Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart Page A

his church shoes squishing. “But do you know what?”
    “What?”
    “If I had a dog, then he coulda helped me.”
    “I get the hint, buddy.” Jonas thought of the vacation pictures from the first album he’d studied, and how his son had been at his side in nearly every photo. Of the way Tyler gazed up at him with such love and need.
    He felt that way about his little boy—he loved and needed him, too. He ruffled Tyler’s downy brown hair. “Your mom promised we would start looking into getting a dog after the wedding.”
    “Good thing Aunt Aubrey is getting married today cuz I can’t wait anymore!” Good-natured, Tyler rolled his eyes, and plopped on the couch. “Know what?”
    “What?” Jonas raised his arm so Tyler could lean close against him. It was a rare kind of sweetness when his son snuggled close.
    “I’m gonna name him Lucky.”
    “That’s a mighty good name.”
    “Cuz he’s gonna be a mighty good dog.”
    Emotion welled up in his chest, making it hard to breathe. Every beat of his heart hurt. Jonas gazed down at the little boy and turned back the pages of the photo album he had taken off Danielle’s bookcase. The picture was of a red-faced, hours-old newborn, swaddled in blue, napping in a hospital bassinet. The tag overhead read, Baby Boy Lowell.
    “That’s me.” Tyler leaned close to study the page of pictures. “I was real little then. Maddy was like that when we first got her from God at the hospital. She was reaaally little but reaaally loud.”
    It was a marvel, this baby who had grown into this little boy. Lost memories—lost moments—Jonas could not get back.
    “Sorta like now.” Tyler grinned, showing off his dimples, nodding to his little sister standing in the middle of the room, talking away at full speed.
    “Yip, call me. See yew later, alligator.” She disconnected with a flourish. “Mommy!”
    Sure enough, Danielle had swept back into the room. Jonas felt his pulse skid to a stop. Everything within him silenced. There were so many memories he’d lost of her, too. So many moments, huge and small. But there, in the album on his knees, was the image he could not remember. Exhausted, pale, happy Danielle propped up in the hospital bed, cradling their son. The woman who had given him a home, and a family—everything that mattered.
    “Madison! We’re running late. Where are your shoes?”
    “I donno.” Madison pressed a button and the cell phone rang. “Oop! I gotta take it.”
    “You can talk while we race, bubbles.” Danielle scooped the girl up and settled her onto her hip, still managing to look amazing.
    Simply amazing. He could not look away. His eyes refused to move. He wasn’t sure his lungs were pulling in air.
    “Jonas, are you and Tyler ready? Tyler! Look at you.” Danielle shook her head, scattering her chestnut curls. “Well, you’re not wet clear through. I suppose Aubrey won’t mind if her ring bearer is water spotted.”
    Jonas closed the photo album and set it on the table. “Maybe we can strap him to the top of the minivan. He’ll be dry by the time we make it to the church.”
    “Good idea.” Danielle’s eyes twinkled merrily at him over the top of Madison’s curls.
    His heartbeat stalled. Sharing a smile made him feel closer to her. His worries felt lighter as he followed his wife and kids through the house to the garage. Danielle was busy strapping Madison into her seat.
    “Noooo! I don’ wanna!” the little girl shouted at the top of her lungs, her cell phone clutched in one chubby hand.
    “She’s still reaaally loud.” Tyler climbed into the backseat beside her. “C’mon, Maddy. I have to get buckled in, too.”
    “But I want Daddy.”
    Jonas eased in beside his wife and leaned his cane against the open door. “Let me finish buckling her.”
    “Thank you.” She laid her hand on his arm and squeezed once.
    Madison’s squeals faded away and the heat of the garage with it. His troubles and worries vanished, leaving only