"Smile, you look like you're on your way to get a root canal," Mrs. Huckabee admonished. "You're going to have fun."

"I'm sorry."

Dani tore her gaze from the others going on the trip. They all stood around socializing, probably figuring out details, and catching up with Ty and Annie. Even Lindy and Charlie were standing with them. It was the couple standing with her son she was trying to avoid.

Meredith arrived and immediately hugged Josh and Jacob. They looked like a happy family. Dani glanced away, but she couldn't stop the jealousy burning inside her.

"I'll try to do better," she assured Bee. "You sure I don't need to take you home?"

"Course, I am. Here comes Savannah now. Get going," she urged. "I'll see you Thursday morning and you can tell me all about the trip."

Dani hugged her. "Pray for me."

"Goes without saying."

They were talking about who was going to ride with who when she walked up. She caught Rachel's uncertain look and realized she and Caleb hadn't worked everything out yet. At least they were together and trying.

Seeing her Jacob waved. "Mom and Meredith are riding with us, right Dad?"

She felt Josh tense and held back a smile. It was wrong, but she did take comfort in knowing he was experiencing the awkwardness of the situation. They hadn't spoken since he'd shocked her by saying they should get married, but Meredith was here. Had he changed his mind?

Looking up she found Josh's hot gaze fixed on her.

It was Parker who saved them. "Sorry, little man, but I'm going to need your mom to play referee with Tanner and me."

"Referee?"

"Yeah, to make Uncle Tanner is being nice to me."

"Ah, c'mon Parker, give me a break," Tanner complained. "We all know it's me that needs protection from you."

Caleb chuckled. "And here I thought Jacob and Charlie were the kids in the group."

Jacob thought this was hilarious. So did Charlie. Both boys doubled over with peals of laughter.

"Lindy and Charlie can come with us too," Parker suggested and Lindy's face lit up.

Her eyes filled with hero-worship. "I'll need to move the car seat," she said hesitantly. "It's not much trouble."

"I'll get it," Parker told her, seemingly oblivious to the adoring look he was getting from Lindy.

"Guess, we're ready to roll." Ty slid sunglasses on and took Annie's hand. She gazed up at him adoringly and he dipped his head and pressed a light kiss to her lips with a tender look in his eyes.

Dani wondered if everyone else felt the love between them like she did. Everyone seemed to be watching the newlyweds.

"You're coming with us?" Jacob asked excitedly.

"That's why we came home last night. We didn't want to miss this." Ty's arm went around Jacob and he ruffled his hair. "In case something exciting happens. Like we need to run for our lives." The last was said so quietly only the others heard it.

Annie gave Ty's arm a playful swat. Laughter and groans followed.

Caleb shook his head, smiling. "At least we can joke about it now."

"That's right," Parker agreed. "And it's only taken six years of therapy." His eyes shined with humor.

"What?" Lindy glanced around, confused. Meredith didn't seem to know what they were talking about either.

Caleb stepped up to explain. "Long story short. Our high-school senior trip went bad, but Ty and I saved everyone."

The group erupted into a chorus of jesting protests, no's, and a few laughs.

"Seriously," Tanner said, patting his chest. "Parker and I were the real heroes of the story." He winked at Lindy.

"What did my dad do?" Jacob asked, his brow furrowed curiously.

Caleb spoke without thinking. "He hung out with your mom."

That wasn't the whole truth. Josh had been quiet the hero too, but he stayed silent saying nothing to defend himself.

The teasing mood fizzled and everyone got quiet.

"We've missed you all," Annie said, noticing the tension and seeking to break the awkward silence. "This is going to be so much fun!"

Just like always her sweetness put everyone at ease.

"Yeah, yeah, why would you want to spend time with your beautiful new wife when you could sleep in a tent on the ground with us?" Tanner glanced at Ty, lips twitching.

"We're a family," Ty answered easily, looping his arm around Annie. Everyone got quiet, realizing he was right. They were a family. "Let's say a prayer before we start."

Dani bowed her head, feeling like this trip might be just what she needed after all.

***

"I've been thinking of how we should tell Jacob."

Josh glanced over at Mer, uneasily. This trip with her seemed more and more like a mistake. He glanced in the rearview mirror to see if Jacob was still sleeping. His boy did not need to hear this.

"I'll talk to him," Josh said quietly, seeing a flash of hurt in her eyes.

"I've been a part of his life for a year now. Do you want me to just disappear?"

His head ached. She was obviously angry, not that he blamed her. "No," he said, carefully. "But dragging this out is going to make it easier for anyone."

"Wow," she gasped softly. "You sound sure. I was hoping..." That he'd change his mind. She didn't that aloud, didn't need to. "Guess I was wrong."

He gripped the steering wheel tighter, feeling like the walls were closing in. The craving was fiercer today. Sweat dripped down his ribs.

What kind of man asks a woman to marry him and calls it off the next week?

See that gas station? There's a liquor store by it. It will soothe the edges.

Mer stiffened at his silence. "We should keep praying."

"Yeah, I agree." Josh was praying, almost nonstop.

"Josh, I know you're doing this because Dani is back."

"I never lied about that." He heard the defensive note in his voice and tried to soften his tone. "I told you I wanted to work things out with her if I could. She's the mother of my son."

"You did," she agreed a shimmer of tears in her eyes. "Have you asked her if she wants to marry you?"

Josh had expected her to call him. He'd told her he thought they should get married, and there had been complete silence from her. Sure, he could have called her but she knew how he felt. The decision was hers.

When he didn't answer, Meredith kept talking. "You're doing this because you think God would want you to be with your son's mother."

He gave a curt nod, unable to deny it.

"Don't you think you should make sure that's what she wants before you throw away what we have?"

Meredith had a point. Had he asked Dani what she wanted? No. He'd assumed she would want to marry him and be Jacob's mother because she regretted walking away the first time.

Dani had said it was selfish of her to come back. She'd said it wasn't just about what they wanted. She never gave him the slightest indication that she might want to marry him now and be a family.

"Think about it," Meredith whispered, thinking he was relenting.

They drove the rest of the way in silence.