Page 110 of Miss Magnolia's in a Mash

Grey sets a bag on the table as well. “Just a little something for her.”

“I don’t even know what it is,” Piper admits. “He’s been working on it in secret.”

Grey actually blushes, which I didn’t know was possible.

I reach for the bag and pull out the tissue. Inside is a small pair of custom-made cowboy boots. I pull them out and even I ooh-and-ahh over them.

“You made these?” I ask.

Grey shrugs and stares at the floor. “I thought the baby would need something when they start walking.”

The leatherwork is beautiful and so incredibly intricate on such a small pair of boots. It’s obvious that making something like this would take a lot of time.

“Well, now I’m going to cry again,” Magnolia exclaims.

I pull her into a hug as her happy tears cascade down her cheeks. This time, Laurel chimes in, too.

“Look, she’s a sympathetic crier,” Charlie says.

Everyone laughs, including Magnolia. But it’s Max who has enough insight to usher everyone out of the room so Magnolia can have some privacy to feed the baby.

Once it’s all quiet in the room again, and Magnolia is rewrapping Laurel in a soft swaddling blanket, she looks up at me and grins. “You know, your mom was worried about me feeling lonely living in Pine Ridge. I don’t think we have that problem.”

“That’s because all your friends followed you out here,” I say with a laugh. “By the way, if you’re up for another round of visitors in a couple of hours, I know your family, my mom, and Alexander are on their way too.”

“That sounds great. We might not be able to get my mom to ever leave, though. It’s her first grandbaby. And she’s going to be so thrilled we’re carrying on her tree-themed names.”

“She’s welcome to stay as long as she wants.” I shrug. “The more the merrier. The house is big enough.”

Magnolia laughs. “You know what? That’s something I love about you.”

“What?”

“You say things like that, and you actually mean it.” She presses a kiss against my cheek. “Thanks for being you.”

“Thanks for making me fall in love with you at first sight.”

She smiles brightly at me and adjusts her hold on our baby, and I realize I’m the luckiest man alive.