Jackson was awake when Nessa slipped out of bed that morning. He gave her enough time to get out of the house before he kicked off the covers and slung his legs over the side of his king-size bed. He dressed for work in a pair of faded jeans and a T-shirt, pulled on his steel-toed boots, and laced them up.

He hoped he’d given Flynn and April enough time for their intervention when he got in his pickup truck and drove over to the O’Riley place. The guys who worked for the county had finally cleared the tree that had blocked the road. He parked in front of the house and took a deep breath as he walked up the steps. If he’d learned anything the past couple of months, it was that Nessa did not take to having decisions made for her.

“Here goes,” he muttered as he raised his hand to knock.

Nessa opened the door before he could make contact and stepped out onto the porch. “I hope you were really serious all those times you asked me to move in with you.”

“I was.” He wrapped his arms around her.

“They’re kicking me out, and they already have my stuff packed. April slept in her room last night.” She rose up on her toes and kissed him. “And something tells me that you already knew.”

“I did,” he said as he gave her another kiss. “Let’s load your things up and go home, darlin’.”

“Home,” she repeated.

“Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” Jackson said.

“Are y’all going to stand out there all morning?” Flynn yelled from the kitchen. “Come on in and have some breakfast, Jackson.”

“I guess I’m getting a family, along with you.” Jackson chuckled.

“Family is another wonderful word.” Nessa took his hand and pulled him into the house.

“I love you, Nessa,” he whispered.

“I love you right back, Jackson.” She stopped in the middle of the living room and kissed him one more time.

Epilogue

Epilogue

One year later

Flynn noticed the T-shirt hanging on the wall when he walked into Weezy’s that cool September evening. It read: “Where the heck is Blossom, Texas?”

“It’s the best-kept secret in all the world, and is right next door to heaven,” he muttered as he headed toward the booth where he and his two cousins had their group therapy once a month. He had just slid into the booth when Nessa and April arrived. Nessa hadn’t changed much since the first time they’d met there, but April had put on a few pounds and looked amazing. They crossed the café and sat across from him.