Josh walked into the kitchen after a quick shower and saw that she'd taken the casserole out of the oven and put it on the table.

The domesticity of the scene wasn't lost on him. He pushed aside the pang longing for what wasn't meant to be.

He kept hearing her saying, I never wanted anyone else. That pleased him more than it should. They'd only been with each other. Did she still feel that way? And if she did, was she ready to marry him?

His prayers so far had gone unanswered. He didn't know what to do, but if God intended for them to be a family, that's what would happen. He wasn't rushing this time, but he couldn't help but wonder if God's silence meant that his future was meant to be with Meredith.

Dinner smelled good, and his stomach let out a growl that had his face heating. He shifted, feeling out of sorts. "Hope I didn't take too long."

With a small gasp, Dani lifted her chin at the sound of her voice. The way she looked at him made his chest ache. He cleared his throat, feeling warm even though he'd put on athletic shorts and a dry-fit shirt.

"Not at all." She glanced away, a pretty blush on her cheeks. "Jacob was telling me jokes."

Tilting his head, he tossed a stern look at his son.

Jacob grinned. "Not the ones Uncle Tanner says. I only told her the ones you like."

"That's a relief." He made an exaggerated gesture of wiping his brow and sighing.

Jacob laughed and Dani smiled.

"Do you need me to come back in the morning?" she asked, picking up her purse from the granite countertop.

She seemed uncomfortable and he thought it had something to do with their gut-wrenching conversation before Jacob interrupted. She wasn't holding back. He'd give her that. Her honesty was as refreshing as it was painful.

"If you don't mind, I have a project I'll need to wrap up tomorrow." He frowned when she put her purse over her shoulder like she was leaving. "You're not staying for dinner?"

She wouldn't look at him. "I, uh, I didn't think. I mean I wasn't sure if—"

"Of course, you're invited. You cooked it. We'd like you to say. Sit down, please," He motioned to the table. "I'll get you something to drink. Sweet tea?"

"You remember. Yes, thank you." She clutched her purse like she was debating whether or not to make a run for it.

"Your addiction to the stuff would be impossible to forget." He tossed her a smile.

She nodded, seeming tense.

"Are you nervous, Dani?"

"What?" Her gaze lifted and she laughed. "No," she drawled.

"Cause you seem nervous."

"I told Mom she was invited, Dad." Jacob pointed to the table. "I even put out a plate for her."

"That was very polite of you, son. You did good."

Jacob beamed at the praise.

Stepping up to the table, he pulled a chair out for Dani and she stared at it like it might bite her. "You can keep holding that purse if it makes you feel better."

She glanced down as if suddenly realizing she had her purse against her chest. Sliding it from her shoulder, she tossed it onto the counter and it disappeared into a small wicker basket.

"Wow! Great shot!" Jacob was impressed. "Do you play basketball?"

Her mouth parted and she blinked at the basket like the shot had surprised her. "Only with coconuts. I was never as good as your dad."

The bittersweet memory of their time on the beach tossing coconuts into a hole they'd dug in the sand made him smile. "Caleb was the coconut ball champion."

"Yeah, and he never let us forget it. He even made a crown of leaves and danced around the fire." At last, her pink lips lifted in a smile.

"Uncle Caleb has a crown?"

"Of leaves." His gaze slid to Dani and lingered. "Are you sitting milady or do we all stand?" he gently teased.

"Milady!" Jacob repeated giggling.

Dani sat. "Since you ask so nicely kind, sir."

"I wouldn't want my hospitality questioned," he said continuing their playful banter. "Would you like me to get you a leaf crown or should we just eat?"

Her eyes sparkled. "I always knew you were jealous of that crown."

"Never say so, milady. I'm jealous of no one." Josh spoke with a dramatic flair and hit his chest with his fist.

"You guys sound silly! Hos-pit-ally?"

"Hos-pit-al-ity," Dani sounded out. "It means being nice to guests."

They sat down and he said the blessing, and they ate dinner like a family. Talking about their days as if they'd done this a thousand times before.

There were smiles instead of tension, jokes and laughter, and happiness. It was as if they were complete, and he felt at peace. Is this your will, Lord?

The doorbell rang once they started clearing the table. Dani insisted on doing the dishes even though he told her she was a guest.

"I'll get it. Help your mom clean up."

"Yes, sir." Jacob rushed to the counter and stepped on the stool at the sink to dry.

Josh opened the door and frowned, but quickly replaced the unhospitable expression with a smile. "Julie. How nice to see you."

She lifted her chin, looking surprised he'd answered the door which was strange. He lived here.

"I came to see, Meredith," she announced coolly. "I know she usually dines with you."

"Yeah. She does, but not tonight. Mer went to see her parents this afternoon."

"Oh." Julie frowned. "Well, I suppose I'll have to speak to you alone." She seemed put out. Annoyed.

He lifted a brow at her. "Would you rather come back when Mer's here?"

"Nonsense. I'm here. You're here." She said nothing else.

They stood there for an awkward moment.

"Would you like to come in?" he asked.

Silence.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, Julie moved past him and he caught a whiff of her thick perfume. Dressed in heels and an expensive-looking pantsuit, she looked like she was meeting the CEO of major company.

"Have a seat, please." He gestured to the sofa.

Her face crinkled in distaste at his oversized leather furniture. Very cautiously, she sat on the edge of a chair her back super straight. From her expression, it appeared as though she feared his common furniture would ruin her fancy clothes. He resisted the urge to ask her if he could get her a towel to sit on.

"We were just finishing up dinner. Would you like something to drink?"

"No, I'd rather get this business done."

"Suit yourself." He wasn't sure what business they had, but he was in full agreement with getting it done quickly.

"Are you going to just stand there?" she snapped.

He sat, biting back a sarcastic response that would not serve God.

"Meredith isn't pleased with me even though I have her best interest at heart," Julie announced, flipping her styled hair over her shoulder.

After a long pause, he wondered if there was more to this. He checked his watch.

"Oh, alright," she huffed. "My behavior at the game was questionable."

He arched a brow.

"Fine. It was unacceptable. I'm embarrassed, but Mer's my friend. I plan on being the maid of honor at your wedding so I hope you'll forgive me."

"Of course, Julie." He glanced toward the kitchen. "We all make mistakes."

"Hey, Dad, I dried the dishes for Mom!" Jacob ran into the living room followed by Dani, who stopped short when she saw Julie.

"Well, well, well." Julie's eyes widened, zeroing in on Dani like a laser. "Is this one of your mistakes, Josh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said easily, mindful of his son listening. "I've accepted your apology. Is there anything else I can do for you, Julie?"

"Please," she snapped with disgust. "You didn't like how I treated your ex, and now she's having dinner with you and Jacob. What's going on here Josh?"

Seeing the pain on Dani's face, he tensed. "Nothing that you're thinking. It was dinner."

Julie stood abruptly. "Does Meredith know?"

"Mer's the one who asked Dani to pick up Jacob today and come over." Josh kept his voice steady and calm.

"Clearly, she's lost her mind."

"What's wrong?" Jacob asked, frowning.

"Grown-up stuff. Nothing for you to worry about, cutie." Julie's gaze softened when she spoke to Jacob before glaring first at Josh first and then at Dani. "You should be ashamed of yourselves. I'm calling Meredith."

Julie stormed out the door.

Josh's gaze caught Dani's stricken expression and he felt her pain as if it was his own. Lord God, what were they going to do?