As she entered the kitchen, Mack found a very nervous Thomas and a very hot-looking Dean sitting at the table, trying to wait patiently for Eliza and Jacob, who were being driven to the cottage by Dean’s parents.
“Hey, beautiful. What are you doing down here in jeans? There’s a wedding happening in a few hours.”
She walked over to Dean and wrapped her arms around him from behind. “I have it on good authority that the gorgeous bride has it all under control!”
She kissed Dean on the top of his head and walked around the table to Thomas to give him a hug as well.
“What if she doesn’t like me?” Thomas asked in a worried voice.
“Oh, Thomas, Eliza said you have always been in her heart. You could have two heads, and she will still love you. Please don’t worry. In fact, I bet Eliza is probably thinking the same as you. Sixty-eight years is a long time.”
She walked back to Dean and sat on his lap, feeling awfully nervous for the reunion.
Thomas pulled himself together, sat up in his chair, reached inside his jacket, and took out an envelope. “This here is your wedding present.” He tapped it on the tabletop. “I want you both to know that up until last week, I didn’t have any family. Now I have a large one, and it includes you both. I certainly don’t have anyone to pass anything on to, although Lucas has spoken up for the Our Gang comics.” He took a breath. “Having said all that, because of you both, I have my sister back, and that’s worth more than what’s in here.”
He handed the envelope to Dean.
Mack’s hands were shaking far too much to open the envelope so she passed it to Dean. He opened it and couldn’t believe what he was looking at.
“Dean, what is it?” Mack asked.
He had to swallow around the lump in his throat. “It’s the deed to Rose Cottage, in both our names.”
Mack and Dean just looked at Thomas. “You’re both at home here at Rose Cottage, and I’m getting too old to look after it. I want you both to have it, and to live here and raise a family. Besides, I happen to know the local school needs a teacher, and I have it on good authority that Auntie Mack is a very good one, although a bit bossy.”
Mack was stunned. She certainly hadn’t expected the cottage as a wedding present, but she should have known Thomas would do something like he had. Rose Cottage was where it had all started. Not just for herself and Dean, but for Rose and Jacob all those years ago.
Standing up, she met Thomas, who was walking toward them for a very big hug. “I don’t know what to say, Thomas,” she told him, unable to hold the tears back.
“Just
a thank you will suffice.”
She pulled back and took hold of Dean’s hand. “Thank you. I do love it here.” She looked at Dean. “If it’s okay with Dean then we’ll live here. Besides, someone has to make sure you don’t get into any trouble.”
Thomas chuckled. “Just make sure those babies appear sooner rather than later. I’m not a spring chicken anymore.”
“I’m sure we’ll get started on that pretty soon.” Mack blushed.
“With plenty of practice, I’m sure we’ll get it right.” Dean chuckled.
They heard a car pull up outside, which stopped the laughter, and panic flickered across Thomas’s face.
Mack took Thomas’s hand. “Come on, Thomas, you can do this. Just remember Eliza and Jacob are going to be just as nervous as you are.”
Dean opened the back door and held it open as Thomas stepped out, holding Mack’s hand really tight as though he expected her to bolt. Dean followed them outside and ran over to open the car door for his grandparents.
His grandfather stepped out first, and then turned back toward the car to help Eliza out.
With Dean on one side and Jacob on the other, they made their way to Mack and Thomas, who were waiting not too far away.
Mack could feel Thomas shaking, and from the look of things, so were Eliza and Jacob. Meeting Dean’s eyes, Mack nudged Thomas forward at the same time Eliza let go of both Dean and Jacob to wrap her arms around Thomas. They were both sobbing as though their hearts would burst.
Mack took two steps straight into Dean’s arms and cried all over him. He ran his hands up and down her back in a soothing motion.
Mack finally managed to get herself under control and wiped her face on the handkerchief Dean’s father passed her. “Thank you.”
Eliza took hold of Jacob’s hand and pulled him slightly forward to meet her brother. She had written in her diary how much she wished that Thomas and Jacob could get to know each other. Although it was a long time ago when she had expressed that wish, it was now coming true.