Third Time's a Charm (Holland Springs #3)(93)
He couldn’t be serious. This was almost too much happiness for one day. “You’ll live in Holland Springs with me?”
“I’ll live anywhere with you and Ivy.”
She smiled through the last of her tears as they drifted off to sleep with one another.
They woke up to Ivy babbling over the baby monitor.
“I’ll get her.” Sasha leapt out of bed, grabbed some pajama bottoms and hopped out of the room as he put them on. He came back with Ivy a few minutes later and joined Rose in bed, placing the baby between them.
Rose sighed contentedly. “My family’s complete.”
“Our family’s complete,” he said, then he kissed her.
Epilogue
The town square of Holland Springs was awash in pinks, reds, and greens. All in honor of Mother’s Day and ripe strawberries. There was a Strawberry Queen, a pie-eating contest, and a strawberry-picking contest. Not wanting to ruin his vintage McQueen shirt, Sasha had opted out of the last two, and had been unable to cajole Rose into running for the first event.
He watched as his daughter toddled around Daisy’s display of cheesecake slices.
“Get what you like, darling,” he called out.
A feminine hand clasped his and he turned his head. Rose stood by his side, beautiful blue eyes shining as she smiled. “Ivy, come away from there before you knock something over.”
Ivy’s bright yellow bow quivered in her hair as she ran to them, chubby little legs fast and sure. “Mummy!”
Rose caught Ivy up with in hug, then set her down and smoothed out her skirt.
“A one year old doesn’t need cheesecake,” Rose pointed out, a slight smile on her red lips. Her booth’s merchandise had sold out within an hour of opening. Carolina Dreams was more popular than ever and so were Rose’s famed match-making skills. She’d sent seven couples in the last three months to the spring and all seven had come back engaged.
“She’s nearly two.” At Rose’s frown, he quickly said, “I wasn’t actually going to let her have any.”
Ivy’s little brow furrowed as she tugged at Rose’s Dior skirt, then pointed at the booth. “Eat cake, daddy!”
“Really?” Rose crossed her arms over her chest.
He gave Rose his most innocent look. “I wanted it to be a surprise for you.” He walked over to Daisy and threw out his arms, waving his hands at the display. “Surprise.”
“’Prise,” Ivy shouted, mimicking him.
Daisy shook her head, bright orange strands slid to one side and she tucked them behind an ear. “You’ve already eaten two slices. Pay up.”
Rose snorted and took Ivy’s hand. “Let’s go before daddy thinks of any more surprises that get him in trouble.”
It warmed his heart to see the two of them together. So close, so loving…and stylishly dressed. There was something to be said about a man who was content. Who was in love and completely infatuated with his wife. With his daughter. With his entire life.
He loved taking care of Ivy and staying abreast of the progress of the hospital being built in his mother’s old village. Bringing Rose lunch was one of the highlights of his day. Having her in his bed every night was beyond compare.
Rose glanced at him over her shoulder, curly black hair tumbling down her back and her yellow diamond ring catching the sun. “Let’s go, Mr. Holland.”
“Be right there, love.” Tonight he would really surprise Rose by taking her away on a belated honeymoon. And Ivy, of course. He glanced down at his own wedding band, then grinned and strolled after them.