BONUS SCENE – Anything I Can Do 

by Mary Carson

40 Months Later

– Quinn

The fields were ready, and we’d be planting the strawberries soon. I walked down the rows in the field where Jasmine had picked her first strawberries, just checking everything out. It was hard to get my head around how much had changed since that time, and yet the seasons remained the same. 

Our biggest change was the one in front of us.

Jasmine pulled up in the Gator at the end of the row and gave me a little wave. It took her a second, but she got out, and then stood for a minute, her hand on the frame.

I dropped the dirt I had scooped up and wiped my hands on my jeans, making my way toward her. Just seeing her bright eyes brought a warmth to my stomach.

“I thought you were resting after your doctor’s appointment,” I said, as I got closer.

“Nesting is for the birds, literally. I had to get out of the house.”

“I said resting, not nesting. But aren’t you supposed to be doing that, too?”

I bent to kiss her, placing my hands on her stomach. Our baby was due in four months, and I couldn’t wait. Sometimes it felt like my heart would overflow. “And I’m sorry I missed it.”

I was glad Jasmine was so independent—it meant if some farming thing came up and I couldn’t be with her she didn’t mind being on her own. But I still hated not being there.

 She waved her hand. “It was no problem. You know I could practically sleep my way through anything to do with having a baby.” She placed her hands over mine. “I’ll start nesting as soon as I get through the final signoff of the new wing. I just want to have that squared away first.”

I pulled her into my arms for a hug, then slowly released her. The new wing meant so much to me—the whole family, in fact. I placed my hand on her cheek, and she leaned into it. 

“Jas. You know how happy this makes my mom.” Suddenly I had a hard time swallowing. “And what it would have meant to my dad.”

She smiled. “I do. I know everyone around here knows what your dad did to help his neighbors, but now his contribution will be permanent.” She took my hand and started walking away from the field. “Besides, don’t you think the Ian O’Connell Heart Care Wing just has a nice ring to it?”

I nodded and fought back tears. “You’re right. It does.”

Jasmine stopped walking and looked up at me. “I’m glad you like it. What do you think of just the name, Ian O’Connell? That’s got a pretty good ring to it, too, right?”

I gave my head a small shake. “I mean, yeah, it’s my dad’s name, it’s great. What do you…” My stomach flipped and I felt my eyes go big. Was she saying what I thought she was saying? “Jasmine. Is it a boy? Did you find out? Are we having a boy?” 

Jasmine’s smile got even bigger, and I grabbed my hat off my head and threw it into the air. “Yee-haw!”  I picked her up and swung her around and she laughed that incredible laugh of hers that I had fallen in love with way back when.

I set her back down and she reached up and wiped away the tear that had gotten away and had rolled down my cheek. I slipped her hand into mine and kissed her fingertips. “I think having another Ian around here is just what this place needs. You’re sure you want to name him Ian?”

“I am. It really does have a great ring.”

I laughed. “Wait’ll we tell Mom. This might make her happier than the medical wing.”

Jasmine pulled on my hand and we walked toward the edge of the field. “I think you might be right,” she said. “What do you think Liam will say?”

“Undoubtedly something about being the younger, smarter, more attractive—”

“Uncle!” We both said in unison, and laughed.

“Now, come on,” Jasmine said, “and help me pick some wildflowers. The daisies aren’t out yet, but I don’t need them. I don’t need to pull any petals off to find out he loves me.” 

And she was absolutely right.

The happiest.

 XOX

THE END

And of course, things aren’t really over…. 

Remember Quinn’s friend Jackson from the farm next door? Want to see what happens when he runs into Nashville music sensation Gia Nyx? Who just so happens to be his celebrity crush? 

Find out exactly what happens in Anything That You Need, a sweet, funny, fake relationship, age gap, Nashville country star/country boy, closed-door, romantic comedy available on Amazon (click here) now! (pre-order until Nov 14, ’23)

If you loved Jasmine and Quinn and Anything I Can Do, please consider leaving a five star review. Amazon (and me, too!) loves that! Just click here to leave a review – and thank you!