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put his finger to the glass. “When they finish the tadpole stage they still have to be very careful. They feel independent, but they can get in trouble pretty quick if they go too far from the edge of the water.”
    Cole gave a serious nod and peered into the glass. “I like the light green one.
    He’s the big brother.”
    “Oh.” Ashley swapped a look with Landon but hid her smile. “I’ll bet that spotted one’s the little brother.”
    Cole looked closer still. “Yeah.” He lifted his eyes to hers. “How’d you know?”
    “See that?” She pointed to the frogs. “The light green one never stops looking at the spotted one. Because he would never let anything happen to his little brother.”
    “Yep.” Cole puffed out his chest just enough to notice. “That’s how big brothers are.”
    “That’s sure how you are, Coley.” Landon messed up their son’s blond hair. “How about you go put ‘em back so they don’t get too scared.”
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    “Yeah, I was just thinking that.” He raised the glass and looked through the bottom. “They have the cutest feet, Mommy.” He lowered the container, leaned close, and kissed Devin on the cheek. “Just like baby Devin.” Then he was off, racing through the house and out the patio door.
    When the door closed, Landon sat on the edge of the chair arm and chuckled.
    “That boy and his frogs. There’s nothing better in all the world to him.”
    “Except having a brother.” Ashley turned her attention to Devin and dabbed a soft rag against the corners of his mouth. She lifted him onto her shoulder and patted his back. “He loves having a brother.”
    “He does.” Landon stroked the back of Devin’s fuzzy head. Then he ran his fingers through Ashley’s. “What I was saying earlier …”
    Ashley thought. “About independent frogs?”
    “No.” Landon laughed. “About watching you be a mother.” His look went deeper, beyond the light and easy surface. “Oh.” She pressed her cheek to Devin’s.
    “Right.”
    “And you said you wish Cole could’ve had you like this.” Landon’s tone was kind.
    “I do.” It was her one regret about Cole’s early years.
    “But here’s the truth.” He touched her cheek. “He does have you like that. Cole.
    . . when he’s older… will have nothing but amazing memories of you, Ashley.
    You’re the best mom.” He came closer and kissed her. “I loved you when we were in high school, but after I saw you with Cole-” Landon looked toward the backyard, where Cole had run off to, then at her again- “that’s when I knew I wasn’t stopping until you were mine.”
    It was another one of those moments, the ones Ashley noticed all the time now.
    When she would have to draw a breath and hold it just to feel the pressure in her lungs, just to know that she was alive and awake and not dreaming. Landon really was here, and they were raising two amazing little boys. Times 16
    like this she was sure she wouldn’t have survived the past few years without him.
    But then, that had been God’s gift to her, allowing Landon and her to be together despite all the odds they’d faced. Despite her pride and doubts, despite the threat of death and distance and disease, here they were. She put her hand alongside his face. “Thanks for chasing me, Landon.”
    He stood and stuck out his chest, much like Cole had done a few minutes earlier.
    “Yeah, well … deep down I knew it was really the other way around. That you were chasing me.”
    She giggled. “Was I that obvious?”
    “Honestly? I’m not sure.” His teasing faded, and he kissed her longer this time.
    “Because you’re right. I was too busy running after you.”
    “Oh, okay.” She flashed him a flirty look. “The truth comes out.”
    He straightened and held his hands up in mock surrender. “You got me.” He looked at his watch and did a dramatic gasp. “You almost made me forget! It’s Saturday!” He hurried out of view toward the patio door. She heard the