After a few hours of uninterrupted time to talk and touch and kiss, it was pretty clear that they were headed in the same direction this time. And that there was no point in waiting. So Leigh told him about Jess.

“From what I overheard, she even made up her heart condition. She’s been plotting with the widows’ brigade to get us married. She was hoping that her garden party would end up being a wedding.”

To her relief, John laughed. “It figures. She needs to be taught a lesson. If you’re sure her heart’s okay.”

“I’m sure. Though it may be somewhat weakened if I’m away much longer. Thinking that you’ve been stuck with four-year-old twins could wreck an otherwise strong heart.”

“I’m not sure that’s punishment enough. But,” he said, grinning, “it’s a pretty good start.”

* * *

John and Leigh took on the widows’ brigade. The four women took their tongue-lashing quite well, considering that not one of them would take the blame singularly. They busily blamed each other. And they unanimously swore they had only had everyone’s best interests at heart.

“You two make such a wonderful couple,” Peg said. “And you seemed to need just a slight push.”

“We only want our children settled and happy,” said Abby.

“And in a family setting, not this significant-other stuff the young people are doing nowadays,” Kate said.

“We’re sorry we interfered, but we did think you’d be happy together. Really,” Jess added.

“But that’s not your place, is it?” John lectured. “It happens that you’re very lucky you didn’t do some real damage. You’re lucky because it turns out that Leigh and I like each other and plan to go on seeing each other. But when and if we decide to marry, it’s going to be our decision. Understand?”

The four women nodded with choreographed precision.

“And,” added Leigh, “especially since there are children involved, this isn’t going to be a snap courtship. John and I have done lots of talking about the kind of family life we have in mind as individuals. We’re not going to rush into anything with the boys’ futures at stake. We’re going to be sure our values are similar and our goals can mesh. We’re very different, you know. Understand?”

Four nods.

“From this point on, you are not to involve yourselves in any romantic notions that concern anyone other than yourselves.”

Four sets of eyes rolled. As if any of them wanted any kind of romantic notions. Ha.

“And you will not make any plans for anyone else. If you’re curious about something, you will kindly ask the question and take the answer, which might be ‘none of your business.’ Understood?”