Leigh kissed her cheek. “I know. I’m just grateful you don’t have a heart condition, and I am glad to be back here. You were right. This is the perfect place to raise the boys.”

“I thought I was doing a good thing.”

“It was very sneaky of you.”

“If I’ve hampered anything…if I’ve caused you and John to delay making plans just because I’m such a buttinsky… ”

“Now, Mom, didn’t we decide you weren’t going to have any more to say about that? You have to butt out.”

“Yes, yes, but may I ask one question?”

“One.”

“Didn’t I pick out exactly the right man for you and the boys?”

“Mom… ”

“Well…?”

Leigh relented and smiled. “Yes, you did pretty well. And I hope you never try anything like that again. Oh, look, people are coming! And I’m not ready!”

“Well, hurry up. I’ll greet them.”

Leigh went into the house and sent out the boys. The first to arrive were the coconspirators, Abby, Kate and Peg. Next came Tom Meadows, bringing flowers for each widow and a lovely bunch for Leigh. Next the pastor and his wife, the golf pro, the local librarian, the town council. John arrived with his entire family, who took up three cars. Not surprisingly, the boys ran to him and seemed to be inclined to stick to him like glue. He introduced them to his entire family. Then the butcher, the baker and the owner of a gift shop. Then the Literacy Council and the Friends of the Library. Nearly fifty people were standing around the backyard with cups of punch before Leigh found her way down the redwood steps.

She wore a long peach-colored dress, nothing too fancy, but Jess had no idea where the dress had come from. And Leigh had brushed out her long blond hair and pinned it back with baby’s breath. “Look at her,” Jess said half to herself.

Tom Meadows cleared his throat. “Are you sure your heart is up to this?”

“Up to what?” Jess asked as Tom began to walk toward Leigh, taking her the bouquet.

John moved quickly toward the gazebo where his brother Mike magically produced a small, black leather book. John said something to the quartet, who stopped playing midsong and began again, a tune that had a very familiar sound.

Jess’s and Leigh’s eyes met across the yard. Jess’s mouth was hanging slightly open, and Leigh’s lips curved in a smile. She blew her mother a kiss just before she accepted the bouquet and looped her arm through Tom’s. And then, to the melody of “The Wedding March,” Tom led Leigh toward the gazebo where John and the two little boys waited. John stooped to say something to them, and they laughed and nodded. Then he stood up to greet Leigh.