They both turned to see Abigail’s little boy crawling fast toward the doorway, making a beeline for all the interesting shoes piled there.

“I don’t think so, little one!” she scolded, luckily saving her son before he could put one of Harmony’s work shoes into his waiting mouth.

“Give ‘em here,” Nolan said, holding his arms out to accept the toddler. “I’ve got a knack for them when they’re this age.”

“Enjoy!” Abigail said, plopping her son into Nolan’s outstretched arms.

Something very strange happened in Harmony’s chest as she watched her friend lift the baby up high into the air and make zooming airplane noises as they dipped from side to side.

Owen giggled nonstop, encouraging all the adults to stop and watch the happy little boy who was completely oblivious to the scary situation that had put the rest of them on edge.

“Dinner’s ready!” Virginia announced a short time later. The clock had only just struck four.

“And that’s our cue to get out of here,” Abigail said, accepting her son back from Nolan. “Thanks for watching him. I can tell you’re one of his favorite people now.”

“Aww, and he’s one of mine,” Nolan said, rubbing the wild tuft of bright orange hair on top of the adorable kiddo’s head.

“Wait,” Pastor Adam urged. “Mrs. Clementine hasn’t packed our to-go box yet.”

“We’re not taking a to-go box,” Abigail said, drawing one hand to her hip and staring her old man down.

“Then we can stay?” the pastor asked hopefully.

“Not when we have a nice salad waiting for us at your house,” Gavin interjected, sending a knowing look to his future father-in-law.

“But who wants salad when you can have this fine sugared ham instead?”

“Your heart, for one,” Abigail said. “Your poor overstretched pants for another.”

“Do you hear how she talks to me?” Pastor Adam asked Harmony with a dejected look upon his face.

“She does have a point,” Virginia said. “Your waistline has seen better days.”

“Et tu, Mrs. Clementine?” he asked in mock hurt.

“And it’s about time, too,” Abigail said triumphantly, nudging her father, fiancé, and son toward the door. “Welcome to Team Healthy Dad, Mrs. Clementine. Goodnight, Harmony and Nolan.”

Nolan and Harmony joined Virginia at the table and began to dish up. Yes, it was far too early for dinner, but Ginny had worked hard on this meal and now needed someone to enjoy it with her, seeing as the original intended had been forced away before he could take even a single bite.

Their hostess sat quietly contemplating the ham and au gratin potatoes before her. “Do you think it’s my fault that the pastor has become a bit hefty these days? He looks just fine to me, but if his heart is in trouble… I’d hate to be the one to push him toward the grave. He’s such a good, kind man. The congregation needs him for as long as they can keep him.”

Nolan shook his head vigorously and waved his fork in protest. “What? No way. As a fellow cook, I can tell you that it’s our job to make the food as delicious as possible. It’s his job to control how much of it he eats.”