“I’m happy that you’re mine. That we found our way back to each other. And I’m happy that we’re expecting this baby.”
“I’m glad you’re happy. I live to make you happy. To make us happy. And eventually make this little one happy. When do you want to tell people?”
“Can we wait until I’m twelve weeks? I want to at least be out of the first trimester.”
“We can do whatever you want, beautiful. Why did you come in here?”
“I wanted to remember this room as hers one last time before we change it. I wanted to remember what we should’ve had before we erase this part of us.”
“We’ll never erase her from our hearts. She’ll always be in there,” he reminded me as he pulled me in for a hug.
I knew he was right, but it was still hard. I didn’t know if I could take all of this down. I may have to get someone else to do it for me. I couldn’t ask him to do it alone. But I didn’t know if I would break down with each item we boxed away that would’ve been hers.
“I don’t want to find out what we’re having. I know it helps with buying things and planning, but I want to be surprised when he or she is born. I also don’t want to tell anyone the names we pick out. I want him or her to have a grand entrance of sorts when we tell everyone what name we’ve picked.”
“Anything you want.”
“Just like that. I thought you’d fight me on finding out.”
“I like the idea of being surprised. It’ll be hard not to find out and wanting to know, but we can do it. And we can get anything pink or blue after the baby is born.”
“Thank you for giving me this. It’s what I need,” I admitted.
“You don’t have to thank me. We’re in this together.”
CHAPTER 19
Ainsleigh
T he past two weeks flew by. I learned so much from Loretta, and I felt comfortable taking over the ranks. She stayed an extra week just to make sure she felt I was ready. Today she said goodbye and retired to spend time with her lovely grandchildren.
“You’re going to do an amazing job, Ainsleigh. I have complete faith in you,” Loretta said as we shut down the computer.
“I only hope I can fill your shoes. You’ll be missed, that’s for sure.”
“You’ll fill them and then some. You’re savvy, and you have something that no one else your dad interviewed had,” she replied as she picked up the box she refused to let me carry and we walked to the door.
“What’s that?” I asked as I shut off the lights and entered in the alarm code.
“A love and passion for this place and this land. You’ll sell the place to anyone looking to come here. You have so much knowledge since you helped with the tours. I remember when you had just turned fourteen and demanded your father let you help with the tours like he let your brothers. You’ll do just fine, dear.”
I teared up as she shut and locked the door for the last time and handed me the keys.
“Call me if you need anything. You have my number. Use it if you need it,” she said as she pulled me in for a hug.
I would not cry. I would not cry.
“And tell your parents soon about the little one that’s coming. They’ll be over the moon happy,” she said as she pulled back with her hands still on my shoulders.
“How?” I asked, wondering how she’d so easily figured out my secret.
“I have my ways. You’ve been sick a couple of mornings. And you look tired right after lunch. That’s when I used to need a nap when I was pregnant with my first child. It wasn’t hard to put two and two together.”
“I’ll tell them soon. In five more weeks, I’ll hit the twelve-week mark and I’ll tell them then,” I promised.
“I understand your need for waiting, but your daddy isn’t dumb, and he’ll figure it out soon enough.”
I nodded and pulled her in for one last hug. My parents made sure to provide lunch today and a cake as a farewell. I had a feeling my dad couldn’t be here to see her off because she’d always had a soft spot in his heart. He hated telling anyone goodbye. Especially me four years ago.
She got in her car and waved her hand out the window as she drove down the driveway. I’d miss her terribly, but she was an amazing teacher, and I couldn’t wait to run this office starting next Monday.
I pulled my laptop bag up on my shoulder as I walked over to the four-wheeler and climbed on.
A short drive later, I pulled up in front of the barn where Gentry was using the water hose to rise off his hands and arms.
“Hey there, handsome,” I said as I parked and shut off the vehicle.
“You look happy today. How was it at the office? I tried to finish up so I could meet you over there, but that didn’t happen.”
“It’s okay. I’m here now. You ready to head home?”
“I’ll never get tired of hearing that. Dylan texted me a little bit ago. He and Aspen got some great news today. They both found jobs and want to celebrate when we get there.”
I poked out my lip and pouted. My best friend didn’t even text me to tell me the news.
“Don’t give me that look. She wanted to be the one to tell you when you got home. So act surprised, okay?”
He knew me too well.
I wrapped my arm around his waist once he finished drying off, and we walked to his truck and drove home.
It was so hard to not say anything as we walked inside the house to the smell of something amazing. My stomach growled, and Gentry laughed beside me as we walked toward the smell.
“Yay! You’re home!” Aspen squealed as she threw the towel down on the table and walked over to me.
“And something smells delicious,” I laughed as I wrapped my arms around her to return the hug.
“What’s the occasion? Not to say I’m not thrilled to walk in to dinner being cooked,” I joked as she pulled away from me and went over to the stove.
“Dylan, get in here. They’re home,” she yelled as she stirred something in the pot.
He came rushing around the corner with a big grin on his face as he walked up behind her and hugged her.
“Can you guys spill it already?”
“We found jobs in town.
“That’s great. Where will you both be working, and when do you start?”
“We both start Monday. It’s kinda funny actually. We interviewed at the same offices. We have the same degree so we knew we’d have to compete for jobs. He got a job at the office I wanted, and I got a job at the office he wanted. We’re going to be legal assistants at law offices in town.”
“That’s pretty funny. I’m so proud of you both.”
“Yeah, it’s been crazy with having to get our license information and car registrations changed and also job hunting. We’d honestly thought it’d take longer than it did, but we got lucky,” Dylan replied as he set the table.
Gentry and I both took our seats as we waited for them to reveal what smelled so good.
She finally carried over the dishes, and I knew from the brief look at what was inside what she’d made.
“You made chicken parm?” I said as I teared up. I loved her chicken parmesan.
“You don’t have to cry over it. I knew how much you loved it when we were in Virginia, and I wanted to do something nice for y’all since you’ve been so generous to us.”
“You don’t have to thank us. We consider you family,” I told her as I scooped some up on my plate without waiting for anyone else to make their move.
“How are your parents taking the move, Dylan?”
His parents took the news hard when he went home to get everything settled. They took a few extra days to return since he had to convince them this was what he wanted to do. They’d just returned last week.
“They still Skype me every day. I know it’s hard on them with me being gone. I’ll do anything to make sure they keep their sanity until they get use to the move.”
He loved his parents with all of his heart. I looked up from my plate to ca
tch Aspen smiling as she took a bite of food. I knew it warmed her heart to see how much he loved his family.
“What about yours, Aspen?”
“They were fine with it, surprisingly, and half expected it. They knew I didn’t want to be away from you and that you were returning to Colorado.”
“That’s a shock. I thought they’d fight you on it,” I told her.
“They knew better than to try to change my mind. I’ve always been the type of person that once I set my mind on something, there was no changing it.”
“Don’t we know it,” Dylan and I said at the same time.
“Have you thought anymore about telling your parents early?”
I had. It killed me to keep this all from them.
“I have. I wanted to wait until twelve weeks, but Loretta said something to me today and it got me to thinking.”
“What’d she say, baby?” Gentry asked as he placed his fork on his plate and reached over, grabbing my hand within his.
“She said my daddy wasn’t stupid and would figure it out before I got the chance to tell him. I’m sure he’ll be in the office a little more the next couple of weeks to make sure I’ve gotten the hang of things.”
“She knows?” he questioned.
“She does. She won’t say anything, though. She figured it out since I’d gotten sick a few times and was tired around the middle of the day.”
“You’ve been sick? Why didn’t you tell me?”
He sounded sick with worry.
“It’s just a little morning sickness. Nothing to worry yourself over.”
“You still should’ve told me. Together, remember?”
He was so damn cute sometimes.
“Yes, dear. I’ll tell you next time. If there’s a next time,” I sassed him.
“You’re not being cute like you think you are. I’m serious. I want to know everything,” he warned with a serious look. One that he loved to give me to let me know he meant business.
“I’ll tell you. Promise. Now can we not talk about my morning sickness while we eat. I’d rather talk about how they feel about working at offices that the other one wanted,” I said with a laugh as I took another bite of food.
We finished eating our food, and the guys went into the other room to hang out and watch some television while Aspen and I cleaned up dinner.
“Thanks for dinner. You’re a great friend. It was so good.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks for letting us live here. We both love it out here.”
“How are y’all doing? Are you okay with sharing a room together? I didn’t even think about that when I offered you the room.”
“We’re great. It was odd at first going from friends to more, but we’re taking everything slow. He’s so sweet and attentive. He hasn’t pushed me to go farther than I’m ready for. He holds me every night as we fall asleep. He’s the perfect gentleman. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop to wake up from this dream.”
“He’s a great guy. And you’re not dreaming. You’re wide awake and deserve all the happiness in the world. I’m glad that you’re happy.”
“Thank you for saying that. It’s new territory for me, but I’m working through it with him. And he’s extremely patient. More patient than I deserve.”
“You deserve the world. Let him take care of you. It’s what he needs.”
“I’ll try,” she replied as we dried the last dish and put it away.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a shower and bed,” I told her with a yawn. It was barely eight at night, and I was ready to crash.
“You go do that. We’ll lock up for the night.”
“Night, Aspen,” I told her as I went in search for Gentry.
She said she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Well, so was I. I had my friends and family here. Gentry and I were back together with a baby on the way. Life seemed as perfect as it could be. But could it be this easy to be this happy? I had to keep reminding myself to not have those thoughts. Even if I had a feeling that something was coming neither of us were prepared for.
CHAPTER 20
Ainsleigh
“M y parents have invited all of us to dinner tonight. I’ve already told Dylan and Aspen,” I told Gentry as I pulled up in front of the barn.
“Your dad and brothers mentioned it earlier,” he told me as he pulled me in for a hug. His skin had darkened so much since I arrived. Working long hours in the sun would do that to anyone, and I had to say tan looked so sexy on him.
“I wanna tell them tonight,” I confessed. I couldn’t take keeping the secret any longer. I’d waited a week after Loretta left. Seven days was all it took for me to give in. My next appointment was in a few days. If something bad happened at least they’d all be there to help us through the loss.
Gentry laughed as he hugged me tighter.
“I knew you wouldn’t make it the full amount of time. I’m shocked you waited this long,” he told me as he pulled back and placed a kiss on my lips.
“Let’s go upstairs in the barn so I can wash up before dinner. I’m a sweaty mess.”
“I like you being a sweaty mess, though,” I replied as I followed him through the barn door and up the familiar flight of stairs to his old room.
“Good to know,” he replied as he pulled of his white t-shirt and tossed it my way.
As he showered I sat on the bed and lifted my shirt to look down at my stomach. There wasn’t a difference there yet, but I knew there soon would be.
Lifting my hand, I traced my fingertips over my flat stomach and imagined it growing bigger with time. I loved being pregnant before. Until everything changed.
I shivered at the memory as Gentry came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and another in his hand as he ran it over his head to dry his hair.
I tried to quickly replace my shirt, but he saw me.
“What’cha doing?” he asked as he walked over and knelt in front of me.
“Just thinking about how I’m going to look pregnant again. I’ll probably get more stretchmarks and have a worst scar than before from another cesarean.”
He lifted my shirt and whispered something I couldn’t quite hear before he placed a kiss right above my navel. He then began to trace his fingers over the now faint stretchmarks that I’d gotten while carrying Arabella.
“These marks are beautiful. They remind me of the life we created together. This scar,” he said as he pulled down the top of my shorts to reveal where it was on my lower stomach.
After he placed another kiss over the scar, he continued. “This scar reminds me of the birth of our daughter. However traumatic, it reminds me that she did exist. I don’t see ugliness when I look at them. I see the love we shared as we created our perfect angel. The love we shared as we created another. I can’t wait to see your stomach grow and feel our child move within.”
Damn this man and his words. The tears fell before I could stop them.
I needed to get a grip on these hormones before they became the death of me.
“Don’t cry. I didn’t say any of that to upset you,” he said as he wiped the tears away.
“They’re happy tears. You always know what to say and what I need to hear.”
“I just speak the truth.”
He threw on a pair of loose fitting jeans and a Courtright Ranch t-shirt after he’d kissed me on my forehead and told me he loved me. We put his clothes from the day in a plastic bag and carried them to his truck before we headed to the backdoor of the house.
“You sure you want to tell them? We can always wait a few more weeks.”
“I’m sure,” were the only words I spoke as I reached for his hand.
We walked into the house to a table filled with people and the dinner my mother prepared.
Garlic bread and spaghetti.
Everything should’ve smelled delicious. But the smell of garlic made my stomach roll.
I rushed past Gentry with my hand covering my mouth and
ran down the hall, emptying the contents of my stomach into the toilet. I’d barely made it there.
Resting my head on the seat, I took a moment to collect myself. Familiar hands pulled my long blonde hair off my neck and placed a cool wash cloth on my neck.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Garlic doesn’t smell so good today. Last week I was fine with the chicken parm. Today, not so much.”
He helped me stand, and I rinsed my mouth out with some mouthwash.
“You okay to go in there?” Gentry asked, his expression full of concern as I looked at him in the mirror above the sink.
“I think so. We’ll see,” I replied as I turned around to walk out the door.
On shaky legs, I walked into the room hoping that no one looked at me funny.
They were all talking about the upcoming weekend when we entered. Dylan and Aspen fit right in, in my absence. They loved my family as much as my family loved them. I had no doubt in my mind this would happen, though. Everyone seated at the hand-carved wooden table was loveable in their own way. Even Brooks.
“What’s wrong with you, squirt? You look a little pale,” Holden asked from across the table as Gentry and I sat down.
“I’m okay. My stomach’s been a little upset today. I thought the worst was over. Apparently not,” I replied. It wasn’t a complete lie. I wanted to enjoy dinner first before I laid out the news for everyone.
“How far along are you, Ainsleigh?” my father asked from his spot at the head of the table.
“What?” I asked, barely getting the words out.
“I’ve paid more attention than you realize. The past few weeks, I’ve noticed a change in you. The crackers you always have on hand. The trips to the bathroom after you eat some mornings. The tiredness in your eyes when the day is almost over. I’m a man, but I’m not blind,” he spoke as he placed his fork down on the table.
“Um… I wanted to wait until after dinner,” I said as I grabbed Gentry’s hand.
“We’re seven weeks along,” Gentry replied for me. I couldn’t seem to develop the words. I thought I was prepared to reveal the news. But when my father asked the question, everything disappeared from my mind.
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