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wouldn’t be found out was beyond Alexis’s comprehension—and Alexis had no desire to cause trouble for any member of her new family. If she found the picture gone a second time, then she would tell PJ. Maybe.
    Alexis looked at her watch. PJ would be home soon. She so looked forward to seeing him at the end of the workday, even though most days he was able to dash into the office for a quick hello. I am lucky in more ways than one , Alexis thought, smiling to herself. I just hope I continue to deserve the happiness .

C HAPTER 8
    â€œC ongratulate your husband!” PJ was standing in the doorway of the cottage, a grin on his face.
    â€œCongratulations!” Alexis said. “Um, what for?”
    â€œWe got the contract. The one for the Joseph J. Stoker House!”
    â€œOh, PJ, that’s fantastic!” Alexis threw her arms around her husband’s neck and kissed him.
    â€œI still can’t believe we beat out Blue Sound Landscaping Design. It’s like a miracle.”
    â€œOr maybe you’re just supertalented,” Alexis said. “Did you ever think of that?”
    â€œIf anyone is the talent, it’s Grandpa. I’m just following in his footsteps.”
    He’s too modest , Alexis thought. Then again, it was one of the things she loved about her husband, that and his devotion to the family’s continuing legacy. She knew it hadn’t been easy for PJ when he had decided to move to Oliver’s Well to accept his grandfather’s offer of an official role in the family business. For one, his father hadn’t been pleased. Pat had told his son that he would be wasting his education, to which PJ, by his own account, had replied that no education was ever wasted, and that he had majored in American History. To PJ, the decision to build a life in a town founded in the seventeenth century made perfect sense. Who better to appreciate old architectural styles and indigenous landscaping? Who better to take over the family business than the grandson of Mary Bernadette Fitzgibbon, scion of the well-regarded Oliver’s Well Historical Association?
    â€œWhy didn’t your father join the family business?” Alexis asked now. “You never told me.”
    PJ shrugged. “It’s no big secret. He just wasn’t interested. I don’t think he ever liked living in Oliver’s Well. I’ve heard him say that before he was out of middle school he was dreaming of moving away.”
    â€œInteresting,” Alexis said. “Growing up in Philadelphia I never dreamed about moving away from home. I thought that I’d stay in Philly forever.”
    â€œAnd now, here you are in little Oliver’s Well.”
    â€œYes. Here I am.” For better or worse , Alexis added to herself. And that was yet to be seen, although so far, life in Oliver’s Well was turning out to be pretty good, and that was all because of her wonderful husband.
    â€œOh,” PJ said, “Grandmother wants us for dinner. I told her we’d be there no later than six.”
    Alexis frowned. “But I’ve already started prepping that Chinese beef dish you like. The meat is marinating in the fridge.”
    â€œI’m sure it can wait until tomorrow. After all, this is a celebration ! You know, I couldn’t have done it—gotten the job—without your support.”
    Alexis smiled. “Thank you. And you’re right, it is a celebration. I’m so proud of you, PJ.”
    â€œRemember, it’s really Grandpa we should be proud of. He’s the one who built the business into what it is now. He’s the one who made its good reputation. And I’m the one under the pressure not to let him down!”
    â€œYou can do it, PJ. I believe in you.”
    PJ put his arms around his wife’s waist and pulled her close. “You know, we don’t have to be at Grandmother’s until six. . . .”

C HAPTER 9
    P at and Megan