make it to thirty-seven weeks with the babies and we still have a few to go to get there.”

  Chrissy walked over to him and looped her arm through his. “I think it’s sweet the way you take care of her and call her ‘little mama.’ Frankly, I’m glad I had my kids one at a time. She looks positively miserable.” Chrissy tipped her head toward the stairs and gave Josh an engaging smile. “How about you show us the nursery Jenna’s been bragging about every time we talk to her?”

  Josh gave them the grand tour of the nursery and they made all the appropriate comments. Dan studied the table Clay and his cohorts made for Christmas.

  “You say your brother-in-law made this?” Dan rubbed his hand over one of the carved faces on the back of a chair.

  “Yes. Clay and some of the relatives worked on it together, but I think he did most of the work.”

  “It’s absolutely amazing. Your boys are pretty lucky, aren’t they?”

  Josh smiled, warmth lighting his eyes to a shade of silvery gray. “I like to think they’re very blessed.”