“In here,” the woman said. “Calm. You hear me? She doesn’t need any excitement.”
He brushed past the woman into the dimly lit room. Annabeth lay on her left side, her hands resting on her stomach. She had a belt around her belly and the room was filled with a strange alternating, static-sounding beat. She looked so still, thin and fragile. As though he could break her by touching her.
He crossed the room and bent low, pressing kisses along her brow. “Annabeth?”
She turned, her eyes fluttering open. “Ryder?” Her chin crumpled.
“I’m here, Princess.” He sat on the bed, resting his forehead against hers. “Just let me stay.”
Tears spilled from her beautiful hazel eyes and down her cheeks.
“I love you, Annabeth. I love you.” His hands tangled in her hair. “Don’t ask me to leave you, because I can’t. Whether or not you think you need me, I know I need you. I can’t lose you.”
She was crying, hard sobs racking her body.
“Shh.” He held her close, his eyes burning. “What do you need? Tell me, whatever it is—let me do something.”
She slipped her arms around his neck. “Stay.”
He relaxed, melting against her. He was on the verge of tears, but he had to be strong. Together, they could handle whatever was happening. As long as he had her, it would be okay. He kissed her, cupping her cheeks, rubbing her tears away. “What did the doctor say? What happened?”
“I stood up—” she sniffed “—and got so dizzy. I guess I fainted.”
He frowned, kissing her forehead, then her cheeks. He didn’t want to think about her lying on the ground. “Why’d you do something like that?” he tried to tease.
She laughed, stroking his face with her hand. He covered her hand with his, pressing a kiss to her palm.
“I wasn’t there to catch you,” he murmured, his voice gruff.
“I’m sorry, Ryder—”
“Shh, we’ll figure this out.” He kissed her again. “You know why I call you Princess, Annabeth?” She shook her head. “That’s how I see you. Like a princess from a bedtime story. Sweet, giving, smart and funny. A good woman. Beautiful in every way.” He smoothed her hair back again. “Better than anything I’ll ever deserve. But everything I’ve always wanted. Calling you Princess helps me remember how special you are. And how damn lucky I am.”
She was staring at him with round, damp eyes.
“It’s going to be okay. Doc Meyer will know what’s wrong—”
“Probably looking at pre-eclampsia,” a voice from behind them announced.
Ryder barely moved. “Doc Meyer,” he said.
“Ryder.” Doc Meyer checked the monitor, flipped through Annabeth’s chart, then sighed. “How are you feeling Annabeth?”
“Tired,” she answered.
“I need to examine her, Ryder, so you’ll have to move.” Doc Meyer put his hands on his hips.
Ryder stood, but didn’t let go of Annabeth’s hand—no way anyone would make him let go of her.
Doc Meyer sighed again, but there was a small smile on his face. “We’re going to check on the twins. Heartbeat sounds good.”
Ryder realized that was what the static thumping was and smiled down at Annabeth. She looked so scared it tore his heart out. He crouched on the floor at her head, smoothed her hair back and kissed her forehead. “Everything’s gonna be okay. You hear me?”
She nodded once, her gaze locking with his. “I hear you.”
A nurse wheeled a cart into the room. He ignored everything but Annabeth, smoothing her hair, twining his fingers through hers, smiling at her. He hated feeling helpless.
“There we go.” Doc Meyer was pointing at the screen on the cart. “Looks like we have a boy...yes... A healthy boy, from the looks of him.”
Ryder stared at the screen, smiling at the image that greeted him. His son.
The screen went black, then another baby.
“And a daughter. One of each. She’s a tiny thing...but...she looks good, too...” Doc Meyer kept clicking buttons. “I’d say we’re pushing twenty-four weeks. Too early to deliver.”
Ryder had never felt such excitement and concern all at once. “And Annabeth?”
“Well...” Dr. Meyer looked over her chart again. “Could be pre-eclampsia. Could be diet or stress. Her BP was a little high when she came in, but it’s fine now. We’ll need to run a few tests to see for sure.”
“If it’s pre-eclampsia?” Annabeth’s voice was soft.
“Bed rest. Here or at home.” Doc Meyer looked at the two of them.
“Home, please,” Annabeth asked.
“Whatever Doc Meyer says, Princess.” He shook his head. “I’m not taking any chances with you.”
Doc Meyer cocked an eyebrow. “Let’s see what the tests say. We’ll need to get some blood. Annabeth, Nurse Garcia will help you to the restroom for a urine sample.”
“I’ll help,” he offered.
“They’re not going far, Ryder.” Doc Meyer peered at him over the rim of his glasses. “We’ll both be in earshot.”
He didn’t care what Doc Meyer said. He watched the nurse unhook Annabeth from several devices, help her into the wheelchair, then to the bathroom.
“You okay?” Doc Meyer asked Ryder.
Ryder closed his eyes, the enormity of the situation hitting him. “Just tell me what I have to do to keep her safe, Doc. Then I’ll be okay.”
Chapter Seventeen
Annabeth strolled down the stone patch and over the hill to the dock. She paused, soaking up the heat of the afternoon sun and the pure contentment she felt at the sight that greeted her. Ryder and Cody, side by side in straw cowboy hats and plaid shirts, each holding a fishing pole. Beside them sat two pairs of boots, Ryder’s tackle box and the picnic basket she brought to them hours before. She smiled, the sounds of their conversation growing louder the closer she got.
Seeing Ryder with Cody filled her with contentment. She had a family now, people who would always be there for her and Cody. All thanks to her husband. And tonight she would tell Ryder how much she loved him. She’d spent so much time being scared—finding excuses not to tell him the truth even after she knew he loved her. But she wasn’t afraid anymore. She loved him. She needed him. And she was thankful he was her husband. He should know that.
“Bigger the grasshopper, the bigger the fish,” Ryder was saying.
“And they aren’t slimy like worms,” Cody added, enunciating clearly.
“Never was much for worms,” Ryder agreed.
“Except for the ones you’d chase the girls around the playground with?” she asked.
They both looked up at her, wearing almost identical grins. Her heart thumped. She was one lucky woman.
“Well, now, that’s an entirely different use. A better use for a worm, if you ask me.” Ryder winked at her. “Remember that, Cody.”
She rolled her eyes. “Cody, Grandpa Teddy said your show was coming on?”
Cody and Teddy had taken to watching some car-restoration program together. Annabeth had tried to sit through it a few times, but ended up dozing off.
Cody nodded, reeling in his line. “Thanks, Ma.” He put his things away, pulled on his boots, gave her a quick hug and ran back to the Lodge.
“He’s going to hate moving back to the house.” Annabeth watched Cody go. There was room here, to run and play and be a boy.
Ryder packed his things up, glancing up at her. “He’ll be fine.” Ryder stood, stretching. He held out his hand to her. “Come here.”
She hugged him, smiling up at him. “Catch anything?”
“Just you.” He kissed her, laughing when an especially hard kick from the twins hit him in the stomach. “They’re feisty tonight.” He bent, speaking to he
r stomach. “You two go easy on your mom.” He grinned up at her. “Up for going out?”
She nodded. Nervous, but excited, too. “Getting a little stir-crazy. And Doc Meyer said I was fine. Clear for normal activities.” She pulled him up. “Are you trying to break our date?”
“No, ma’am.” Ryder stared down at her. “A whole night with my wife to myself? Not a chance.”
“Renata’s here, with pizza. Your dad found some car show marathon—poor Renata. And the bags are in the truck.” She took the hand he offered, following him back up the trail to the Lodge. “Still won’t tell me where we’re going?” She sighed when he shook his head. “Is it far?” The bigger she got, the harder it was to sit still for long periods of time.
“Not far.” He opened the back door into the Lodge.
She felt great, reenergized, more than ready to go back to work in a week. And very enthusiastic about a night with her husband. Ryder was still being extracareful with her, a little too careful with her. But she had high hopes for tonight.
Things had changed since that awful night in the hospital. Most importantly, Ryder loved her. He told her, regularly. And when he didn’t say it, he showed it in a way that left no room for doubt.
And, she’d taken the job—then immediately gone on a three-week leave of absence. Ken was all too happy to step in while she was getting the rest Doc Meyer said she needed. Rest and food. Her test results proved she was dehydrated and anemic, and several pounds underweight. Ryder, Cody and Teddy were relentless in their devotion to “fattening her up.”
She pressed a kiss to Cody’s forehead, thanked Teddy and hugged Renata before Ryder pulled her out the front door and into his truck.
“You in a hurry?” she asked.
“It’s getting late. We’re losing daylight,” he said, as if that explained anything.
“And daylight is necessary for...?” she teased, taking a moment to appreciate her husband’s strong profile.
He laughed. “You’ll see.”
Ryder drove into town, past the elementary school and toward her house. But instead of turning right, he turned left...and stopped in front of the Czinkovic place. The for-sale sign was gone and Ryder’s motorcycle was parked out front.
Annabeth stared out the window, frozen.
She was looking at Cody’s picture. From the fresh lilac-blue paint with bright white trim and detailed work to the shining stained-glass windows at the top of the gable. The porches, which had drooped sadly, were straight and level. Even the yard had been overhauled, blooming with yellow lantana, tulips and irises waving happily in the spring breeze.
She stepped out of the car, shock and joy leaving her speechless.
In the backyard, in the perfect tree-house tree, was Cody’s tree house. It had the winding staircase with a rope bannister and an elevator for Tom—just like his picture. She pressed a hand to her mouth, torn between laughing and sobbing. She couldn’t stop the tears that rolled down her cheek, or the joy that washed over her.
Several thumps from her belly and she looked down, running her hands over her belly. “You two are so lucky. You have the best daddy in the world.”
* * *
RYDER CLIMBED OUT of the truck, watching her with a full heart. The look on her face made every early morning and late night working worth it. He smiled as she said something to her stomach, her hands smoothing her yellow shirt into place. She walked to the tree house, her long hair and white skirts blowing in the breeze, as she circled the base of the tree. He followed her, equal parts excitement and anxiety. Trying to give the woman he loved her childhood dream was no small thing.
“You’re amazing.” Her voice shook, heavy with emotion. “It’s too much.”
“No, it’s not.” He brushed the hair from her shoulder.
She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. The swell of her belly brought out a fierce protectiveness in him. And a sense of peace he’d never felt before. That night, seeing her in that hospital bed, put everything into perspective. Annabeth and Cody were all that mattered—and the twins. No matter what, if he had them life was pretty damn good.
Her voice was muffled against his chest. “Cody is going to be thrilled.”
“I hope so. He’s gotten pretty attached to Dad.” Ryder breathed deep, drawing her scent in. “As much as I’d like to take all the credit, it was a family project. And my brothers had their own opinion on a lot of things. My dad, too.” But working toward this, building their family, had brought him closer to his dad than ever before. “Hope we got it right.”
“Are you kidding?” She looked up at him. “It’s perfect, Ryder.”
He grinned. He’d be content to stay just like this, holding her close. But there was more to show her. “We’re not done yet. Come on.” He let her go, then took her hand in his.
Each room had been completely redone. He’d refinished the floors, repaired the wiring, removed a few walls to open the place up and repainted every square inch. Once that was done, he’d brought over whatever furniture they could salvage from her house. He’d added a few new additions, like the china hutch that displayed her grandmother’s china.
“Made sure all the doors are handicap-accessible, too,” he murmured, watching the sheer amazement on her lovely face. “For Flo’s Sunday dinners. I figure we could rotate between here and the Lodge so Dad’s included.”
“Ryder...” She walked through the house, opening and closing cabinets and doors. He showed her downstairs, the things he’d pulled from Flo’s storage unit, her house and contributions from his family, too. It was truly their home.
He showed her the bed he and John had built for Cody from car parts. “It’s safe, no sharp edges, promise.” He ran his hand along the steering wheel. “Thought he’d get a kick out of it.”
“This is amazing. He will... He will flip.” She shook her head.
He led her down the hall to the babies’ room, pushing open the door. He’d asked Josie for help and his sister-in-law had delivered. The walls were covered in a gorgeous mural of fairy-tale castles and nursery-rhyme characters.
“A princess.” She glanced at one of the details.
He smiled broadly. “Of course.”
“So this must be you?” She pointed at the knight on a white horse.
Ryder shook his head. “Dad wanted you to know he made sure we followed the crib instructions. He hovered every second, double-checking our work. I thought Archer was going to pop a gasket.”
Annabeth was sniffing when she faced him. “Ryder, how...? When...?”
“Every spare second.” He shrugged.
“But...” She shook her head, looking around the nursery. “It’s so much work.”
“I don’t mind working.” He grinned. “I think we all enjoyed it.”
“It’s too much.”
“Not for you, Princess.”
She shook her head, her gaze traveling slowly over his face. “Since the night you proposed, you’ve done nothing but take care of me and Cody.” She paused. “No, since before that.”
He cupped her cheek, staring into her huge hazel eyes. “I’ve loved you a long time, Annabeth.”
Her eyes closed briefly. “I’m sorry.” She paused and his heart seemed to stop. “I’m so sorry I haven’t shown you the same love and respect you give me, every day.” She swallowed, covering his hand with hers. “But I’ll spend the next thirty or so years trying to make up for it, I promise.” A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. “It scares me how much I love you, Ryder Boone.”
His heart thudded against his chest, filling his body with real happiness. He’d wanted that for so long, but never dared to hope. Hope was a dangerous thing.
“But what scares me more is you not knowing that. I guess I was scared that telling you would change things. That it wou
ld scare you...or something. But now I know better. I trust you. I trust us.” She paused. “And I’m so glad you’re their father.” She put his hand on her stomach. “And Cody’s father.” She stood on tiptoe, twining her arms around his neck. His arms slid around her back. “I packed Option A. You’d mentioned burning it? Or shredding it. Your call. It’s not what I want.” Her gaze held his. “I know I can make it on my own. But, for the first time in my life, I don’t want to. I need you.” Her voice wavered. “I don’t have any way to show you what you mean to me, Ryder...nothing that compares to this.” She gestured to the house with one hand, holding on to his with the other.
He rested his forehead against hers, her words filling all the empty spaces in his heart. She needed him. She wanted him. She loved him. He had everything he’d always wanted. “Say it again,” he murmured, stooping to kiss her full lips.
“I love you,” she whispered, her hands cradling his face as she pressed kisses along his cheek and nose. “I love you.”
“I’d say that’s a mighty good place to start, Princess.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from THE BABY AND THE COWBOY SEAL by Laura Marie Altom.
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin American Romance story.
You love small towns and cowboys! Harlequin American Romance stories are heartwarming contemporary tales of everyday women finding love, becoming part of a family or community—or maybe starting a family of their own.
Enjoy four new stories from Harlequin American Romance every month!
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com
The Baby and the Cowboy SEAL
by Laura Marie Altom
Chapter One
Twins for the Rebel Cowboy Page 19