“I agree with you there,” Joseph told his friend.

“You’ve done well with your family, Joseph. I’m glad I’ve gotten to see how it’s grown,” Sherman said.

Joseph beamed at him, as he always did when anyone praised his family. There was a reason Joseph Anderson had done so well in life—it was because he was loyal and loving, something that couldn’t be said about too many people Sherman knew.

“Thank you, my friend. You’re doing pretty well yourself,” Joseph told him.

“Are you boys over here gossiping?”

Joseph instantly sat up a bit straighter as Katherine approached them.

“We were talking about what a lucky man I am to have wed you,” Joseph quickly said as he reached for his bride and gently pulled her down onto his lap to kiss her lips. “Every day I have with you is one more I thank God for.”

“You smooth talker, you,” she said, a rosy glow instantly showing up in her aged cheeks.

“I’m just telling it how it is, my Katherine.”

“You clearly have gotten yourself out of trouble,” she told him with a giggle. “Even though I’m sure you’re up to no good.”

She looked adoringly at her husband’s face, and Sherman could see the love they had for each other. It was a beautiful aura of pure goodness.

“I think I will leave you two alone,” he said as he slowly rose to his feet and looked around. He could hear Joseph and Katherine giggling as he walked away to the edge of the water and looked out at the gently lapping waves.

Losing his wife had stolen a piece of his soul, and there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t regret not doing more for her each day they’d been together.

Turning back around, his eyes sought out his nephews.

He found Cooper and Stormy snuggled up together on a hammock, their smiles obvious even from this distance as Cooper snuck in little kisses. Evelyn cradled their baby close to her chest nearby.

Nick was speaking to a pretty brunette over by the fire, her soft laughter drifting across the sand. This nephew was as reluctant as his brothers to settle down, but the boy sure loved to flirt with the ladies.

It wouldn’t be long before Sherman focused his attention on him.

Looking across the crowd of people, he couldn’t find Maverick anymore—or Lindsey. He sure hoped that was a good sign. Those two were meant to be together and everyone knew it.

With a smile, Sherman made his way up the trails to the huge Anderson mansion. His heart was full, and his body tired. It was time to call it a night.

Tomorrow would be a new day for them all.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

The big night was finally happening. The fund-raiser Lindsey had worked on side by side with Maverick was going off without a single hitch. The party planners had everything taken care of. More money was expected to be raised than in any other previous year, and Lindsey was standing in the immaculate ballroom wearing a dress she felt out of place in, wishing she were any other place on Earth.

Maverick was sure to be there, and she wasn’t sure how she was going to deal with seeing him. She’d told herself it didn’t have to be awkward, told herself they could be friends. But she had been foolish. It would be impossible to be only friends with the man she was hopelessly in love with.

“You are a vision.”

Groaning beneath her breath, Lindsey turned to find Dr. Stine looking pretty dang impressive himself in his custom tux. She wasn’t used to seeing any of the hospital staff in clothing other than scrubs. It was difficult to recognize some of them.

“You look great,” she told him with an attempt at a smile.

“I’m happy you came. I was disappointed when I thought you weren’t going to be here.”

“I was browbeat into coming,” she admitted.

“I was sort of hoping I’m the reason you decided to make an appearance. Then I might be able to talk you into a dance,” he happily responded.

“Dr. Stine . . .” she began when he held a finger up to her lips.

“We’re not at work. Don’t you think you can call me Jesse?”

She reached up and removed his finger. “I might slip at work if I start it now,” she said, but she gave him a smile. He was being very kind to her.

“If you say my name with a little pout at the end, then you can call me whatever you want,” he told her, his teeth showing as he chuckled at his own joke.

It took her a minute to get it. Then she actually laughed.

“I’m not playing doctor and nurse with you,” she said, feeling her spirits lift.

“But I have the perfect outfit in mind,” he promised.

She leaned in and gave him a hug. When she pulled back, she knew there was no chance she was going to date this guy. But she also had a feeling she’d just made a new friend—which in her opinion was so much better than going on a few dates and then feeling awkward around each other.

“Thank you for making me laugh. I can’t wait to see the woman who will bring you down,” she told him.

For the briefest of moments, disappointment flashed in his eyes, but then his smile returned.

“Whoever the guy is that let you get away is a fool. If he doesn’t figure it out soon, then I’m going to have to step up my game,” he promised.

“He’s definitely figured it out.”

She and Dr. Stine both turned to find Maverick standing behind them, looking so spectacular her breath was taken away. She’d seen him in a suit once, but the fitted tux hugged him in all the right places. It gave him a look of mystery she found she wanted to unravel.