Jamison Valley, #1
The Coppersmith Farmhouse
by Devney Perry
Contents
Chapter 21
Overview
On New Year’s Eve, a noisy kids’ sleepover strains Jess’s patience as Felicity and Noelle drop by. Maisy confides her pregnancy and Everett’s cold response. Later, Jess reveals he wants children with Georgia and accepts an offer to sell his house, planning an addition to the farmhouse. The chapter ends with Georgia seeing a mysterious light in the woods, foreshadowing danger.
Summary
On New Year’s Eve, Georgia hosts a sleepover for Rowen and friends. The girls’ nonstop karaoke drives Jess to drink and hide, and Felicity and Noelle arrive for a brief visit. While the girls play, Maisy calls, devastated that Everett reacted clinically to her pregnancy and urged an abortion.
Georgia invites Maisy over for comfort and advice, sharing her own experience of choosing motherhood and offering support. Together they consider possible outcomes with Everett, and Maisy warms to baby names, deciding to tell her family the next day.
After the house quiets, Georgia and Jess talk in bed. Jess initially tenses, thinking Georgia is announcing a pregnancy, then admits he wants children with her and already views Rowen as his own. They postpone intimacy due to the girls sleeping downstairs, reaffirming their bond.
The next day, Jess receives a cash offer from the man whose home was torched and decides to sell his house furnished, planning to use the proceeds for an addition to the farmhouse. A playful argument about money and his cooking ends with Georgia accepting the plan and baking cookies.
That night, while doing dishes, Georgia glimpses a brief flashlight-like flare deep in the winter woods. Assuming it’s nothing, she says nothing to Jess. The narration closes on her regret for ignoring the sign, foreshadowing trouble.
Who Appears
- Georgia (Gigi)Hosts New Year’s sleepover; counsels Maisy; confirms future children with Jess; agrees to a farmhouse addition; notices a suspicious light.
- Jess ClearyOverwhelmed by karaoke; bristles at family visit; wants children with Georgia; sells his house to fund a farmhouse addition.
- Maisy HoltArrives in tears after Everett suggests abortion; discusses baby names; plans to tell her family; leans on Georgia’s support.
- Rowen (Roe)Enjoys the sleepover and karaoke; innocently calls out Jess during a playful kitchen moment.
- Felicity (Lissy)Drops by on New Year’s; drinks champagne; her presence adds to Jess’s irritation.
- Noelle ClearyVisits with Felicity; kindly observes the children playing.
- EverettOffstage catalyst; responds coldly to Maisy’s pregnancy and suggests abortion, creating emotional conflict.