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wished she could take back the words when she saw hurt in Mel’s eyes.
    â€œI shouldn’t be showing much by the end of July. Lots of women are still small at sixteen weeks.”
    â€œJuly?” Kristy interrupted. Her voice raised an octave. “Have you lost your mind?”
    The room fell silent as the guys turned and stared at her. Tim seemed to hold his breath. Joel leaned closer to his dad, who looked down at his hands.
    â€œNo, Mom,” Mel whipped out. “We’re not crazy.”
    Leah and Wade walked into the room. They seemed to sense the tension as they looked at each of them. Leah sat beside Tim, which meant Wade had no choice but to sit beside Kristy. Ignoring the thrill that shot through her at his nearness, Kristy fired back, “Where do you plan to live?”
    Leah took Tim’s hand and crossed her long, toned and tanned legs. “My parents own some rental property. It just so happens they have a small two-bedroom house that will be available the first of July. Of course they’re going to give their only granddaughter reduced rent until she and Joel get on their feet.”
    Their only granddaughter. The words sliced through Kristy like a knife through soft butter. “Even reduced rent costs.” She looked from Mel to Joel. “Just how do you intend to pay your bills?”
    Chuck cleared his throat. “Joel’s gonna be working for me full-time, starting this week. He’s already registered for his training. Always planned to take over my business one day.”
    â€œAnd I’ve got a couple of kids signed up to take piano lessons,” said Mel as she lifted her hand. “And before you say anything, they’re going to come here, to Dad’s house, until we get a piano set up in our place.” She glanced at Joel with a look full of love and adoration.
    Kristy didn’t want to be the bad guy, but they needed to understand this whole situation would be much more challenging than they expected. Things wouldn’t simply fall into place for eighteen-year-old, barely-out-of-high-school parents. She opened her mouth, but Tim spoke first.
    â€œBefore you say it, Mel and the baby will be able to be on my insurance until Joel is able to take some out for the family. I’ve already checked.”
    She pinched her lips together. They’d all thought of just everything. What about the fact that they were too young, that Mel had the brains, the potential to take any career path she wanted? She glanced from Mel to Joel again, imploring them to see reason. “A month and a half is so fast. Don’t you two want to take a little time? Make sure this is the right choice.”
    â€œI don’t want to be showing when I walk down the aisle,” Mel huffed, and crossed her arms.
    Well, that just proved her maturity. Kristy had heard the same tone and witnessed the same motion every time her daughter threw a tantrum as a child. And given how frazzled her daughter had been with Noah the week before, she definitely needed practice with babies.
    Joel cleared his throat, but his voice still squeaked when he spoke. “We don’t want to upset you, Ms. Phillips, but Mel and I want to go ahead and get married.”
    Mel curled her lip. “Besides, I’m almost eighteen, and I can do—”
    Joel placed his hand on Mel’s arm. “We want you to be part of this with us.”
    Kristy pursed her lips. She had to give the boy credit for his effort in keeping peace between her and Mel.
    He offered a quick nod. “Pastor Wade,” Joel said, “we’re hoping for July 27. Does that date work for you?”
    â€œWhat?” Kristy slapped her palms on the table and implored her child. “What about Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Kaitlyn? They won’t be able to see you get married.”
    â€œMaybe they can work something out,” Mel said. “It’s the date Joel and I want to have, and the