“Knock, knock,” he called out as he and Lovey walked in.

For a split second the room was silent, and then everyone began talking at once and shouting out greetings from all over.

They were still absorbing the fact that the elegant gray-haired woman on Marc’s arm was the Janie Chapman they’d known as a girl when the second couple walked in behind them and closed the door. At that point, there was an audible gasp of disbelief.

Marc took it as his cue to begin introductions.

“I know most of you remember the young Janie, and this is my beautiful Jane Cooper now, who prefers to answer to Lovey.” Then he and Lovey stepped to the side. “This man is our son, John Sullivan Raines, who goes by Sully, and his fiancée, Melissa Dean.”

And then a voice shouted from somewhere in the back of the room.

“Marco!”

“Polo!” Marc shouted back.

At that point, Lovey knew who it was, and tensed when she recognized Marc’s brother, David, coming toward them. But she immediately relaxed when he greeted her with a kiss on each cheek.

“Welcome to the family, Lovey Cooper. You grew into a most elegant woman. It is so very nice to see you again.” Then he punched Marc lightly on the shoulder and pointed at Sully. “Of course, you would produce a son in your own image!”

The family laughed as David continued. “Sully, I am your uncle David, your father’s younger, shorter brother whose hair did not turn an attractive shade of gray but has chosen instead to fall out.”

Sully grinned as once again the family laughed.

David poked Marc on the arm. “And, as if it wasn’t hard enough to grow up with such a handsome older brother, now I see I will be going into old age with his clone as my only nephew. But the good news is that my nephew is much smarter than my brother, because it didn’t take him nearly as long to find such a beautiful woman.”

At that point, laughter rocked the house, and they were all engulfed by the family crowing around them. Introductions began, starting with Aunt June, who was their hostess, and after that there were so many others that Sully gave up trying to remember who they were.

Lovey had already been reclaimed by her old schoolmates—Sophia, Marlee, Tina, and Rachel—who were taking credit for reuniting her and Marc.

“You’re absolutely stunning, and we’re so happy you’ve all found each other,” Sophia said. “I hope this is the beginning of many Adamos family dinners together.”

Lovey’s voice was shaking a little. “Thank you, and I’ll be honest, I’m still pinching myself that this has happened. I never dreamed I would see Marc or our baby again.”

Marlee hugged her. “Dreams do come true, and you’re living proof. So tell us about Blessings. Marc said you own and run a restaurant called Granny’s Country Kitchen? That’s amazing.”

Finally, Lovey was on familiar ground. Her eyes began to sparkle.