The door opened, and Jasper walked in, carrying a tray. “Mother, I thought we’d agreed that you wouldn’t interfere.”
“It’s all right,” Emma Jane said, smiling at her mother-in-law. “The truth is, I didn’t consider Jasper’s wishes in naming Moses, and I know my lack of consideration hurt him deeply. I think we’ve all been guilty of not living out 1 Corinthians, and that’s something I’m going to do better at, as well.”
Then she turned her head toward Jasper. “I was hoping you’d be the one to give Moses a middle name.” Then she hesitated. Was this enough of a compromise? Of working together. “That is, if you’re agreeable to naming him Moses.”
The sides of Jasper’s lips twitched into a smile. “Does that mean you’ve accepted my proposal?”
“Oh, my! I didn’t, did I?”
A grin so wide she thought it would split her face in two filled her. “Yes! I do love you, Jasper. So very much. And I want to be your wife and have children and spend the rest of our lives together.”
Jasper set the tray on the table beside the bed. “Good.” Then he set a hand on his mother’s shoulder. “I’m sure my mother will rest easier knowing that the woman I love happens to love me back.”
Mrs. Jackson smiled. “Indeed. I can’t imagine wanting anything different for my son.” Then she looked down at Moses. “Or my grandson.”
If it were possible for a person’s heart to burst from joy, surely Emma Jane’s would. But it was the expression on Jasper’s face that made Emma Jane’s joy complete. She had never seen him looking so content, smiling down at his mother, holding his son, then catching her eye as if to say, “This is everything I always dreamed of.”
Perhaps it was just fancy on her part, since in all of her biggest dreams, she’d never imagined it could be this good.
“Mrs. Jackson,” Emma Jane said, turning her attention to her mother-in-law. “Would you mind taking Moses into the other room so I could have a moment alone with my husband?”
Gone was the expression of contented gentility on the older woman’s face, replaced by the hawk-like version Emma Jane knew so well. “This will not do. I realize you have your own mother, but do you think you could at least call me Mother Jackson? Mrs. Jackson implies we have no relationship at all.”
Mother Jackson’s eyes softened. “And I do hope that we can have one. Jasper tells me that you knit. Perhaps when you’re feeling up to it, we could make some things for my grandson.”
A twinkle filled her eyes. “And perhaps any others who might come along?”
“I would like that,” Emma Jane whispered, looking over at Jasper. He’d suggested that their shared love of knitting would bring them together, just as Olivia had said that a grandchild would change their relationship.
Jasper winked at Emma Jane, then turned to his mother. “Now that we’ve settled that matter, I do believe my wife has requested time alone with me.”
He didn’t wait for Mother Jackson to leave before bending down and kissing Emma Jane. For the first time, their kiss felt absolutely complete. He loved her, and she loved him. Which was all that mattered in the world.
Epilogue
Spring had brought a flurry of activity to Leadville Community Church. And not for tragic reasons. Emma Jane had no idea where so many flowers had come from, but as she gazed around the entrance to the church, she couldn’t imagine it looking any more beautiful.
Though her silk dress was brand-new, it was already starting to feel tight. She rubbed the small of her back where it was starting to ache after spending all day helping her friends ready the church for today’s ceremony.
“Tired already?” Jasper asked, putting an arm around her, then placing his hand over the tiny bump that was starting to form at her waist. They hadn’t told anyone of the new addition soon to be joining their family, but tonight, at the celebration at the Jackson mansion, they would share their news.
“We don’t have to go through this,” he said, grinning. “After all, we’ve already been married once.”
If she didn’t know the twinkle in his eye so well, she’d have thought that he was concerned about her well-being. She pulled his head down for a kiss.
“Absolutely not,” she chided when they were finished. “Guests are arriving, and your mother has been looking forward to this event for so long.”
Mother Jackson approached, laughing as Moses reached for her diamond necklace and tried putting it in his mouth. “Jasper, do try to behave for at least one day. I know how you hate these things, but I am determined to show off your lovely wife and son.”
She pulled the diamond out of Moses’s hand. “As for you, young man, I think your father needs to teach you about the proper treatment of a lady’s jewelry.” In a swift motion, she handed the baby to Jasper.
Then she looked Emma Jane up and down. “Although I see he has neglected his own wife’s collection, and that simply won’t do.”
Emma Jane tried not to groan. She’d made it clear that diamonds were not what she wanted from Jasper, and they’d both agreed their money would be better spent on their projects with the church.
Mother Jackson reached at the back of her neck, then took off her necklace. “Turn around, Emma Jane. This was a gift from Henry when we were married, and now I am giving it to you.”
The diamond was heavy on her neck as she looked at Jasper, questioning. He merely shrugged.
“There.” Mother Jackson turned around and examined her handiwork. “Absolutely breathtaking. Just watch your son’s sticky little fingers on it.”
She smiled as she turned to greet the guests who were arriving, but before she could take more than a step, an older matron with an oversize hat approached her.
“Whatever kind of celebration is this?”
“My son
